MIAMI (WSVN) - Cyclists joined the Silent Ride in South Florida and across the globe to push for safer riding conditions on the street.
The eight-mile ride was accomplished in complete silence, some said, like a funeral procession in memory of those killed while riding their bikes. “I had to do it. That’s all I could tell you,” said Maribel Reyes, whose husband was killed while cycling. “I actually broke my finger recently, and I haven’t been on a bike in a while, but I have to be here. I have to be here because it’s a good way of remembering him.”
Reyes joined about 200 cyclists at Crandon Park Marina in Key Biscayne, Wednesday, for the very special event for cyclists. “Last year, my husband died in January, a few yards away from here,” Reyes said, “so that’s why I’m here.”
Aaron Cohen was also killed in this area four years ago. “We’ve made some small infrastructure changes on the Rickenbacker, but it’s not near enough,” said one cyclist. “We still have a lot to do to make cycling a safe activity in Miami.”
Maria Luisa de Jesus Hoover organized the Silent Ride with her husband Michael. They hope this ride will educate drivers and cyclists about sharing the street.
Arm bands were worn during the event with a special purpose. Those wearing a black arm band signified a loved one being killed. Those who wore a red band meant they were hit but lived to tell the tale. “Eleven years ago, I was struck on the road as I was leaving Key Biscayne, and I was lucky enough to survive,” said a woman wearing a red band.
Miami-Dade Police Lt. Lisa Vila used the time to reflect on another officer’s ride. “Our fellow officer woke up on a beautiful South Florida day, decided to go for a ride with his wife, and you know what happened,” she said.
A Miami-Dade Police lieutenant was injured and lost his wife to a crash this past weekend. He is still recovering from his injuries.
No other state has more bicycling fatalities than Florida, but these riders want to change that statistic.
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