Ride of Silence (2021)

Gear Up: 6:30p.m.

Start:7:00p.m.

Starting Location:  The ride starts in the Hilton Head Island Port Royal Plaza - 95 Mathews Drive (parking lot next to Street Meet).

After the ride safety briefing and reading of the ROS Poem, at 7:00 p.m. a bagpiper will play "Amazing Grace" as a patrol car from the Beaufort County Sheriffs Office escorts riders out of the parking lot onto U.S. 278 South to the Red Light at Queens Way.  A patrol car will stop North bound traffic while the cyclist do a "U turn and head North on  U.S. 278 back to the Plaza for fellowship at Street Meet.  The ride is 9 miles long and will proceed at a slow speed (10-12 mph).  This is a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways.  The same COVID restrictions will apply as on any Saturday Ride.

Street Meet will provide food at Happy Hour prices after the ride for all members who wish to join in fellowship.

History: In 2003, the first ROS took place in Dallas after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was hit by the mirror of a passing bus and was killed.  In 2019 there were 359 such rides in 47 states, 20 countries, 7 continents and "0" words spoken.   Last year (do to COVID)  there was a virtual ROS involving 74 registered KABC  riders.  This year the ROS begins in North America and rolls across the globe on the third Wednesday in May at 7:00 p.m.  Cyclists will take to the roads or on their stationary bike in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways.  

In commemoration of the month of May as National Bike Month, the ROS aims to raise cycling awareness for motorists, the general public, police, traffic engineers, insurance companies, and city officials.  Its "share the road" message works to educate the public on the rights of both cyclists and motorists to use cooperatively the roadways in a safe manner.  Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn't aware of these rights, or of the cyclists themselves.  

This will be the 13th ROS on HHI!   I am counting on all KABC riders at all levels for a strong turnout!

John Marcinowski,

Ride of Silence Coordinator

roskabc@kickinasphalt.info