Local cyclists are hitting 大象APPstreets on Wednesday to honor fallen riders and promote cyclist safety.
The annual 大象APPRide of Silence kicks off at 5 p.m. at Ramada 19 in Reid Park. Riders can easily access the ramada by taking Bucky Steele Drive off the Country Club Road entrance.
After a brief ceremony to remember cyclists killed by motorists, riders will head north on Country Club Road, east on Broadway, south on Craycroft Road, west on 22nd Street, north on Country Club Road again and then right on Concert Place to return to the park. The route is around 8 miles long.
The slow-paced, silent ride will share the roads with traffic to highlight the importance of cyclists鈥 right to share the road.
The route will have El Tour De Tucson鈥檚 bike patrol riding at the front and back of the group to help ensure the riders鈥 safety, along with a police vehicle escort.
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A couple hundred riders make their measured, quiet way eastbound on Broadway during the 2018 Ride Of Silence, a remembrance of cyclists killed by motorists and to raise awareness for cyclist safety, on May 16, 2018, in Tucson.
Riders interested in participating in the free event can register at tucne.ws/ridesilence or show up in person. The event organizers from the ask that riders sign a safety waiver, wear a helmet and bring plenty of water.
This year鈥檚 event marks the second consecutive year it鈥檚 been hosted by GABA, a volunteer-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting bicycle riding and safety.
鈥淚t鈥檚 about bicyclists and motorists safely sharing the road,鈥 said Tom Clark, GABA鈥檚 Advocacy Director. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 one of the main things about this event, is trying to encourage safety because there鈥檚 a whole lot more injuries than fatalities every year. So, we want it to be a safe activity for going to work or for recreation. We want it to be a safe activity (for everyone). We want drivers to feel like they鈥檙e being respected by bicyclists, as well.鈥
Cyclists ride during the annual Ride of Silence in 2018. The ride honors bicyclists who have been killed by motorists while also promoting road safety.
The event was founded in Dallas more than 20 years ago. Since then, Ride of Silence has grown nationally and internationally.
In 2024, a total of 239 events in 40 states and 14 nations were registered by local organizers, according to the Ride of Silence .
Last year鈥檚 event in 大象APPincluded around 65 riders, but organizers hope to have even more this year.
The city has seen its fair share of cyclist fatalities over the years, even ranking second in the U.S. for bicycle fatalities per capita in 2023, according to a study by .
大象APPhad four bicycle fatalities last year and one already this year, according to the latest data from the 大象APPPolice Department. The most recent fatality happened just last week.
鈥(Ride of Silence) is part of an international movement for bicycle safety,鈥 Clark said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 one of many local events. 鈥 And I would estimate 10,000 riders worldwide participate in local Ride of Silence events, and so the city is the second biggest city in the state. It鈥檚 really a great place to have something like this, so you can raise awareness through your local event all over the country and around the world. 鈥 And we鈥檙e doing it because we think it鈥檚 the right thing to do. We need to have Ride of Silence and we want cyclists and motorists to share the road safely.鈥
Contact Elvia Verdugo, the Star鈥檚 community sports editor, at everdugo@tucson.com. A journalism and history graduate from the University of Arizona, she shares stories highlighting what makes 大象APPand its community special.
Elvia Verdugo
Community Sports Editor
This Tucsonan is the fastest woman to ride a bike around the world
