By Mike Murgas from España, Luis Gomez

Rides of Silence took place in 30 locations across Michigan on May 20th, at 7 p.m. We joined cyclists worldwide (in the southern hemisphere on Saturday, May 23rd at 10 a.m.) in Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Colombia, Cyprus, Greece, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, St. Kitts and Nevis, Singapore, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates. And, at least one team in the Giro d'Italia wore blue armbands on the May 20th stage, to show their support of cyclists attending the Ride of Silence that evening.

Globally, we shared two common goals:

• To remember and honor our family and friends who have been injured or killed by motorists while enjoying an activity they - and we - love.
  
  

• To help raise awareness of public officials, the general public, motorists and media that cyclists have the same rights to the road, by law, as motor vehicles and should be accorded them.
  

Unlike previous years, where weather raised havoc in numerous locations, this year we had near perfect riding weather statewide. We were a very diverse group of riders, and thankful to have the opportunity to ride that evening. The following are excerpts from 23 of our organizers who submitted a follow-up report (representing 1,337 riders that evening).

Adrian, 19 Riders

Although still a small group, we enjoyed fellowship before and after our ride. We remembered two cyclists who were fatally injured and another who survived (a 93-year-old local gentleman). A couple of high school students joined us for the cause; it had been promoted by their National Honor Society. Our ages ranged from 16 to 82. What a pleasure to gather for this cause. We'll see you in 2010!

Ann Arbor, 50 Riders

The Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society invited all riders to meet at Wheeler Park in Ann Arbor. Kenton Smith bade us farewell on the bagpipes with Amazing Grace. Three Ann Arbor police officers on bikes escorted our cyclists around our route that went right through town at a busy hour of the day. We brought a lot of visibility to Ann Arbor.

Battle Creek, 51 Riders

We had a great evening to ride and 51 area bicyclists participated. The Battle Creek Police Department provided two motorcycle officers for escort and traffic control at major intersections. Riders enjoyed sandwiches provided by Big City Subs at the end of the ride.

Boyne City, 60 Riders

We had 75 attend our Memorial Program and 60 completed the ride. This was the first time we ever had decent weather; previously we had cold temps in the 30s, strong winds in the 30 MPHs, and heavy rain.

Cadillac, 53 Riders

We had a wonderful ride, with the city providing two police escorts. Among the 53 riders, 12 wore red arm bands to show that they had suffered injury caused by a motorist.

Detroit, 250 Riders

We started the ride on Belle Isle, and picked up a large number of riders along the way. We rode from Belle Isle to Ford Field, circled Comerica Park, and returned to Belle Isle. The League of Michigan Bicyclists supported the event through publicity and its Region One Representative.
We honored the memory of those injured and killed. We rode sensibly and responsibly in a major city, promoting cycling safely.

East Lansing, 65 Riders

The Ride of Silence event that started from the Michigan State Campus (MSU Bikes Service Center) traveled around campus, through downtown East Lansing, then down to the State Capitol in Lansing. Approximately 65 people rode in the event (10 of whom were police officers from MSU Police, Lansing PD & Lansing Community College Police). On the Capitol steps, we heard from several people who had loved ones or friends who had been hit and killed or injured.

Grand Rapids, 202 Riders

With our largest turnout, thanks to pre-ride TV & radio coverage, and in the Daily News, the Honorable Mayor in attendance, and with handing out 150+ free Ride of Silence/Share the Road T-shirts, the Grand Rapids Ride of Silence began under a very solemn cloud, because of the death of a Grand Rapids bicyclist Gregory R. Siemion, who had an accident with a city vehicle just a few short hours prior to our start.
The Mayor talked of the need for safety and how cyclists and motorists both need to be aware of each other for all to Share the Road. "This is driven home in an awful and very sad way tonight" were but a few of his remarks.
Grayling, 8 Riders
So sorry to hear about the loss of another cyclist [in Grand Rapids]. Got your message after my eight cyclists left for their ride so, when they returned, we had prayer for the cyclist, his family and for all of you.

Grosse Pointes, 55 Riders

First year as an "official" Ride of Silence. Made it part of our regular Wednesday night Wolverine Sports Club Ride. Wanted our group to participate in this International Event!

Harbor Springs, 48 Riders

2009 Ride honored the memory of Fred Knoodle, an avid local cyclist who was killed while cycling in August of 2008. Many thanks go to his wife Jimmie and son Dave for their presence at the ride's start/finish. Also, thanks to all of those that participated in this year's ride and to those who support our efforts to promote safe cycling.

Haslett, 22 Riders

Had a beautiful evening for the ride. I spoke briefly about the purpose/history of the Ride of Silence. Another rider spoke briefly about the tragic death of a fellow cyclist a few years back.

Holland, 78 Riders

We remembered the five local cyclists that had been killed in the last 11 years. Many rode to rally support for Walter Catton, injured earlier this month, who underwent another surgery the morning of the ride.

Iron Mountain, 50 Riders

Kalamazoo, 88 Riders

The Kalamazoo area Ride of Silence was done this year out of Richland at the Gull Lake High School. We rode from this location with hopes of having middle school students ride to honor Andy Callighan a sixth grader at Gull Lake Middle School who died tragically when his bike collided with a car near his home in Hickory Corners.
I had a poster made up with a picture of Andy that everyone signed and we will be giving it to Andy's family.

Lapeer, 16 Riders

I started off by talking about what the Ride of Silence was about and reading the story from Grand Rapids that was on M-Live. I also talked about two of our riders, Rita and James, whose brother was killed last August on a training ride for his first triathlon. It gave the ride even more meaning as we were able to represent those who have been injured or killed on the road. It was a very emotional ride for everyone, but great in so many ways.
Lennon, 11 Riders
We were perhaps small in number, but a meaningful ride. One of the founding members of our club joined us this year. Thanks to all that participated.

Manistique, 1 Rider

Sustained winds of 35 mph and gusts over 50 mph discouraged a town of mainly Saturday and novice riders. Better luck next year.

Royal Oak, 50 Riders

Saginaw, 47 Riders

The 47 riders included one on a Penny-farthing and one on a unicycle. We thank the Mid-Michigan Children's Museum for the cold water and pit-stop facilities.

Sault Ste. Marie, 8 Riders

A nice group of riders, more than the last two years combined. The ride was perfect and afterwards we talked about setting up a Facebook group with the local university, so we are working on our bike culture and future happenings.

Spring Lake, 44 Riders

We were joined on the ride by two Ottawa County Sheriffs on bikes, and two additional Sheriffs provided escort and traffic-control services along the entire route.

Westland, 29 Riders

I was a little disappointed at the low turnout this year for the ride on Hines but, since there were at least two more new Rides of Silence in the Detroit area, I'm not so sad.
A big thanks to Mike at Trail's Edge, who lent me a bike that would work with my trailer. I brought the trailer to display the Ride of Silence logo for the group

Ypsilanti, 11 Riders

Good weather, some media coverage and participation by our local "Bike Ypsi" group.

Personally, I'd like to thank all of our Michigan organizers and volunteers who donated their time to help organize a Ride in their city or town and helped make Michigan Ride of Silence another great success. Again in 2009 we showed the world that though we were silent, silence can roar.
Thanks to the Michigan cyclists who came out and rode this year. Thanks to Rich Moeller and John Lindenmayer and the LMB for the support and promotion they continue to provide to Michigan's Ride of Silence.

Thanks to Chris Phelan in Dallas, the Ride's founder and leader, and the Ride of Silence board who made this year's Ride of Silence a global success.
Please join us for next year's Ride of Silence, on May 19th 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in locations all over Michigan and the world.

By MARK HAGAR

Ride of Silence, 2005-2009 Grand Rapids Organizer, MI Director, National Board Member

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www.rideofsilence.org