The Ride of Silence is a yearly international bicycle ride to commemorate cyclists killed or injured while riding on public roads. It helps to raise awareness among motorists of the dangers they pose to cyclists.
The first ride was held in Dallas, Texas in 2003. Many participants found the experience to be very moving. Although it was conceived as a one-time event, it has been repeated every year since then. Cyclists in cities around the globe have joined this movement. It has grown each year, 2004 through 2008, with 50, 120, 223, 272 and 296 cities participating.[1]
The Ride of Silence is held on the 3rd Wednesday in May. The League of American Bicyclists is again promoting this event side-by-side with the national Bike-to-Work Day, held on the 3rd Friday in May.[2]
In 2009, the ride was held on May 20th at 7 p.m. local time, with 282 known rides. [3]
As of April 26, 2010, there were 191 confirmed locations for the 2010 Ride of Silence. [4]