COLUMBUS, Ohio — A group of cyclists gathered in Columbus Wednesday evening to raise awareness for bicycle safety and honor those who have been killed or injured while riding on public roadways.
"It's a healing moment for our community," said Erin Synk, vice chair of Yay Bikes!.
The annual Ride of Silence is held in a number of major cities across the country. So far this year, three cyclists have been killed while riding in Franklin County.
"We get to take a moment to grieve that and to come together as a community in healing," Synk said.
Board members for Yay Bikes! said the short ride through parts of Columbus is a funeral-style procession.
"We ride together for eight to 10 miles and we do it in complete silence," said Brian Estabrook, board chair for Yay Bikes!.
For some cyclists like Steven Cole, this ride goes beyond remembering those who have been killed or injured while riding. It's about spreading awareness to alert drivers to the dangers they pose to cyclists.
"I typically get hit about once every two years, it's usually a hit and run,” Cole said.
Cole said his only mode of transportation is his bike.
"I commute, I don't have a car, I don't drive, so I ride 300 miles a week for transportation. So, you know, over 12,000 miles a year,” Cole said.
Cole said he’s fortunate to not have been seriously injured when he’s been hit.
For the Ride of Silence, he towed a ghost bike to honor the riders who have not survived. He said he plans to keep it on display at the bike shop where he works, with the flowers in the basket representing new life after tragedy.
"We belong on the roads and not on the sidewalks. I get yelled at a lot to get on the sidewalk or get out of the road when I belong on the road,” Cole said.
"When we can say truly that there are zero deaths on the road by people who are walking, or biking, or rolling, then we've arrived. But, we're not even close,” Estabrook said.