The ride of silence, now in its 11th year, honors those bicyclists who were killed in motor vehicle related crashes and reminds everyone of the importance of driving and riding safely.

In 2012 over 700 bicyclists were killed in traffic crashes in the US. In Long Beach over the past 5 years in we have averaged over one death per year.

While the total number of traffic related fatalities in the US has been steadily falling since 2003, the number of bicycle fatalities has risen. This is in part due to the fact that more people are bicycling every year.  In Long Beach alone we have seen a doubling of the number of bicyclists on our streets since 2007.  However, just because we have more bicyclists doesn’t mean we need to have more crashes and more fatalities.

As bicyclists and as motorists we need to be aware of the major causes of bike related crashes.

A major cause of bike related crashes is wrong way riding.

Motorists simply do not expect a bicyclists to be coming the wrong way down a street.  As the enter a street they typically look left for on coming traffic…and if you are coming from the opposite direction they are unlikely to see you.  

So please…for your safety…don’t ride the wrong way.

 

 

 

As a driver the most common cause of bike related crashes is turning in front of the bicyclists.

This is either a right hook…you overtake a bicyclists and make a right turn in front of them.

Please…watch for bicyclists…and don’t try to save those “insignificant few seconds”

 

 

 

 

 

Or a left cross where you turn left across traffic in front a bicyclist.  As a motorists be aware of bicyclists and don’t turn in front of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ride of silence, which is now a global event with rides in nearly every state in the US and many countries around the world…all occurring at 7:00 PM local time on May 21st,  reminds all of us, whether we are on a bike or in a vehicle to be aware and to be courteous.  The ride of silence honors fallen bicyclists, promotes road safety and strives to make a difference for both bicyclists and motorists.

Thanks to Cleave Law who organized the Long Beach ride of Silence and to everyone who participated in this important event.