Ride of Silence and other bicycle awareness events

Posted on by Alli Marshall

On Wednesday, May 19, cyclists worldwide join in a Ride of Silence that, according to event’s Web site, honors “those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways.”

But as much as the ride is a commemoration, it’s also about raising awareness: “Though 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.”

The Asheville ride begins at 7 p.m. at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce (36 Montford Ave.) and covers a relatively flat, five-mile route through downtown, toward UNC Asheville and through Montford to returning to the Chamber of Commerce. The ride is free for participants and is an easy pasce of no more than 12 miles for hour. Riders remain silent for the duration.

May is National Bike Month; Bike Week runs May 17-21 with Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 21. Those dates coincide with Strive Not to Drive Weekmount; learn about local Strive Not to Drive events.

Cyclists in Asheville can learn more about bike commuting during Lexington Avenue Brewery‘s Multimodal Happy Hours, Monday, May 17 to Thursday, May 20 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Drink specials, commuter information and route counseling will be available.

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About Alli Marshall
Alli Marshall has lived in Asheville for more than 20 years and loves live music, visual art, fiction and friendly dogs. She is the winner of the 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize and the author of the novel "How to Talk to Rockstars," published by Logosophia Books. Follow me @alli_marshall
View all posts by Alli Marshall →

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One thought on “Ride of Silence and other bicycle awareness events”

  1. craig

    SEPARATED BIKEWAYS AND LOW URBAN SPEED LIMITS ARE ***THE*** TWO THINGS THAT WILL ELEVATE BIKE-RIDING FROM AN ALTERNATIVE TO A DOMINANT TRANSPORTATION MODE. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY.

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