Tonight marks the annual Ride of Silence, a series of solemn bicycle ride throughout Orange County sponsored by the Bicycle Club of Irvine that seeks to remember local cyclists who were killed while riding. There is an OC Register article about the ride here and the Ride of Silence maintains a website here. The ride also seeks to raise awareness among motorists to be more mindful of cyclists. Sadly, since last year’s ride, 17 more cyclists have been killed on Orange County streets.
Some riders will wear red armbands signifying that they have been injured by motorists. Some will wear black armbands to show they’ve lost someone close. All will pedal slowly – no faster than 10 mph – in single or double file along designated 8- to 10-mile routes. Local motorcycle police will monitor traffic wherever this somber parade travels. … Unlike on the leisurely social trips when bicyclists ride next to each other and talk, nobody on this ride will utter a word. Their silence will be to honor the 17 who’ve died.
The Ride of Silence will begin at 7 PM tonight, with starting points in San Clemente, Irvine and Fullerton. Others around the County will ride in solidarity. According to the Ride of Silence website:
A pack of single file – silent riders – pacing out for 8 to 10 miles…
we will share this hour with each other, and know that
thousands across the planet will also have marked the hour in their own time zone;
but also raise awareness among the many local motorists
who will be witnesses of our sombre parade.
Below is a list of the 17 cyclists who have died in Orange County during the year since the last Ride of Silence:
Susan Stripko (June 2, Huntington Beach)
Chelsea Kashergen (June 20, Fullerton)
James Waller (June 28, Irvine/Laguna Beach)
Richard Paine (July 11, Fullerton)
Alberto Ramos (July 20, Stanton)
Debra Deem (Aug 27, Newport Beach)
Manuel Morales Rodriguez (Oct 30, Anaheim)
Michelle Lounsbury (Nov 4, Costa Mesa)
Paul Lin (Nov 6, Newport Beach)
Pete Tomaino (Dec 24, Laguna Hills)
Joey Robinson (Feb 2, Orange)
Matthew Liechty (Feb 19, Huntington Beach)
Alfanso Franco (Feb 20, Santa Ana)
Sean Severson (March 21, Fountain Valley)
Geneveve Hall (April 6, Huntington Beach)
Kathy Sieberhein (April 16, Huntington Beach)
Haitham Gamal (May 6, Dana Point)
Whether your are on a bicycle or in a car, be careful out there and share the road.
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