Cyclists join thousands worldwide in Ride of Silence
By Tan Yew Guan, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 20 May 2009 2221 hrs

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SINGAPORE: About 200 cyclists gathered at the Merlion Park on Wednesday evening to embark on a one-hour ride through Singapore's roads. They joined thousands of others in a world-wide movement.

Called the Ride of Silence, riders went at a slow pace throughout the 19-kilometre route. At the same time, they maintained silence amid the roar of traffic in honour of those killed or injured in traffic accidents while cycling.

Last year, at least 20 people died in such accidents.

The first Ride of Silence rolled off in Dallas in the United States six years ago.

Then, it was just a gathering of 1,000 cyclists to mark the death of a fellow cyclist who was killed by a school bus mirror.

Throughout the world, from Hong Kong to Spain and all across the United States, cyclists in over 200 locations are taking part in similar rides.

Organisers hope that the event will make drivers more aware of the presence of cyclists on the roads. - CNA/vm