22-05-2025
Club hosts Ride of Silence to honor bicyclists killed
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Colorado Springs Cycling Club hosted a, 8.5 mile memorial ride on Wednesday, May 21 to honor bicyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roads.
Cyclists met at City Hall ahead of the 7 p.m. start of the ride. Organizers said the goal of the silent procession was to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured, and to raise awareness that cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists.
According to the Colorado State Patrol, pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities in Colorado have increased 78% since 2015, while passenger vehicle deaths increased 7% in that same timeframe. 2024 was the second-deadliest year on record for these groups of vulnerable road users, with 134 pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities.
'This is Colorado Springs, where a very active, outdoor recreation community, and there's cyclists on the roads at all times,' said Rich Heitman with the Colorado Springs Cycling Club. 'So just be aware that they're there. And the law is that if you see a cyclist, you need to give them three feet, so you shouldn't pass them too close. Give them three feet.'
The 8.5 mile route for the Ride of Silence headed north from City Hall through the Old North End and turning back to head south near Patty Jewett Golf Course. The route circled back through downtown to end once again at City Hall.
Cyclists have held the Ride of Silence in cities across America since 2003, when Chris Phelan organized the first event in Dallas. The first Ride of Silence was launched after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz got hit by the mirror of a passing bus and was killed.
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