Ride of SilenceCommemorating cyclists injured and killed on our roads
Newcastle 2010
Sunday 23rd May 9am
Centennial Park Cooks Hill
20km round loop from Centennial Park, around foreshore, through Hamilton and Adamstown, and returning to Centennial Park (Approximately 20km)
ROS is conducted in a slow and solemn manner.
The Ride of Silence is worldwide bicycle event held in hundreds of cities throughout the world. In 2009 rides will be held in places as diverse as Antarctica, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Bolivia, Spain, Hong Kong and Japan.
In Australia the ride will take place in nine cities including: Adelaide, Bendigo, Bowral, Canberra, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Mount Isa, Newcastle and Townsville.
The Ride of Silence was first initiated in the USA to mourn those cyclists already killed on our roads. The ride also hopes to raise awareness of cyclists on the road, to let motorists know cyclists only want to share the road and to show that cyclists are not going away.
During the Ride of Silence, cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor their fellow riders. It is not a bunch ride, a race nor a critical mass. It is a solemn occasion for riders to contemplate sharing the road with all road users and to remember those riders who are no longer able to enjoy riding though serious injury or fatality.
Every rider on the ROS has their own story. Many people will ride for personal reasons. For example, they might be taking part to remember a friend, family member or colleague. Other cyclists take part to show respect and to show they still love cycling after injury or road incident.
People who choose to ride are not just “cyclists”; they are also grandparents, mums, dads, children, neighbours and workmates. They are all just ordinary people riding a bike.
In Newcastle in the last 18 months there have been several serious accidents involving cyclists and motorists, with the cyclists been severely injured or killed.
As a community it is important to recognize that motorists and cyclists need to start living with each other and the ROS hopes to promote this mutual respect.
Bicycles have a legal right to ride to share the road with motor vehicles, and much of the public is not aware of these rights.
Australian love to cycle and they are purchasing new bicycles more than ever before. In 2008, over 1.2 million bicycles were sold, outnumbering cars for the ninth consecutive year.
Bicycle use is growing across the board, but adults are taking up cycling most rapidly. For every four bikes sold to children and youths, seven are sold to adults.
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