Harrisburg Ride of Silence - Wed, May 21, 2025
We could not control the weather; however, we did not let it sway our participation in the Ride of Silence.
Thirty very determined riders (20 departing from Green Street and 10 from the Camp Hill location) and more than 20 spectators who drove/rode to the capitol steps to honor Nineteen Pennsylvania residents who lost their lives on PA roadways in vehicle crashes and the hundreds injured.
We united tonight Wednesday, May 21,2025 on all types of bikes, all ages and abilities and rode silently escorted by Harrisburg Fire Department, Harrisburg Police and on bike Officer Lex from the Swatara Police Department. We represent different reason why we bike, FITNESS –RECOVERY – PLEASURE – MENTAL HEALTH – AND FOR SOME THEIR ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. Please do not view us as a nuisance. We too must take responsibility for our safety on the road. Obey the traffic laws, be visible, have working brakes, lights and wear a helmet.
We rode here in silence, and some choose to drive (weather was a huge factor) to honor the 19 cyclists who were killed while cycling on Pennsylvania roadways in 13 counties each with white ghost bike and the single red bike for the hundreds who were injured. There is a special white bike display at the Pennsylvania DUI Association on 2413 Front Street for Dr. Barbara Friedes who was killed by a drunk driver in a bike lane returning home from work from the Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia July 17, 2024. It will remain there until the first anniversary of her death ( 7/17/2025) and a permanent brick is in the memorial garden.
Twenty-four years ago, Chris Phelan organized the first ROS in Dallas TX after his friend Larry Schwartz an endurance, experienced rider was hit by a mirror of a passing bus and killed.
Today, in more than 250 worldwide locations, almost every state, multiple cities, 16 countries and 5 continents, thousands of cyclists united to ride silently at 7:00 pm.
We placed roses on or by a white / ghost bike. Thank you Pedego Harrisburg for the flowers and HBC for financial help. Recycle Bicycle Harrisburg for the bikes and much more to make this event possible. All the volunteers who set up the bikes for the 21-hour display and tore down after the ceremony.
The flowers will be collected and made into arrangements for hospice patients. While flowers were placed a poem by Mike Murgas was read as it was read worldwide.
Shared memories of the Ride of Silence May 21, 2025 - Diane Dankman Riley