Ride of Silence 2008

Posted May 17, 2008
10,036

results, pictures and videos have been posted... Join cyclists nationwide on Wed, May 21st in a silent slow-paced ride in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on America's public roadways.

The Ride of Silence is over, and once again while cyclists rode in Silence, the ride was anything buy quiet. We made a statement for cyclists everywhere. Ride of Silence PHOTOS

Results - Des Moines Over 160 cyclists participated in the 4th annual Ride of Silence in Des Moines. The Ride of Silence is to HONOR and pay respect to those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways. It exists also To RAISE AWARENESS that we are here and we have a legal right to ride on the roads. Please SHARE THE ROAD. www.RideofSilence.org Since May 2007 21 cyclists have been added to the list. 8 cyclists were killed and 13 were injured while riding their bicycle. The ROS list is well over 58 cyclists. Check out the complete list below. Before the ride started, Scott Sumpter opened with a Welcome statement and told about the history of the ride and then read off the names and locations of the 21 cyclists. Afterwards a "shout-out" was initiated and others could "shout-out" the names of the cyclists they were riding in honor of. Sergey Motorny, 27, of Des Moines led out the ride this year. He and John Schofield, of West Des Moines, were seriously injured while biking northwest of Grimes, on June 12th 2007. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED! Stay tuned for more info on how the ride went in other cities. KCCI News Video Ride of Silence Photos

Over 160 cyclists ride in Silence on the Ride of Silence in Des Moines

Results - Ames Many thanks go out to everyone who helped with the ROS. Terese Peters, who helped with the ROS logo we pinned to our shirts, and to all who were pinners. Thanks Terese for donating an old bike to be painted for a "Ghost Bike" to be placed at Dan Wisnousky's accident site. Thanks to George Klotzbach for bringing up the rear of the pack on his motorcycle and helping fill in drivers ed talks. Thanks to Al Schuartz, Kelly Harriman, and Amber for driving the lead vehicle. Thanks to the Ames police officers who took care of us by directing some traffic and keeping traffic signals green at intersections. Thanks to Bike World and Skunk River Cycles. Thanks to Jorge Zamora for packing the ROS flyers into the NABR packets for the cyclists. Thanks to Carol Williams, the Ames Tribune, Mel Crippen at the radio station, Dave Kramer at the Tribune, for coverage, and Angie Hunt with KCCI for sending out a camera man to cover the event for the 10 o'clock news. Thanks to all who helped get the waivers signed, and to Steve in getting arm bands handed out. If I have left anyone out, I am so sorry. Our ride here in Ames Wed. night was great. We had nearly 100 riders participate and the weather was perfect. The route was around 6 miles and with a little police help at intersections went off like clockwork. It appeared to me that oncoming traffic was slowing to take in what we were doing. While traveling through a park, returning to the start location, I heard a few young men call out, "Hey! What is this for?" TV8 covered the Des Moines ride as well as ours and it aired at 10PM. The message given by the reporters was just what we had hoped for. I look forward to organizing the ride again next year and have made mental notes on what can be done to attract more attention and draw in more riders. One idea was to approach instructors at spin classes, asking that they share the ride with class participants. Another was to have small flyers made up and the bike shops could stuff them into each purchase a customer makes. It would be great to get a story done on TODAY IN IOWA and the MIDDAY news next year. I know there are cycling clubs in the area that race and need to find out the names of the organizers to cultivate more ROS participation. We need to do this for ourselves as cyclists to creat awareness of cycling. I believe it is our responsibility to do this on that night every year. I would also like to see what it takes to get "advertising" on the exterior of our city buses. It would be nice to have them donate the space for a period of time. A local radio station interviewed my husband and I about a week before ROS and I understand that the early morning TV news spoke about the ride. It is just amazing to me the number of cyclists I talk to who have never heard of the ROS, even with all the newspaper, TV, and radio coverage. We all need to be diligent and creative in spreading the word. It would be great if we could network somehow and share ideas. Ride safe! Julie Engeman

Results - Sioux City Yesterday was the Ride Of Silence in Sioux City. There were 9 people who participated in the ride. One in Sioux City on business for a month from Ohio. Her club just lost a person by a careless motorist who hit the cyclist, left the scene & returned later because she thought she hit a sign. The driver has yet to be charged with anything. There was also a person from a new bike club, the Ponca Peddlers as well. Ponca is about 24 miles from Sioux City. Their club is just getting started. A Sioux City Journal photographer was there to take photo's & do a little write up about the ride. It was in the Community section on the May 22 edition of the Journal. The Journal also did the write up based on the PSA that was sent last week. KPTH Fox 44 was there do shoot some video footage & do a little interview as well. For those that wanted one there was red & black ribbon to hand out to wear as a bike or arm band. Black is in memory of those injured or killed by motorists & red is if they know or knew someone personally or if they themselves had been hit & injured or killed by a motorist. The Ride Of Silence Poem was also read prior to the start:

Tonight we number many but ride as one In honor of those not with us, friends, mothers, fathers, sisters, sons With helmets on tight and heads down low, We ride in silence, cautious and slow The wheels start spinning in the lead pack But tonight we ride and no one attacks The dark sunglasses cover our tears Remembering those we held so dear Tonight's ride is to make others aware The road is there for all to share To those not with us or by our side, May God be your partner on your final ride.

Results - Mason City 82 cyclists rode the 2008 Ride of Silence in Mason City. We started in Central Park with opening remarks by Steve Schurtz, proclamation of May 21 as Ride of Silence Day in Mason City by Mayor Roger Bang, the "Ride of Silence" poem read by Geoffrey Delperdang, the list of Iowa cyclist killed since ROS 2007 by Earl Hill, and a recorded bagpipe version of "Amazing Grace". A real bagpiper could not be found for the occasion. Hunter Callanan was recognized as a local rider who had been injured by a car in the last twelve months; several other riders were present who had been injured in the past. A North Iowa woman who was killed last year was recognized at the ride as well as on the 10PM KIMT-TV news. A blog comment from the Mason City Globe Gazette after the 2007 Ride of Silence was included in the opening remarks. "My mother taught me at an early age not to play on the streets. Play is defined as an activity done for enjoyment and recreation. Riding a bike seems to fit that description. If people choose to "play on the streets" and be an impediment to the flow of traffic, they take their chances. It comes with the territory. Don't expect me to feel sorry for them. North Iowa is loaded with bike trails. No one claims these guys are rocket scientists." The slow, silent 6 mile ride was led by Office Larry Carroll of the MCPD and by Tim "Pace Car" Putnam. After the people stayed at the park to talk about riding, safety, and motorist awareness. Plans are made for the 2009 Ride of Silence on May 20, 2009. Steve Schurtz

Results - Iowa City We had our first annual Ride of Silence this year and it was led by Nick Maddix, 25, of Iowa City. We had 25 cyclists and picked up two more on the way, thus bringing the grand total to 27. We rode single file the entire way, which made us far more noticeable and greater than our actual numbers. We were escorted by the University Heights Police and the Iowa City Community Service Police on a 8-mile loop from College Green Park. Cyclists gathered at 6:30 p.m. and black and red wristbands were handed out. The names of all cyclists killed and injured (as provided by BikeIowa) in Iowa were present for all to read. At 6:45 p.m., a short speech was given detailing the average number of cyclists death per year as well as statistics concerning motorist commutes, obesity and deaths by automobile. Following this, a brief moment was given for those who wished to "shout-out". Shortly afterwards, the Ride of Silence Poem was read and two minutes before 7:00 p.m., cyclists bowed their heads and had a moment of silence. Again, the ride was lead by Nick Maddix, the sole organizer of the event. Nick was injured by a motorist when he was six when he was run over as they were pulling out of a driveway. He suffered many bruises but otherwise escaped without any major damage. Riding single file and in silence, we averaged around 10 miles per hour, even on typical, busy 35 mph roadways. Our route consisted of typical, busy, two-lane and four-lane roadways. The Route: We went down Burlington Street, stopping at nearly every traffic light. We passed the busy Riverside Drive intersection, then up the Grand Ave hill. At Melrose, we went past University Hospitals and Clinchs, as well as Knnick Stadium and continued pass the city of University Heights, and further to the Mormon Trek Blvd intersection. From Mormon Trek, we rode to Coralville and 2nd St/US Hwy 6, a roadway that few cyclists dare ride on, but was graced with our short and swift presence. We continued to City Park via Park Rd and Normandy/Manor, where baseball was being held and a great number of spectators gazed upon our presence. Upon exiting the park, we went up the Dubuque St hill, and to our right was a gorgeous sunset over the Iowa River. We passed by the UIowa dorms on Clinton St, then turned towards Washington St, and the downtown district which was full of many people. We caught a few glances of people stopping to look, and heard whispers of our presence linger in the air. The lead pack stopped briefly at City Hall, where we rode back to the park a minute later. Upon arrival back, the silence loomed, until we, all of a sudden, cheered our accomplishment. A fitting end, a fitting ride, and a fitting day we shall remember. We'll do it all again next year for sure!

Results - Atlantic coming soon...

About the Ride of Silence Last year 135 cyclists showed up for the 3rd annual Ride of Silence in the Des Moines area. There were several other Rides of Silence taking place across Iowa too. 2008 will be no different. In fact, there are six confirmed Iowa locations that will be hosting a Ride of Silence. PLEASE make a point to show an and ride with one of the events listed below. Not in Iowa? check out rideofsilence.org for events in your area. Why does this ride exist? To HONOR those who have been injured or killed To RAISE AWARENESS that we are here To ask that we all SHARE THE ROAD THE RIDE OF SILENCE WILL NOT BE QUIET! On May 21, the Ride of Silence will roll across the country, starting at 7:00 PM. In more than 50 cities in the U.S. and Canada, cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn't aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves. The Des Moines ride will take place from 7:00 pm - 7:45pm in Des Moines. Be there at 6:30 for a 'sound-off' for those not with us anymore. Click on the Ride Details below for more information. View the Ride of Silence Public Service announcement

"Ride of Silence" events taking place in Iowa

Check out a ROS video from 2007.

THOSE WE RIDE IN HONOR OF 2009 (last updated 4/14/09)

Injured: Doug Smith: near Winterset, where the driver of a truck pulling a trailer passed (in a no passing zone) too closely to a group of cyclists, ran over one cyclist with his trailer and left the scene. Cyclists report the motorist was honking constantly as he passed and returned to the scene 30 minutes later. April 11th 2009 info
Injured: Ken Sherman. Ken was crossing an intersection with a green light. Another driver was turning left from the opposite direction and slammed into Sherman, breaking bones and bruising his lung. The police don't dispute that the turning vehicle driver was at fault, but no traffic citation will be filed. March 7th 2009
Injured: Kurt Hantleman - unknown location in/around Des Moines. unknown details March 7th 2009

2008

Injured: A boy riding his bicycle in the intersection of 4th and Division streets in Davenport was struck by a car at 1:30 p.m. today. The boy was taken to Genesis Medical Center, East Rusholme Street with non-life threatening injuries and is in stable condition, police said. The driver was not ticketed. Police said the boy darted into traffic on his bicycle. 8/9/08.
Injured: Unreleased, A man was taken to Mercy Medical Center following a car-bicycle accident that occurred near Third Street and Court Avenue shortly before 2 p.m. in downtown Des Moines 8/12/08.
Killed: Unreleased, 83. An 83-year-old man died at a hospital after being struck by a car while he was riding a bicycle Tuesday. Cedar Falls police and paramedics responded to the intersection of Cedar Heights Drive and Orchard Drive at 5:17 p.m. Witnesses told them the victim was riding west across Cedar Heights on his bicycle when he was struck by a southbound vehicle. 8/12/08.
Killed: Dean Davis was killed sometime Saturday morning in the 2400 block of Des Moines Street which is just a half-block away from his home. Police said that they believe the homicide was a random act of violence. 7/28/08. info
Injured: Gerald Balvanz, 77 of Dubuque was hit by a truck while riding his bicycle in rural Farley. Balvanz, who is hearing impaired, made an abrupt U-turn and collided with a vehicle. He told police that he didn't hear or see the truck approaching. [July 18th 2008] more...
Injured: Duff T. Powell, 21, of Fort Madison, was standing with his bicycle at Lee County Road 103 (West Point) at the crest of a hill near the intersection of 165th Street about one mile east of West Point when he was struck by a car traveling westbound. [July 21st 2008] more...
Killed: Rick Lind, 49 of Mason City was killed while riding a bike home from the Mason City office where he was working late. [July 12th 2008] more...
Injured: Betti Murphy, 47, of Des Moines was riding her bicycle on Merle Hay Road when her bicycle was struck by a van whoich was pushed into the bicyclst from another accident. Betti was taken to the University of Iowa Hospital with multiple fractures, including a broken pelvis and broken ribs, as well as multiple abrasions. [June 23rd 2008] more...
Killed: Benjamin Rodriguez, 5, of Des Moines was hit by a tractor-trailer that was turning onto Scott Avenue from SE 28th St. Police said the incident was accidential and no charged were filed [June 17th 2008]
Injured: Devioin Sanders, 6 of Iowa City escaped serious injury when he rode his bike into the side of a city bus Wednesday afternoon. An investigation was completed and no charges will be filed, police said [June 2nd 2008]. info
Injured: Lucas Hyduke, 5, Iowa City was riding his bicycle along the sidewalk when struck by a vehicle backing from the driveway. Lucas was taken by ambulance to University Hospitals, where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries. Police charged the driver with failure to yield from a private drive. June 2nd 2008. info
Injured: Paul Varum, 43, of Webster City was forced off his bike as a vehicle did a u-turn right in front of him. the vehicle ran over the seat and rear-wheel of Paul's bike and then took off. Paul luckily escaped with only a few scrapes. May 15th 2008.
Injured: Shakarian Jenkins, 4, of Des Moines was seriously injured in a truck-bicycle accident in Des Moines near East 16th Street and Dean Avenue on May 26th
Killed: Randy Van Zee, 56, of Sheldon, struck from behind on County Road B14 in northwestern Iowa on April 4, 2008.
Injured: Teresa Pugh - hit & run on Boonville road near De Soto, May 8th 2008.
Injured: unidentified woman on Raccoon River Valley Trail near Waukee in April ? 2008.

2007

Killed: Douglas Kenny, 21, of West Burlington, was struck from behind by pickup truck and thrown 114 feet on November 9th 2007.
Injured: Richard Robinson, 59, of Des Moines was injured October 23rd 2007.
Killed: Tanya Beruman, 13, of Columbus Junction, was killed when she failed to stop at the intersection and ran into the side of a semitrailer on October 18th, 2007.
Killed: Marie Degn, 67, of Northwood, was struck by truck on Hwy. 105 east of Lake Mills on September 27th, 2007.
Killed: Adam Finley, 30, of Auburn, was killed in Minneapolis, ran into school bus, identified by iPod on September 6th 2007.
Injured: Wayne Rathmann, 77, of Mason City, was hit broadside while riding a recumbent on August 26th 2007.
Injured: Matthew Siclari, of Ames, was injured ISU Veterinary student stuck from behind by truck trying to beat red light on September 7th 2007.
Injured: Howard Campbell, 51, of Des Moines was injured was injured on Sept 6th 2007.
Killed: Jerry Allen Person, 45, of Fort Smith, AK was killed in Muscatine, IA from a hit-and-run. driver arrested, on September 4th 2007.
Killed: Mark Snopek, of Boone, hit-and-run on August 9th 2007. info
Injured: Shauntrez Lamay, 11, of Des Moines, was hit on teh corner of 28th Street and Rollins by a DMPD officer on July 13th 2007.
Injured: Steven Allsup, 47, Clinton, was injured on June 21st 2007.
Injured: John Nielsen, of Dunlap, was injured on June 25th 2007.
Injured: Brad Ashley, 35, Des Moines, was injured on June 19th 2007. He was knocked unconscious, suffered an arm injury and cuts and bruises when he took a spill near East 29th Street and Douglas Avenue. "A police report said Ashley was riding on East 29th Street when he heard a vehicle accelerate behind him and the driver honked the horn.
Killed: David Harris, of Atlantic was killed on June 17th, 2007.
Injured: David Tolander, 52, Waterloo, was injured on June 13th 2007.
Injured: John Schofield, 41, of West Des Moines, was seriously injured while biking northwest of Grimes, on June 12th 2007.
Injured: Sergey Motorny, 26, Des Moines, was seriously injured while biking northwest of Grimes, on June 12th 2007.
Injured: Brian Potteroff – May 2007 – got hit East of Ankeny – rear ended at stop light - Broken Rim – got lucky.
Injured: Amy ? – April 20th 2007 – Hit & run on NW 118th – training for triathlon – was hit with car mirror and knocked to the group. Injuries were only a small fracture in my left pelvis and scapula and she had road burn all the way up her left side and back. Her helmet was pretty well cracked down the back.
Killed: Daniel Robert Lewandowski, 57, of Des Moines was killed while riding his bicycle on SE 14th Street in Des Moines Feb 8th 2007.

2006

Killed: Tina Marie Brown, 46, of Des Moines – riding on Park Ave in Des Moines Dec 8th 2006.
Killed: John Maxwell ,45 - Dallas Center, IA - commuting to work south of Dallas Center - Sept 24, 2006.
Injured: Tom Hayes, 63, of Atlantic, was hit as a motorist crossed the white line near Atlantic, IA. in the fall of Sept 2006. Witnesses saw it happen. No charges fileds. Tom has permanent traumatic brain injury.
Injured: Collin O'Rourke, 14 – Injured on Polk Boulevard was hit by a minivan. July 5th 2006.
Killed: Daniel Young, 45, of Newark, N.Y. a New York man was biking to Colorado and died near Marshalltown, July 1st 2006.
Killed: Bill Perrier 51, of Madrid, July 13, 2006.
Injured: Steve Baker - On July 3, 2006 he was hit by a truck on the Great Western Trail, Life-Flighted out, almost died but survived and is now back cycling
Injured: David Lippold – June 21st 2006 - Road Rage - riding on Polk Boulevard in Des Moines when a driver slammed on the brakes, got out of the car and hit him in the face, then drove off.
Killed: Lewis Palmer 16, or WAUKON was riding his bicycle east on County Road A52 when a vehicle driven by a 19 year old who attempted to pass Palmer in a no-passing zone.

2005

Killed: Br. Bob Breedlove, 53, June 23rd 2005 - a Des Moines doctor and accomplished endurance cyclist, was killed n southern Colorado during the Race Across America. “Just another day in paradise” (Gretchen is his wife).
Killed: Brian Shaver Ankeny, IA September 11, 2005 – early morning training ride – hit by drunk driver

2004

Killed: Daniel Wisnousky, 37 Ames, IA October 23, 2004 - was run over by a grain wagon pulled by a tractor.
Killed: Jean Ann Mohr, 51, of Galva when she was struck by a pickup while riding her bicycle west of Schaller. She was pronounced dead at the scene. September 18th 2004.
Killed: Caleb Krile, 14, of Eddyville was killed when the bike they were riding together was hit from behind by a car in Oskaloosa. The boys were then thrown into the path of another car. Troopers say the boys' bicycle did not have lights. September 8th 2004.
Killed: Taylor Lewis, 14, of Oskaloosa was killed when the bike they were riding together was hit from behind by a car in Oskaloosa. The boys were then thrown into the path of another car. Troopers say the boys' bicycle did not have lights. September 8th 2004.
Killed: David Holmes, 43, of Eldridge , died when he lost control of his bicycle and fell under the wheels of a semi-trailer on a rural Scott County road. July 2004
Killed: Kelli Clover, 13, of Des Moines was hit and killed by a semi-trailer Sunday after riding her bike through the intersection of Euclid and Oxford avenues. The crash was ruled an accident and no charges were filed. July 2004.
Injured: Graham Johnston, 28, of Des Moines hit by a car in Des Moines and hospitalized with broken jaw, broken nose and major facial lacerations on June 5th 2004.

2002

Killed: Jonathan Schutt, 30, of Ames, was riding southbound on the crossing's pedestrian walkway when he was struck by an eastbound train. He had a hearing problem. December 9th 2002 info

2001

Killed: Suzette Carson, 37, of Colfax, was killed by a drunk driver in Colfax on her way home from a convenience store on August 6th 2001. info

1999

Killed: Sheri Jacobs, 23 years old. Killed 4/1/99 on 74th st West Des Moines. Hit from behind by a drunk driver.

Unknowns If anyone has any specifics about these folks, please email Biker@bikeiowa.com with any details. I'd like to give them the repect they deserve on the Ride of Silence.