The International Ride of Silence is held on the third Wednesday of May every year. The ride honors vulnerable road users who have been injured or killed by traffic violence while bicycling, raises awareness that bicyclists have a legal right to use the road, and reminds motorists to respectfully share the road with all users. Join cyclists worldwide in a silent, slow-paced ride to commemorate those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways.
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is the state coordinator for the Ride of Silence, working with groups and individuals to host a ride in Portland and support rides across the state.
Want to host a ride? The Bicycle Coalition of Maine has compiled resources to help guide and support groups and individuals interested in hosting a Ride of Silence in their community. Potential hosts should email anne@bikemaine.org
Ride of Silence guidelines:
- The ride is intended to be silent. Participants should only speak when calling out safety hazards.
- Helmets are required for all participants.
- Routes should not exceed three miles.
- The riding pace should not exceed 10 miles an hour. No riders should be left behind.
- Hosts should provide participants with the rules of the road and group ride protocol prior to departure.
- Hosts should consider notifying local public safety officials about the ride and its route.
- Hosts should consider having participants sign a waiver.
Interested in learning more about facilitating a successful slow ride? Check out one of our Wednesday Webinars on organizing slow rides.
