Ride Of Silence Honors Fallen Cyclists

By Lindsey Miller in Arts & Entertainment on May 19, 2010 7:30PM

Today, hundreds of bicyclists in Chicagoland and all over the country will participate in a Ride of Silence to remember those who have been injured or killed on the roads. Unlike the raucous monthly Critical Mass rides, the cyclists participating in this ride will be silent to promote bike safety and remind drivers to safely share the road.

The Chicago ride will depart from Daley Plaza at 7:00 p.m. and visit the locations of five ghost bikes - white bikes that serve as memorials to riders who have been killed - along the 10-mile route. From Daley Plaza, the ride will first pass Clint Miceli's bike on LaSalle (shown in the photo). Next, it will pass Blanca Ocasio and Mandy Annis' bikes at Kedzie and Armitage, Jepson Livingston's bike at Diversey and Avers, Tyler Fabeck's bike at Western and Logan Blvd., and end at Liza Whitacre's bike at Damen and Wellington.

The most recent fatality was Livingston (Dec. 15, 2009), who was killed after a van that was chasing another van at high speeds lost control. The man driving the van has been charged with murder.

Bike clubs in Arlington Heights, Evanson, and Joliet are also holding silent rides tonight.