MIDLAND, Texas — Through the years, the roads of the Permian Basin have been notoriously unkind to area cyclists, having claimed the lives of 10 since the 1980's.
In an effort to bring light to the ever-growing need for 4,000 pound vehicles to share the roads with admittedly more vulnerable 20 pound bicycles, area bicyclists are taking to the very street that have claimed the lives of fellow cyclists.
This will be the 14th year for the Ride of Silence in the Permian Basin. It is a special event held each year that allows bikers from all over the Basin to come together to honor the cyclists killed on the Permian Basin roads along with reminding the public to safely share the road.
This year's Ride for Silence will take place on May 15. This year's ride will once again follow the route which will begin at the Centers for Energy and Economic Diversification Building (CEED) located at the southeast corner of 1788 and HWY 191 intersection.
Cyclist are encouraged to be in place by 6:45 p.m. to ensure enough time for a safety briefing, distribution of colored wrist bands and the ceremony to honor those whom they have lost. Cyclists will then roll out promptly at 7:00 p.m.
There are no fees charged to participants, but helmets are required for all riders and bright clothing and lights are highly recommended. The riders will take the route in funeral procession style; riders are asked to remain silent, and the maximum speed for the route will be no more than 12 miles per hour.
The riders will stop at memorial sights along the route that are marked with bicycles that have been painted all white to pay respects to cyclists that lost their lives on this very stretch of road.
Of course, even if you do not intend to bring a bike and join the ride, all of the public is encouraged to come on out and be a part of the ride’s start and finish and help show you support the safety and sharing of our area’s roads with cyclists.
