Cyclists Bike through Charlottesville in “Ride of Silence”

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Updated: 12:09 AM May 20, 2010

For the first time in Charlottesville, cyclists had the opportunity to participate in the international "Ride of Silence". The seven-mile ride is held in remembrance of bicyclists in the area who have died or been injured while riding.

Posted: 10:47 PM May 19, 2010
Reporter: Jessica Jaglois
Email Address: jessica.jaglois@newsplex.com

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May 19, 2010

About sixty cyclists took part in the police-escorted ride that led them through downtown Charlottesville and the University of Virginia Wednesday night.

Many cyclists told CBS 19 that they had one rider in mind, Uva grad student Matthew King. King was killed in April after a vehicle struck him while he was cycling in downtown Charlottesville.

“I’m certainly going to be reflecting on the recent death, Matt King, and try to remember him and to remember that we’re all in danger when we’re on our bikes,” said cyclist Ruth Stornetta.

Several cyclists at Wednesday evening’s event said they have been hit, run off the road or injured by a motorist.

While the “Ride of Silence” focuses on remembering others, it’s also a day to remind cyclists to be careful when crossing paths with motorists.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Anonymous on May 21, 2010 at 03:59 PM

Concerned citizen: the accident with Mr. King was a tragedy. However, you are misinterpreting the law. Bicyclist can pass on the right - but only where it is safe to do so. In this instance, according to witnesses, the driver of the vehicle had legally signalled and was in the process of turning when the cyclist attempted to pass him. The cyclist may not have been able to see the turn signal, either because he had been on the sidewalk or was very close to the vehicle (it's unclear which was the case) but either way, it's not legally safe to pass a vehicle in an intersection where the vehicle may be turning. Cyclists also need to think about the distinction between an action that is legal, but not necessarily safe. Bikes are hard to see, even for drivers that are looking for them. Passing on the right on a crowded street between parked cars and moving vehicles is an inherently dangerous enterprise. That doesn't excuse lousy drivers - but there are bad cyclists and bad drivers.

Posted by: concerned_citizen Location: Charlottesville on May 20, 2010 at 02:35 PM

Everyone needs to be familiar with the laws which includes the right of cyclists to pass other vehicles on the right. That's what Mr. King was doing, passing on the right. Here is the law from the Code of Virginia: § 46.2-907. Overtaking and passing vehicles. A person riding a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, motorized skateboard or scooter, or moped may overtake and pass another vehicle on either the left or right side, staying in the same lane as the overtaken vehicle, or changing to a different lane, or riding off the roadway as necessary to pass with safety.

Posted by: cyclist Location: Charlottesville on May 20, 2010 at 12:17 PM

The ride of silence yesterday was a police-sanctioned and escorted event. The ride was accompanied by three plice officers and the rules of the ride e.g. riding two abreast were sanctioned in advance by the officers escorting the ride. No rules of the road were broken on this ride. If you are in doubt, please contact the Charlottesville police department for comment.

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