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Abilene Cyclists Will Ride In Silence To Promote Safety

(Photo by Joy Bonala/KACU) Members of the Steamboat Cycling Club gather for a morning ride Saturday, May 14, 2016 at Bike Town.
(Photo by Joy Bonala/KACU) Members of the Steamboat Cycling Club gather for a morning ride Saturday, May 14, 2016 at Bike Town.

If you’re a cyclist or know someone who rides throughout Abilene then you’re probably familiar with the risks that come with sharing the roads. Some area residents are taking part in the worldwide Ride of Silence bike rally Wednesday to raise awareness for safety and honor cyclists killed in accidents.

The first Ride of Silence was held in 2003 in Dallas after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was killed by a passing bus on an empty road. Since then it’s been in over 350 locations, 49 US states, 20 countries and seven continents.

This year will be the first time for the ride to take place in Abilene, it starts at 7 p.m. at McMurry University with cyclists riding silently and slowly for 10 miles. Together they’re trying to raise awareness about safety for cyclists on the road. Steamboat Cycling Club member Mark Spurlock is responsible for bringing the ride to Abilene. He said the ride is also a chance to honor cyclists killed in accidents.

“The most important thing is that there’s no talking during the ride,” Spurlock said.  “The whole purpose is to bring awareness that we as cyclists we share the roads, we have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles as well as motor cycles.”

For the most part accidents happen when drivers are preoccupied and not watching the road closely. Spurlock has some tips for motor vehicle safety.

“Obviously number one is stay off your phone,” Spurlock said. “We’re all guilty of that but you just need to be aware, be alert and just look around.”

Bill Minter is also a member of the Steamboat Cycling Club, he said sometimes people don’t realize how close they get to cyclists on the road.

“There’s one kind of standard that at least three feet is needed when you get passed by a car or truck,” Minter said.

Minter warns drivers to be aware of how far their rearview mirror is sticking out and to be sure it doesn’t touch a cyclists while passing.

“We’re really lucky here because we have I guess something like 300 miles of county roads that are paved so a lot of the riding that’s done is out there,” Minter said. “But generally drivers are pretty considerate here in Abilene.”