Bike Alpharetta Hosts Ride of Silence for National Bike Month

ALPHARETTA, GA — Bike Alpharetta, a non-profit community organization that promotes fun and safe cycling in Alpharetta, hosted its sixth annual Ride of Silence on May 16. Twenty people took part in the silent six-mile procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while riding on public roadways. A police escort was provided courtesy of the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety.

There were six Ride of Silence events held in Georgia this year, with the event in Alpharetta being the only one on the north side of the Atlanta metro area. Across the U.S. there were 365 rides held this year, all on May 16. In 2003,Chris Phelan organized the first Ride of Silence in Dallas, Texas.

"This year we were honored to have participants from several area communities, including Dillon and Kaylyn who traveled from Helen, Georgia. We are always very sorry to hear personal stories of loved ones who have been lost while riding a bicycle, especially when this involves a situation with a distracted motorist. We host an event like Ride of Silence to show support, as well as make others aware about sharing the road to keep others safe," said Bill Lusby, president of Bike Alpharetta.

Although 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. Bike Alpharetta organizes this event for free each year to promote safer roadways for bicyclists, from recreation to transportation.

For more information on Bike Alpharetta, visit bikealpharetta.org.