May is National Bike Month and, in observance, the city of Richmond will play host to riders taking part in the 4^th Annual Ride of Silence (ROS) tomorrow, May 21.

According to event literature, the Ride of Silence is a worldwide event in which bicyclists in communities throughout the globe ride through their respective communities in a show of solidarity and in honor of the memories of cyclists who have been injured or killed on the road.  The purpose of the demonstration does not end there however.

The ROS is also intended to raise awareness of bikers in their communities and promote the view that the roadway must be shared with bicyclists and pedestrians in addition to cars.  Last year’s events took place at venues in all 50 U.S. states and in nearly 20 other countries throughout the world.

In Richmond’s case, the ROS riders and their uniformed police escorts will meet in front of Richmond City Hall at 440 Civic Center Plaza in Richmond at 5:00 pm to gather and organize the ride.  Mayor Gayle McLaughlin will join the group at 5:30 pm and, after some brief remarks, ride to El Cerrito with the group for post-ride food and drinks at the Off the Grid food truck location.

The ride through the city will feature brief stops at different locations where citizens have been hurt or killed while riding their bikes as well as places where the city has put new and improved safety measures into effect to help ensure that the community is a welcoming venue for cyclists and pedestrians alike.

For more information on the event, visit http://www.richmondbpac.org/ROS.