Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas will host the annual Little Rock Ride of Silence on Wednesday, May 15th, 2024. This national event honors cyclists who have been injured or killed in traffic crashes.
The Ride of Silence is a slow-paced, non-competitive event. Participants are encouraged to remain silent during the ride, creating a somber atmosphere to remember fallen cyclists and raise awareness about cyclist safety.
Started in 2003, the first Ride of Silence was held at White Rock Lake in Dallas, Texas to recognize Dallas cyclist Larry Schwartz who had been killed on May 4, 2003, when he was struck by a school bus mirror while riding his bicycle, approximately 1000 people attended the ride.
The tradition has continued across the country on the third Wednesday of May to remember anyone who was killed while riding a bike.
“This event serves as a crucial reminder to motorists to share the road with cyclists,” said Jason Barr, Chair of Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas.
Kim Mundell, wife of Jim Mundell a local cyclist killed in a hit-and-run incident in Sherwood, AR, is expected to speak at the event once it ends at the Capital building.
The ride will begin at 6:00 pm at Bernice Garden in the SOMA District of Little Rock (1401 S Main St) and conclude at the Arkansas State Capitol steps (500 Woodlane St.). The ride will also have a Little Rock Police Department escort.
All cyclists are welcome to participate in the Ride of Silence. Helmets are mandatory.
For more information, please contact Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas at BicycleAdvocacyPresident@gmail.com.
