Memorial bicycle ride scheduled

By Dean Shipley

Staff Writer

For all those folks friendly to bicyclists throughout the area, the Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails (FMCPT) asks them to join them in the Ride of Silence. This special event, which will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16, in Columbus.

The Ride of Silence is a slow group ride, akin to a funeral procession, in total silence. The ride is a safe, responsible, professional and mature response to the aggressiveness, intimidation, and carnage that cyclists face on the roads we ride. It is a means to:

• Remember and mourn those killed by motorists,

• Raise awareness that our community has, and supports, a large population of cyclists,

• Show the public that cyclists are not going to stop riding on the roads.

For that reason the May FMCPT meeting has been rescheduled to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15, so FMCPT directors and members may attended the Ride of Silence.

To facilitate participation in this special annual event, a carpool will gather at 5:30 p.m. at the Prairie Grass Trailhead behind the Madison County Senior Center, 280 W. High St. in London.

More information about the ride is available at this link: http://www.considerbiking.org/activities/ride-of-silence/

May is also National Bike Month.