On a serene Wednesday evening, 14 cyclists halted midway through their 10-mile journey, easing onto the curb along Lincoln Avenue in Skokie, where Al’s Cycle Shop stands as a silent sentinel.
Acknowledging the solemn occasion, ride leader Dave Barish and shop proprietor Larry Binder exchanged a handshake devoid of words. Fellow cyclists followed suit with silent nods, marking a collective moment of reflection on the stark reality that none among them had met a tragic end while biking.
However, this fortune eludes countless cyclists across the nation. Since the inception of Al’s in 1944, an estimated 60,000 to 75,000 cyclists have perished on American roads. These fatalities, spanning eight decades, reflect a population akin to that of Skokie or Evanston succumbing to the perils of cycling, primarily in collisions involving automobiles.
Prior to their arrival at Al’s, the cyclists congregated outside Wheel & Sprocket on Davis Street in Evanston. Here, Barish solemnly elucidated the significance of the “Ride of Silence,” an annual observance embraced by the cycling community nationwide.
“We all have acquaintances or loved ones who have suffered injury or lost their lives while cycling,” Barish remarked. “Tonight, we ride in silence to honor their memory.”
Among those remembered was John Greenfield, editor of StreetsBlog Chicago, who sustained severe injuries in a cycling accident last year in southern Illinois but has since resumed his advocacy for cycling safety.
Attendees were invited to pay tribute to others lost or impacted by cycling tragedies. Their narratives underscored a shared lament for lives cut short and a consensus on the preventability of such incidents. Whether in designated bike lanes or on sidewalks, these cyclists fell victim to the inattentiveness of motorists—an unfortunate reality that underscores the need for greater road safety awareness.
Departing from Wheel & Sprocket, the procession wended its way through Evanston and into Skokie, the ambient soundscape punctuated only by the rhythmic whir of pedals and the hum of tires on pavement. Along the route, a brief interruption—a blaring horn from a passing motorist—served as a stark reminder of the fragility of their existence on the road.
Despite the interruption, the cyclists maintained their composure, their resolve bolstered by the presence of three Skokie police officers among their ranks. At one juncture, a passerby inquired if the procession was a police-led event, to which a succinct response was offered: “It’s a ride of silence.”
This exchange, though sparing, encapsulated the reverence and restraint characterizing the evening’s proceedings—a silent tribute to those lost and a poignant reminder of the shared responsibility for road safety.
As the cyclists pedaled onward, their muted journey served as a poignant testament to the enduring memory of those who have fallen, and a call to action for safer streets for all.