Bike riders in Des Moines, Mason City and Charles City will take to the roadways in silence tonight (Wednesday) to try and create some noise about fallen friends. Scott Sumpter is one of the cyclists who’ll take part in “The Ride of Silence ” in Des Moines.
Sumpter says its a group of cyclists that “gather together to honor those that have been injured or killed on America’s roadways.” He says they also want to raise awareness that cyclists are on the roadways and are legally entitled to share the roadways.
Sumpter says bicyclists are concerned that people in other vehicles don’t seem to be paying enough attention to the bikes on the roads. He says, “The more we cycle, the more we seem to know people that have gotten hit, sideswiped or even killed.”
Sumpter says this is a worldwide event with 245 rides in 49 states, seven countries and five continents, all taking place at seven p.m. Sumpter says he knows of at least three riders from Iowa that have been killed while on their bicycles. Sumpter says Brian Shaver got killed last year outside of Ankeny, Doctor Bob Breedlove was killed in a cycling accident in Colorado, and Daniel Wisnewksi was killed in an accident just outside of Ames.
The cyclists in Des Moines will meet at the State Historical Building and ride silently through downtown Des Moines.