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What is the Ride of Silence? It is a worldwide event that began two decades ago. The purpose of the event is to commemorate and bring attention to fellow cyclists that have been killed or injured by motorists. You can learn more about the Ride of Silence by going to the worldwide website for the event at RideofSilence.org.  The website has lots of resources and info on how to design, implement and register your own Ride of Silence.

In New Hampshire, a Ride of Silence has been taking place for several years in Littleton out of the Littleton Bike and Fitness bike shop. This ride has been organized and led by local cyclist Jen Dodge, who was struck by a car several years ago and continues to deal with a myriad of issues as a result of that incident. The ride Jen organizes annually takes place on the third Wednesday every May at 7:00pm.

Last year on May 17, at 7:00 pm, while thousands of cyclists across the world took to the streets in a Ride of Silence, in NH’s north country, despite the weather (think cold, windy, and yes, some snow flurries – it is May in the North Country!) there was a hardy group of riders that showed up and did the 9.5 mile ride, in silence. It was very reflective and even more meaningful given last year’s tragic death of a 54-year old Massachusetts resident, due to a collision with a motorist, at the Rasputista gravel bike race in Vermont.

Organizer Jen Dodge starts her ride by reading a poem that each Ride of Silence starts with:

The Ride of Silence:

Tonight we number many but ride as one

In honor of those not with us, friends,

mothers, fathers sisters, sons

With helmets on tight and heads down low

We ride in silence cautious and slow

The wheels start spinning in the lead pack

But tonight we ride and no one attacks

The dark sunglasses cover our tears

Remembering those we hold so dear

Tonight’s ride is to make others aware

The road is there for all to share

To those not with us by our side

May God be your partner on your final ride.

Mike Murgas

The goal of the ride is to not only remember those that have been killed or injured while cycling, but to bring attention to the need for vehicle operators to better understand how to share the road safely with cyclists.

This year’s NH Ride of Silence is Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 7pm inn Littleton NH.

The ride exists to honor bicyclists injured or killed by motorists; to promote sharing the road; and to provide awareness of bicycling safety. On May 15, 2024 at 7:00 pm, the Ride of Silence will traverse and unite the globe as it does each year. Cyclists will take to the roads in 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.

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 Ride of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 MPH, wear helmets, follow the rules of the road and remain silent during the ride. There are no registration fees. The ride, which is held during National Bike Month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police, and city officials that have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show respect for and honor the lives of those who have been killed or injured.

A wealth of information on bike safety, for both motorists and bicyclists, is available on the Bike-Walk Alliance of NH’s website under WHAT WE DO > EDUCATION.  Go to the website at  https://bwanh.org/. You can also reach out through Bike the North Country at https://bikethenorthcountry.com/.