Melbourne Ride of Silence

On Saturday May 19 at 10am, Melbourne’s cycling community will participate in a simple memorial ride to honour the memory of all bicycle riders injured or killed while riding on the roads as part in the International Ride of Silence. The International Ride of Silence is in its fourth year and is raising awareness for all road users to share the roads with respect, with an estimated 250 Rides of Silence across the world. All fellow bicycle riders, family, friends and non-riding supporters are most welcome to attend.

The Melbourne Ride of Silence will follow a route from Federation Square to Parliament via Docklands and Swanston and Bourke streets. Simultaneous rides will occur in Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane and Bendigo. These rides will follow all road rules, be polite and respectful of other road users and there will be no speaking unless absolutely necessary.

“Not only is cycling fun, it is rapidly increasing in importance for community health and is now chosen by many as a sensible transport option. All levels of government should recognise these facts and do more to assist to increase shared education and awareness, and also reduce the numbers of incidents resulting in death and injury,” said Rob Eke, Melbourne Ride of Silence spokesperson.

“It is absolutely vital that bicycling is accepted by all road users as a normal part of daily life. The Australian bicycling community, in memory for those who have already died and out of respect for their passion for riding, call on all sectors for their understanding and co-operation to ensure avoidable deaths and injuries on our roads are stopped.”

“In Australia each year close to 40 riders die on our roads from motor vehicle accidents and many thousands are also injured. The Ride of Silence aims to draw attention to these deaths and injuries as senseless, as most of these incidents are avoidable. Australia’s bicycle community call on all road users to use greater care on our roads and watch out for vulnerable road users who lawfully are going about their daily lives in a peaceful and sustainable way.”

“This year three bicycle riders have died on Victorian roads. In past years sportspersons, personalities and family members like us all have died from collisions with motor vehicles whilst bicycle riding. We remember Russell Mockridge, Amy Gillett, Scott Peoples, Alan Scott, Matthew Cole, James Donnelly, Luke Harrop, Ben Mikic and many more loved family
and friends. They were all valuable members of their communities lost needlessly.”

Melbourne Annual International Ride of Silence Press Release (PDF 72k)
http://www.woj.com.au/docs/MelbRoSMRMay07.pdf

Melbourne Ride of Silence Contacts

Rob Eke: 0414 733 395
Email: robATwoj.com.au

Chris Star: 0407 825 467
Email: infoATwoj.com.au

Melbourne Ride of Silence Route on Bikely
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/36594

Contact Australian Ride of Silence organisers
http://www.rideofsilence.org/locations-international.php?i=Australia#Australia

Ride of Silence
http://www.rideofsilence.org

Wheels of Justice
http://www.woj.com.au