provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Cyclists will gather May 19 on Sanibel for the annual Ride of Silence to honor those who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. The Sanibel Bicycle Club has hosted the ride since May 2008 along with sponsorship from Matzaluna Restaurant and Billy’s Bikes. All club members, friends and community are invited to ride in this short, silent, slow ride.
The ride is a global event that takes place every third Wednesday in May in 48 countries, 7 continents and 50 U.S. states, plus Washington, D.C. The event also seeks to create awareness about safe cycling and cyclists’ legal rights to use our roadways as any other vehicle.
On Sanibel, riders should meet at Matzaluna Restaurant, 1200 Periwinkle Way, for waiver signing and equipment check no later than 6:45 p.m. The seven-mile ride will begin at 7 p.m. sharp and proceed East on the shared use path along Periwinkle crossing Lindgren and continuing along the east side of the causeway path then cross over the first two bridges of the causeway, turn around under the main span and return on the West side of the causeway to Matzaluna where the restaurant will be offering discounted food and beverages for all riders to enjoy.
Cyclists will ride in a silent, funeral-style procession at 10 to 12 mph for seven miles in respect to those who are no longer able to ride. Riders are requested to wear a black arm band, or red if they have personally been injured in a cycling versus motor vehicle accident.
Everyone is welcome to ride; no registration is needed. Participants will be required to wear helmets and no headphones or earbuds. On Sanibel head and tail lights are required if riders plan to ride home after dinner and are strongly encouraged for the entire ride.
For more information about the Sanibel ride, contact Allison Havill Todd of the Sanibel Bicycle Club at allisonht13@gmail.com, Mark Blust of Matzaluna at mblust@prawnbroker.com or Salli Kirkland of Billy’s Bikes at salli@sanibelbike.com
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