The Ride Of Silence

On May 16, 2007, at 7:00 PM, The Ride of Silence™ began in over 300 cities in North America and rolled across the globe.

Cyclists took to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn't aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves. Every year over 700 cyclists are killed by crashes with automobiles in the United States alone.

In 2003, Chris Phelan organized the first Ride Of Silence in Dallas after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was hit by the mirror of a passing bus and was killed.

The 2003 Ride of Silence™ at White Rock Lake in Dallas drew 1,000 cyclists through word of mouth and email communication over a period of only ten days. There was no registration, no fees, no t-shirt. Local media reported the ride to be incredibly moving as these cyclists rode in silence, occasionally wiping away a tear or patting a friend on the back.