The Ride Of Silence

The Ride Of Silence

• To HONOR those cyclist injured or killed by Motorists
• To Raise Awareness that cyclist are here
• To ask that we all SHARE THE ROAD, bicycles are traffic too, it's the law

Wednesday, May 20, 2009
6:45pm - 8:00pm
ACROSS ROAD FROM MAST ACADEMY SCHOOL
3979 Rickenbacker Causeway
Key Biscayne, FL
Free (We don't want money) This is a memorial.

Helmets are required

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria Luisa De Jesus: mldejesus@ymail.com or John Voss: jvoss@jvossman.com

One essential aspect of this event, as pointed out by Rydel @ his "Miami Bike Scene" blog:

"Helmets required.".

Of course, if the organizers of this event wish to enforce that requirement, that is their prerogative.

It should not be hyperbolized that I suggest they advocate a legal requirement that cyclists wear helmets on public streets.

However, I must point out that it is this requirement; and this requirement alone that precludes the participation of South Florida's oldest living bikemessenger. [There may be some dead ones older than I---I'm not sure].

In over half a century of cycling in Miami-Dade, you might reasonably expect me to "have seen it all", so to speak.

But my head, in spite of numerous collisions and injuries, have yet to see these two:

I. A head injury.

II. A helmet on it.

Perhaps for some cyclists....perhaps for most cyclists. Heck, perhaps for everyone except me, a helmet is a worthy safety precaution.

I have found, on the occasions when I have taken a fall, that despite the unpleasant surprise, I have sufficient time to maneuver my body so as to choose the point of impact. Thusly, I have avoided head injuries (and probably, injuries to other vital body parts).

In all fairness, I should point out, there are those who do not regard my head as a "vital body part"

But my case is not against or for the employ of bike helmets.

I mean to make the case for individual decision-making.

For me, a strident advocate of personal liberties and responsibilities, laws requiring the use of bike helmets are a comic irony.

If the brain in the helmet cannot decide for itself whether it needs a helmet to protect it, then what is the point of protecting it against it's will?

I am, of course, very sympathetic to the theme of this event.

I would be pleased and honored to attend; but for the organizers showing some respect for my judgment as to my personal safety.

And by extension, the judgment of all my fellows.


---The Bikemessenger

You also don't use lights at night, but most people are not as capable of surviving with no safety measures. I have a friend that has suffered brain damage from a chain snapping, I work with people who work at UM's brain and spinal chord trauma center, and so many kids and adults have serious injuries from being hit by cars.
I think it makes sense to wear a helmet, and I'll ride with one for this ride.
I don't think they'll kick you off the ride for no helmet, but someone may tell you something about that.

Collin:

One of the things that worries me about what I do is that others will see it, and assume that it will work for them too.

Again, I do not oppose the use of helmets. I do oppose helmets or any other passive safety device being made mandatory.

The flaw in the "you must use a helmet in order to be safe" logic is that no amount of protective gear can totally overcome the mass and speed differences between cyclists and motor vehicles.

While helmets or knee or shoulder pads (Note: shoulder and hip pads would have prevented my worst injuries) may provide some protection, and for some, a degree of protection well worth the bother, for others, such as I, they are not.

Clearly, anyone who has avoided injury by wearing a helmet must be judged to have made the correct decision for themselves as to helmet wearing, all else the same.

It's only the individual decision making that I defend. That, and not bike helmets, is the "endangered species", so to speak, in this discussion.

Even after all these decades, I still encounter people that ascribe my success in maintaining my safety to pure luck.

But hardly a day goes by that I don't see another cyclist handle a dangerous situation differently than I would, all else being the same.

And while the other cyclist may come through unscathed---their actions a correct response---still, it's not what I would have done.

A lot of my strategies for dealing with traffic require anticipation, experience and a willingness to take carefully calculated risks.

I don't advocate that others employ them. Only that others be free to use the greatest power at their disposal to defend their own interests. That being the the power of the individual human mind.

Cheers,
---Robert

Hi all,

I totally agree with you on the personal choice issue. I also believe in helmets. Wearing a helmet have already save me 3 times from bad injury (1 on a road ride 1 on a leisure ride and 1 mountain biking). It is all about making a bad situation better, the difference between going home or going to the hospital. I used to race cars (legally), I use the car seatbelt not because it is the law but because it may save me from a worst result.

I also think helmets are actually cool looking, they can complement your bike and/or jersey...

Helmets are required, it is legal copy. You can thank every lawyer for that.

It is usually more important to me to defend the rights of the rebel than the mainstream view. Politically, I can easily wear a helmet an still vigorously defend the rights of the people who don't want to wear a helmet.

When I examine what the Ride of Silence is s tribute to, "Larry Schwarts" however, there are other things to consider..
http://www.ultracycli...

" .. In 2002, Larry logged 22,980 miles in the UMCA Mileage Challenge. He was leading the 2003 UMC when he was stuck and killed by a school bus in May 2003. Larry, who was wearing a helmet, was struck by the bus' mirror. "

This memorial ride is dedicated to what a tremendous inspiration Larry was (and still is). All along I have been regarding the printed caveat that "Helmets are required" as to be part of the statement that we are all making in participating in the ride. My take on the the "world message" is that this cool guy died because, of inconsiderate drivers <not because he wasn't wearing a helmet>. I want to participate in the world wide unified simple message..
"I'm wearing my helmet, biatch! Don't kill me!"

Sometimes I wear helmets and sometimes I don't; it seems somehow crucial to me that (for the sake of the memorial ride message) that I should be wearing a helmet on this night. ..So, I will.

- jimBo - Miami

Hi Guys, The Ride of Silence will go on rain or shine ! ! ! !
Bring a rain jacket just in case. Hope you all can make it.
It is for an amazing cause.

Regards.

WOW!!!!!!! GREAT VIDEO ! ! !

My wife, Maria Luisa De Jesus, is this years Ride Of Silence organizer and for years to come. This video can help promote this event in the future. Also great police volunteer presence, city officials and fire rescue department.

How can we get a copy of it? pleaseeee????

Can you please contact us at: Maria Luisa De Jesus: mldejesus@ymail.com

btw, we had PERFECT WEATHER ! ! !

Mike, glad you like video

go to http://vimeo.com/4761...

on the bottom right hand corner you will see a link to download the video

actually.. this is a direct link to download the video

you can use it for whatever purpose you like.. I just ask that it is not altered in any way

by any chance, is your wife Maria the woman in front of the camera at 4:17?

I'm just guessing because that person seemed to be one of the volunteers/organizers