Ride Of Silence

SIOUX FALLS, SD - Bicycle riders all over the world will take to the streets and roads Wednesday night to remember those who have been killed in bicycle accidents.

It's called the Ride of Silence. and this year it'll have extra meaning in Sioux Falls.  There have been two fatal bicycle accidents this past year in Sioux Falls. Last summer, Kevin Rogers was hit by drunk driver in the southwest part of Sioux Falls.  And Tommy McInnes was struck and killed by a driver on East 10th Street earlier this month. Both places now have what's called ghost bikes, a visible reminder for people to slow down. 

Wednesday night, it'll be bicyclers who will be riding slowly in the Ride of Silence. 

"It's very somber; it's completely different than anything you're used to doing as far as a social bike ride," Mark Emry said. 

Emry is one of those who will be riding Wednesday night. He says bicyclists will take to the roads in a slow, silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed on public roadways.

"With Tommy and Kevin dying this last year, it really has special meaning to every cyclist here in town," Emry said.

Although bicyclists 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 bicyclists themselves. 

"I think the most important thing is to keep aware while you're driving. I know when I'm driving, it's easy to get distracted.  When I'm riding my bicycle, I'm more in tune with the traffic around me.  Everybody needs to obey traffic laws.  If we do that, everything will be fine; just pay attention to what you're doing," Emry said.

The Sioux Falls Ride of Silence is free for anyone. It starts at Fawick Park in downtown Sioux Falls with a special ceremony. Bicyclists are asked not to go any faster than 12 miles per hour and remain silent during the three-mile ride.