The annual Chicago Ride of Silence, held yesterday evening amidst pleasant weather and scenic surroundings, took on a poignant tone as participants gathered to honor those injured or killed while cycling and advocate for safer streets. This event, part of a global movement, aimed to raise awareness about the importance of bicycle safety and pay tribute to individuals affected by cycling accidents.
The route for this year’s ride, which traversed the city’s Northwest Side, held particular significance. At three different locations along the route, riders paused to reflect on the tragic events that unfolded there, where two cyclists were either injured or killed in separate incidents, occurring either at the same intersection or within close proximity.
The gathering commenced at Queen’s Landing, situated on the Lakefront Trail across DuSable Lake Shore Drive from Buckingham Fountain, where participants, including downtown workers and residents, congregated before embarking on the ride. The group, numbering approximately 200, then proceeded north along the shoreline to Dickens Greenway Plaza, the designated starting point of the event.
At Dickens Greenway Plaza, the names of five individuals who lost their lives while cycling on Chicago streets over the past year were solemnly displayed. These included Donald Heggemann, Joshua Anleu Buendia, Józef Strus, Ron Mendoza, and Rick Lomas, each tragically succumbing to accidents involving motor vehicles. The names of pedestrians fatally struck during the same period were also memorialized.
Elizabeth Adamczyk, a longstanding organizer of the Chicago Ride of Silence, delivered remarks prior to the commencement of the main ride, expressing gratitude for the support of organizations like the Active Transportation Alliance. She outlined the planned itinerary, which included visits to crash sites and “ghost bike” memorials honoring recent victims, as well as a tribute to the late George Christensen, a prominent figure in the local cycling community.
The ride itself proceeded in silence, a gesture of respect for those lost, and in solidarity with similar events taking place worldwide. Upon reaching its conclusion at Kilbourn and Milwaukee avenues in the Old Irving Park neighborhood, participants paused to remember Carla Aiello and Nick Parlington, both fatally struck while cycling in the vicinity.
In closing, Adamczyk offered words of hope, emphasizing the importance of collective action in advocating for safer streets and ensuring that the memory of fallen cyclists lives on. Participants were then invited to convene at the nearby Sleeping Village music venue and beer garden in Avondale for a post-ride gathering, where stories of remembrance and resilience were shared amongst attendees.