Ride of Silence begins at 5 p.m. at Reid Park

A Ride of Silence will be held in Tucson’s Reid Park at 5 p.m. on May 15 (Today). Those attending need to enter the park at Concert Place, from Country Club Road south of Broadway, then follow the signs.

The Ride of Silence is a free cycling event held worldwide on the third Wednesday of May each year, to honor and remember cyclists who have been killed or injured while riding on public roadways. The event’s purpose is to raise awareness about cyclists’ safety and their legal right to share the road.

In 2023, a total of 228 Ride of Silence events located in 16 nations and 40 U. S. states were registered by local organizers on the official Ride of Silence website, rideofsilence.org.

The Ride of Silence is celebrating its 22nd anniversary this year. The first event was held in 2003 in Dallas,Texas, after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was tragically killed by a passing bus.

Riders will gather at Ramada 19 in Tucson’s Reid Park at 5:00 pm on May 15 for ride preparations and a brief ceremony. The one-hour, 8-mile bicycle ride will depart at 5:30 pm.

Participants are asked to ride slowly and silently in a procession to honor fallen riders. Tucson Police Department will provide an off duty police escort at the front and back of the rider group.

Greater Arizona Bicycling Association, or GABA, is hosting the 2024 Tucson Ride of Silence in support of its Mission Statement – to encourage cycling, promote bicycle awareness and safety, and advocate for cyclists and bike-friendly places to ride in Tucson and Pima County.

Free online registration is available on GABA’s Meetup page. By registering beforehand, riders can help GABA better plan for the event. Everyone who attends the May 15 event will be asked to sign a waiver before departing on the ride. Helmets are required. Water and restrooms will be available.

For information about the worldwide Ride of Silence, visit rideofsilence.org.
For more information about the Tucson Ride of Silence and free registration visit bit.ly/ROSsignup
(https://www.meetup.com/bikegaba/events/300661264)