Riding to raise cyclist awareness on Columbus' roads

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – More than 100 people came together to silently honor the lives of cyclists who have died while riding on Ohio roads. The Ride of Silence organizers said so far this year, four people have died in the state, with three of those deaths coming in Franklin County. The miles-long bike ride [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – More than 100 people came together to silently honor the lives of cyclists who have died while riding on Ohio roads.

The Ride of Silence organizers said so far this year, four people have died in the state, with three of those deaths coming in Franklin County.

The miles-long bike ride is meant to raise awareness and give people time to reflect.

One person shared that on High Street, one of the city’s high injury spots, he was hit while on his bike. It was hard to look around at Wednesday’s ride and not see someone who had a similar story.

“It sticks with you. It's a, it's a memorable ride,” cyclist Tyler Steele said. “It's a, it's a solemn experience.”

The Ride of Silence honored cyclists who have been killed or injured on Ohio roads in the last year.

 “You get these names and you realize that each one's an individual,” cyclist Paul Westrick said. “They all have a family, there's a community around them, and now they're no longer here. It's hard.”

Cyclists wore armbands – black to honor someone who died, red to honor someone who was hit while riding.

“I was taken to the E.R., had a traumatic brain injury,” cyclist John Bannon said.

“Shattered my spine, broke four ribs, and probably never really will recover completely,” cyclist Rob Hendricks said.

Those accidents didn’t stop the group as they took to the roads, biking in silence.

“If someone does get injured, it doesn't just affect that person,” cyclist Gloria Hendricks said. “(It) affects their whole world and, actually, their family, affects their community.”

A community together reflecting on those lost and how they can help spread awareness.

“We’re just going to keep riding,” Bannon said. “I mean, we’re going to, like, let the community know that bikes are here. Bikes are here to stay.”

Yay Bikes!, a cyclist advocacy and education group, hosted the event, now in its 22nd year. More than 150 riders signed up for Wednesday’s ride.