Silent rides honor dead and injured bicyclists

(AP) – Bicyclists are pedaling in silence in six Maryland communities as a way of remembering riders who were killed or injured on public roads.

The so-called Rides of Silence are scheduled Wednesday evening in Annapolis, Baltimore, Frederick, Hagerstown, Olney and Rockville.

Coordinator Emily Ranson says they’ll follow routes of 10 to 12 miles at speeds of about 10 mph.

The Maryland Department of Transportation says bicycle fatalities in the state doubled from five in 2014 to ten in 2015.

According to the website http://www.rideofsilence.org 49 other U.S states will be participating including Delaware and Virginia.

In Delaware, Wilmington’s 4th Annual Ride of Silence will be hosted by the White Clay Bicycle Club and the City of Wilmington. The Lewes ride will start promptly at 7 PM behind the Wawa on Coastal Highway. CyclIsts are asked to come to the starting point at 6:30 PM to sign the ride waiver and for predatory remarks.

Also in Virginia Hampton Roads, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Radford, Richmond, and Virginia Beach will reportedly be participating.