Ride of Silence returns to Goshen
May 15—GOSHEN — An event meant to pay tribute to cyclists killed while riding returned Wednesday to Goshen.
After an opening prayer by Lincoln Avenue Cycling Shop owner Daniel Jones and a group photo of the estimated 30 to 50 riders, Ride of Silence got underway from the shop. The ride would end there as well.
According to a news release sent out by Jones, the Michiana region has seen at least 14 cycling fatalities in the last six years, including four last year alone.
Having started in Dallas, Texas in 2003, Jones estimated that the Ride of Silence event has taken place here in Goshen for the past 14 to 15 years.
"We've got a good night of weather," Jones observed shortly before the ride got underway at 7 p.m. "Some years we get a lot of rain. It's cool because it's something done around the world, in quite a few countries."
John Yoder, Goshen, has taken part in the event for at least the last 10 years.
"I expect a pretty big crowd," Yoder said.
Jim Bare, also Goshen, has taken part a number of times as well.
"I knew one guy, (Dr.) Dereck Klopfenstein, who died while riding," Bare said. "I'm glad I don't know more."
In 2023, there were 228 Rides of Silence in 40 U.S. states and in 16 countries and on five continents.
"Nationally, 966 people lost their lives in bicycle-motor vehicle crashes in 2021, the last year for which statistics are available, up from 948 in 2020 and 859 in 2019 (FARS Encyclopedia (dot.gov)," the release stated. "A study of hospitalizations for bicycling injuries between 2002 to 2009 found that an estimated 6,877 people were hospitalized for injuries caused by a motor vehicle crash, and 18,457 people were hospitalized for non-motor vehicle bicycle accidents. From 2011 to 2020, bicycle fatalities from motor vehicle crashes have averaged 806 per year in the U.S."
For Wednesday's race, four to five riders served as a safety crew, helping the riders out at traffic crossings and other areas.
"I love having bikes out in the community," said safety crew member Katelynn Boener.
To learn more, visit rideofsilence.org or www.lincolnavenuecycling.com.
