By LOUISE WREGE - HP Staff Writer | Posted December 9, 2017 | View Original Post
BENTON TOWNSHIP — About 30 bicyclists hit the roads Wednesday in an effort to raise awareness for biker safety.
As part of the annual Ride of Silence, sponsored by Cycle-Re-Cycle in Benton Township, the participants rode throughout Benton Harbor and St. Joseph.
“This international event is held the third Wednesday in May all over the world to remember cyclists who have been killed or injured while riding a bike,” said Michael O’Hearn, president of Cycle-Re-Cycle.
O’Hearn said there’s been a 37- to 44-percent increase in the number of bicycle fatalities in the past decade.
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The National Safety Council found that of the 1,260 preventable bicyclist deaths in 2020 in the United States, 806 were due to motor-vehicle crashes.
The Ride of Silence was started in 2003 in Dallas after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was killed after being hit by a bus mirror while riding his bike.
About 30 bicyclists ride away Wednesday from the parking lot of North Pier Brewing Co. in Benton Township during the Ride of Silence.
O’Hearn said the local group joined the ride in 2014 and has taken part every year, except the past two years due to the pandemic.
“It’s a slow ride. It’s not competitive. It’s to bring more awareness to cyclists,” he said.
Marilyn Havenga of St. Joseph, a volunteer at Cycle-Re-Cycle, said May is also Bicycle Safety Month.
She said groups in almost every state take part in the Ride of Silence.
Debra Panozzo, coordinator for Cycle-Re-Cycle, said the organization is signing youth ages 12-17 up for L’Earn-A-Bike – an eight-week program where youth can learn how to maintain and repair their bicycles.
The program starts June 15 and will meet from 2-4:30 p.m. every Wednesday through Aug. 3. At the end, the youth can pick out their own bike to rehabilitate with the help of volunteers.
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Call Cycle-Re-Cycle at 252-5040 or email cycle.re.cycle.swm@gmail.com for more information.
Cycle-Re-Cycle, a nonprofit, is open 5-8 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays at 159 E. Napier Ave., Benton Township.
Contact: lwrege@TheHP.com, 932-0361, Twitter: @HPWrege