Pittsburgh bike riders will join cyclists across the world next week for the annual Ride of Silence to honor cyclists killed or injured on public roadways and raise awareness about sharing the road.
On May 20, cyclists will gather at the Highland Park fountain to join organizing groups Women at Work Cycling Club, the Western Pennsylvania Bicycle Club and BikePGH for a 10-mile ride.
“This year’s ride underscores that we rely on quality biking infrastructure to get around safely. Sadly, over 30 people have been killed while riding their bikes in our region since 2002,” said Robin Woods, founder of Women at Work Cycling Club, in a news release.
Among the cyclists being honored by this year’s Ride of Silence are the late Will Theisen, known as “Willie T,” who was struck at the corner of St. Clair Street and Stanton Avenue in November 2021, and 9-year-old Courtney Carter, who was hit on Rosedale Street near Tacoma Street.
As part of the ride, Theisen and Carter will have ghost bikes placed in their honor. Ghost bikes are bicycles stripped and spray-painted white that are used by safety advocates and families to memorialize cyclists killed.
The group will ride from Highland Park to Homewood and back on a relatively flat route. According to Ride of Silence organizers, the route will highlight both strong biking infrastructure and areas that would benefit from safety improvements to help prevent future traffic violence.
Riders will stay together, maintaining a slow, reflective pace of less than 12 mph, and will observe silence during the ride, speaking only as necessary.
Last year, the Ride of Silence had 203 locations worldwide across 38 states and 11 countries participating, according to the website.
Pittsburgh participants will gather at the fountain shortly before 7 p.m.