A usually joyful experience will take on darker undertone Wednesday, May 20, during the Ride of Silence, when local cyclists set out at 7 p.m. from Heisler Park to honor 13 cyclists who died in bike accidents in Orange County since 2014.
The ride’s intent is to honor those injured or killed and to raise awareness with motorists about sharing the road with cyclists, said local bike activist Les Miklosy, who says similar rides are planned around the world.
“Single file – silent riders – pacing out for 8 to 10 miles…we will share this hour with each other, and know that thousands across the planet will also have marked the hour in their own time zone, but also raise awareness among the many local motorists who will be witnesses of our somber parade,” Miklosy said.
He urged riders to assemble by 6 p.m. wearing reflective gear and a black armband showing solidarity or red for those who survived injury by a motorist.
The following is a list of bike deaths:
Jordan Ames, 21 (May 30, 2014, Santa Ana)
John Colvin, 55 (June 17, Laguna Beach)
Rafael Correa, 19 (July 5, Fullerton)
Artemio Ortiz, 56 (Aug. 1, Orange)
Michael Bastien, 55 (Sept. 1, Huntington Beach)
William Rowland, 61 (Sept. 5, Huntington Beach)
Shaun Eagleson, 30 ( Oct. 19, Newport Coast)
Daniella Palacios, 44 (Nov. 1, Anaheim)
Cesar Labastida, 74 (Nov. 15, Laguna Woods)
Hassan Davoodiara, 69 (Nov. 15, Santa Ana)
Vihn Tran, 36 (Dec. 27, Fountain Valley)
Timothy Binau, 41 (April 1, 2015, Anaheim)
Robert Horton, 62 (May 4, 2015, Santa Ana)
Further details, see: LagunaStreets.blogspot.com
