The Ride of Silence 2007 takes place May 16, 2007 across the country and in many countries in the world. See the web site, http://www.rideofsilence.org/main.php for more information including reports from around the world. Last year, almost all of the states and hundreds of cities had Rides of Silence (http://www.rideofsilence.org/locations-domestic.php). In our State, there were rides in Tacoma, Everett, Walla Walla, Vancouver and I think a few other places. I know that an organizational effort has started for a ride in Olympia this year.
Last year, we rode from Gasworks Park with about 700 riders and are hoping to match if not exceed that number in 2007. We currently plan to ride from Gasworks Park at 630 p.m. on May 16 and following about a 12 mile clockwise route from Gasworks towards UW, cross the University Bridge, up Eastlake, through a part of downtown Seattle and return on 15th to Nickerson to Fremont Bridge. The ride this year will be a bit shorter and start earlier to accommodate our daylight.
We are having an organizational meeting on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 beginning at 7 p.m. and lasting to no later than 830 p.m.. for anyone interested in volunteering to help plan, promote, advertise and do the ride. Unlike last year, we plan to use ROS' protocol for having a larger group of volunteers "up front," but we think we need to have others posted along the route in advance instead of "in the middle", so riders know where to go. We will also need sweeps like last year. It would be great to get volunteers to take pictures, post signs, do posters, and the like. I believe we can tailor last year's flyer for this year.
We need to notify bike shops, bike teams, clubs, etc. If any of you are already on a team, please get them involved - to come ride in kits, etc.
We need to write to federal, state and local politicians.
We need to get press.
We are working on a permit.
We will share more and invite ideas, suggestions, and plans at the meeting.
If you are interested in being added to the volunteer group for 2007, please notify Louise Kornreich, Duane Wright and me. I do not plan to send out the number of emails I sent last year (breath relief). However, I do hope that each of you starts talking the talk.
An interesting side note, I attended a wonderful presentation today partially sponsored by CBC at which Brian Hansen of the City of Copenhagen talked about Copenhagen's wildly successful program to get thousands of Danes out of their cars and onto bikes. One key point he stressed: as the number of people cycling to work increased, the number of accidents declined. Mr. Hansen stressed the vital importance of drivers' being aware of cyclists and, of course, the key role government can play in making it safe and cool to ride.
Hope to see many of you on March 27. FYI, we have no plans for a second meeting. If you cannot attend but want to volunteer in some way for ROS 2007, please let us know as well. We will let you know what happens at our meeting. We still need volunteers for the Ride itself. Please be sure to tell your buddies about the ROS and tell them we need help and welcome them to join us.
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