Each participant should wear a black armband, or a red armband if they have been injured themselves.
Riders should be silent as far as possible. It isn’t a protest in the
traditional sense: there will be no banners or slogans.
it is a ride to remember and to think and not to be outwardly angry but instead to let our silence and our numbers have the required effect.
"The Ride Of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no
faster than 12 mph and remain silent during the ride. There is no
brochure, no sponsors, no registration fees and no t-shirt. The ride,
which is being held during Bike Safety month (U.S), aims to raise theawareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to showrespect for those who have been killed or injured."
( http://www.rideofsilence.org/main.php)
http://www.rideofsilence.org/main.php
The ride will not be a mass ride but for cyclists to arrive at a
common destination at a fixed time. By doing this the ride could be
"organized" without the possibility of congesting the roads and so
having to get the authorities involved.
What is proposed is that cyclists who are interested cycle to the
Velodrome in the manner of a "Ride of Silence" to arrive there at
7:00 pm on Wednesday 17th May.
Why the Velodrome? Well, this country has been quick to cheer the efforts of our track cyclists but slow to acknowledge the everyday incidents that injure and kill cyclists. In addition the Velodrome has fairly good cycle access from all directions.
It would be you decision whither you come alone or with a few friends.
At the Velodrome there will be no speeches etc. All that is asked is that you attend and acknowledge your fellow cyclists. By attending you will indicate whither a "Ride of Silence" should be organized for 2007. If the attendance is large and the media do take notice then that would be a bonus.
If you are going to attend please read the web site. This is not a
Critical Mass, it is not a race, it is a short, slow paced, memorial
ride. If you can wear an armband so much the better.
Whatever your feelings about this event I would ask that you forward this e-mail to any other cyclists you know living in the Manchester area.