Thank you...One pedal stroke at a time

Ride of Silence 2013

June 6, 2013

DOWNLOAD THE PDF FILE OF THE LETTER HERE.

A silent ride with a loud message…

On May 15, 2013 at 7:00 PM, the Ride of Silence took place in North America and rolled across the globe. Cyclists took to the roads in a 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. The ride, which is held during National Bike Month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists 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.
 
Thank you all who donated of your precious personal time to participate in the Ride Of Silence Miami 2013.  The intention of the Ride of Silence is to bring us all together worldwide in one place and time, to raise consciousness and to remember those who are no longer with us. Mere words cannot express the emotional rollercoaster we felt as we witnessed the presence of the hundred seventy+ cyclists of all ages, victims and family members of victims, citizens of all cycling levels together riding as one, side by side, with family members who have lost loved ones as these loved ones did what they loved best…ride a bicycle…
 
A special thank you to Florida Senator Rene Garcia for sending one of his key team members Legislative Asst. David Marin, who eloquently addressed the Ride of Silence Miami participants and presented a copy of the Florida Senate Resolution recognizing March 2013 as Aaron Cohen Bike Safety Awareness Month in Florida.  Mr. Marin also rode with us thanks to Mack Cycle who graciously loaned a bicycle from their vast collection. At the beginning of the ride, David presented a Florida State Resolution by Senator Garcia.
 
Our silent message was sent loud and clear …that we can count on each other.


A VERY SPECIAL “THANK YOU” GOES OUT TO…
 
Everglades Bicycle Club Board Members for your continued support in the last 8 years and your endorsement of all bicycling related activities in South Florida and a special thank to the President, Xavier Falconi for placing safety advocacy on the goals and agenda of the club as a whole, and to Rick Smit, long time member and currently a Board Member for organizing the ride marshals, and for all working together to keep us all safe during the ride this year.
 
The Miami Science Museum, for graciously donating their property for us to congregate safely;
 
RB Cycles family for supporting us year after year with tents and their team members to help with registration;
 
Mack Cycle family for supporting us with team members and a mechanic and who have stepped up their involvement with safety advocacy events for the good of all of us.
Bike Tech family for reaching out to the cycling community offer their help and for keeping us safe as their sag car followed us on the entire route.
 
Local informational and advocacy groups:  Green Mobility, Safe Streets Miami, Miami Dade County’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advocacy Committee (BPAC), Aaron Cohen Road Safety Initiative, Florida Bicycle Lawyer (Warren R. Trazenfeld), The Miami Bike Scene, Bike Key Biscayne, Bike SOMI and so many other cycling organizations which I know I have not mentioned for being our eye, ears and voices in the media and technological means of communication. You all keep us informed and educated so keep on doing what you do.  We need more realistic representation in local government offices.
 
Thank you to all of the social cycling clubs and riding teams: Miami Critical Mass, Team Sindacato (who volunteered as ride marshals), Pinecrest Fitness, 25th Parallel Bicycle Team, Rose Bandits, JB Imports, Fyxd Threeofive, The Cutler Bay Bicycle Touring Club, Team Velocity, Team JAMA, Miami Pace, Storm Riders, RB Cycles, Mack Cycles,  Bike Tech, Scoot Skate and Bike, Virginia Key Bicycle Club, Multirace.com for always being present in one fashion or another.
 
John Voss:  for bringing the Ride Of Silence to Miami 8 years ago (Virginia Key Bicycle Club)
 
A very special thank you to the family and close friends of Aaron Cohen and Miguel Rocafort may they rest in peace…our thoughts and prayers are with you.  Thank you, Enda and Mary Walsh and their beautiful children (Enda was with Aaron when they were struck by a vehicle).  We also wish a quick recovery to fellow cyclist Julie Lucas who was struck by a car a few days ago and shared her experience with us.  I know how challenging it is.
 
WE can unite in a peaceful and organized fashion, work together and demand what is our right….. a safer Miami Dade County!!  And a safer world!!!  Remember without all of US….WE have no voice and there would have been no Ride of Silence Miami 2013.
                                  
ONE DAY…ONE TIME… WORLDWIDE…our silence has spoken louder than any words could have!!! Until next year...
 
EACH and every one of you can do your part TODAY….sign and forward the petition.  Here's a link to the petition in support of enacting the law to discourage LSA and to protect vulnerable road users:

https://www.change.org/petitions/the-florida-legislature-enact-the-aaron-cohen-law-to-discourage-leaving-the-scene-of-an-accident

 
Thank you!!!
 
Maria Luisa De Jesus-Hoover and Michael Hoover
Ride of Silence Miami -Local Coordinator
Everglades Bicycle Club -Cycling Advocate/Active Member
Team Velocity Member
Virginia Key Bicycle Club Member
Green Mobility Member
Rose Bandit Member
Contact: mldejesus@ymail.com      
 
Making a difference, one pedal stroke at a time…