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Ride to honor killed, injured bicyclists
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More from County NewsBicyclists throughout Ventura County can take part in the "Ride of Silence" on Wednesday evening to honor cyclists injured or killed in the United States every year because of crashes with motor vehicles.
Organizer J.C. Simmons, a Thousand Oaks man and president of the Conejo Valley Cyclists, said about 680 cyclists were killed in the United States in 2007 because of a crash involving a motor vehicle. Many more were injured.
Simmons hopes Wednesday's ride, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Janss Marketplace near Hillcrest Drive and Wilbur Road, will send a message that motorists must learn to share the road with bicyclists.
"Bicycles are supposed to be on the road," said Simmons.
He cited example after example in which inattentive drivers cut off cyclists, causing riders to crash, often with disastrous consequences.
While motorists might end up with just a dent or scratch on their vehicles, such collisions often mean an ambulance ride to the hospital for the bicyclist.
The annual Ride of Silence will be held across the nation. The first ride was held in 2003 in Dallas to remember a bicycle rider killed after being struck by the mirror of a school bus.
Wednesday's ride here will honor Glenn Garvin, 49, a Thousand Oaks traffic commissioner struck and killed by a car while riding his bicycle on Westlake Boulevard in September 2006.
Riders will begin gathering at 6:30 p.m. at Hillcrest and Wilbur. A brief program will be held before the riders depart at 7 p.m. on a relatively flat, 10.5-mile route to Westlake Village and back. The public is invited.
Participants must wear helmets, Simmons said. Lights in the front and back are also suggested, he said.
For more information, visit http://www.cvcbike.org/ros08/RoS2008.html.
Posted by Ms_California on May 20, 2008 at 6:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great Cause! I think that especially since the price of gas is so high right now that bicycling to work or elsewhere is a great and healthy mode of transportation if it is possible for you. I think that motorist too need to be aware of and be courteous to bicyclists as well. I also think this is great because they are promoting bike safty with the helmet and lights.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 20, 2008 at 6:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah it should have been ride to remember those killed riding bicycles to be remembered.
Posted by wynonarose on May 20, 2008 at 6:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Agree that it is a great cause and hopefully will raise awareness in car drivers to be mindful of cyclists.
Hope it also raises the awareness of bicycle riders to mind the rules of the road. Too many riding the wrong way, weaving in and out of driveways to avoid traffic, running stop signs, etc. Road safety should be taught at home and in the schools to teenagers and below who are too young to actually know the rules of the road.
Posted by imdunnfor on May 20, 2008 at 7:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Not to dishonor those killed or injured, but I would guess that seeing bicyclists run full speed through stopsigns, red lights, etc. and riding in the middle of lanes on winding roads (Highway 150 for example) where they can't be seen by cars coming around the bend is the cause of most of the bicyclists accidents. Putting all the blame on motorists is really misplaced.
Posted by omie on May 20, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
imdunnfor the blame goes both ways I agree. There are a few riders that don't follow any rules. I myself have been run off the road twice in camarillo because someone was not paying attention and the 2nd time she was on the phone. Both landing me in the hospital with cuts and bruises but even worst a head injury so no serious damages there right. I was in the bike lane, when I was nudged off the road into the curb. I do merge with traffic when turning at lights but stick to my lane. I averaged just under 500 miles last year on my commuter so I figure 1 wreck a year isn't so bad at least I'm still alive. This ride may or may not bring any attention but at least they are trying.
Posted by noahsapothecary on May 20, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
While the statistics cite how many cyclists were injured, it does not delineate who was at fault. I wonder if ALL of the accidents were the fault of the auto drivers, which is what seems to be implied.
There are more than a handful of cyclists out there who don't obey the rules. I have lost my patience with them (and motorcyclists, too).
Parents tell their children to ride on the sidewalk because the roads are too dangerous, adults ride the wrong way on roads. My favorite is the cyclist who, wishing to make a left hand turn at an intersection, suddenly turns from the curb to make use of a crosswalk, expecting the autos to stop for them in a instant.
But their disobedient behavior is the same when the rider becomes a driver. If you think you don't have to come to a full stop on a cycle, you are probably the same person who rolls thru a stop sign or a right turn on red when in your car.
We need to become less self-absorbed and begin to re-learn a lost skill - common courtesy. It means we have to reel in our egos and the attitude of the rules don't apply to me because....(fill in any one of dozens of excuses used).
B Dawson
Posted by SCfan01 on May 20, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gottbewhite is a moron big time!
Posted by SCfan01 on May 20, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
noahsapothecary
I have seen a lot more bad drivers than bad bicyclists. Dailey I encounter the driver who suddenly speeds up when you signal to change lanes. The one who suddenly stops, literally stops on the freeway to change lanes because they do not want to miss the exit. It really is getting to be ridiculous out there.
Posted by wolf9walker on May 20, 2008 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with the autos and the bicyclist. The problem is the autos put the blame on bicyclist, and bicyclist put the blame on autos. It’s the same with pedestrians. We, all need to pay attention and Obey the rules of the road
walk, ride and drive safely. the life you save. most likely will be your own.
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