Ride of Silence 2008

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Heads up on this years Ride of Silence, there's several events and groups (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=17515096322) on facebook as well.

****

Join cyclists worldwide in a silent slow-paced ride (max. 12 mph/20 kph) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways.

The Australian Ride of Silence will be held on Saturday 24th May 2008. (Bowral RoS will be on Sunday 25th May) Rides are planned for Sydney, Bowral, Bendigo, Melbourne, Townsville and Adelaide.

Read here for a roundup of the 2007 Australian Ride of Silence (http://www.woj.com.au/2007/05/21/ride-of-silence-australia-2007-2/). Ride of Silence category (http://www.woj.com.au/category/ride-of-silence) where you can read previous years reports. For more local ride details visit the international Ride of Silence (http://www.rideofsilence.org/locations-international.php?i=Australia#Australia) site.

Sydney: 10am, Saturday 24th May. Start: Archibald Fountain, Hyde Park.

Bowral: 7.30am, Sunday 25th May. Start: Bowral Swimming Pool Car Park. Ride organised by the Ben Mikic Foundation.
Poster: http://benmikicfoundation.org.au/documents/RideofSilencePoster.pdf

Bendigo: Proposed ride details: 8:45am, Saturday 24th May 2008. Start: Epsom Sports Complex in Howard Street.

Adelaide: 9am, Saturday 24th May. Start: Victoria Square, immediately to the East of the tram stop. Ride organised by BISA.
Poster: http://bisa.asn.au/html/documents/_BISA%20Documents/Your%20Invitation%20to%20the%20Adelaide%20Ride%20of%20Silence%202008.pdf

Melbourne: 10am, Saturday 24th May. Start: Federation Square.

Townsville: 8.30am, Saturday 24th May. Start: Strand Rockpool car park.

After last Friday's hit and run on the Vikings bunch, we're inspired
to get a RoS going in Canberra at late notice. Meeting tomorrow
(Wednesday the 7th May) 1pm at the Purple Pickle cafe in the ANU for
anyone interested in helping out.

After last Friday's hit and run on the Vikings bunch, we're inspired
to get a RoS going in Canberra at late notice. Meeting tomorrow
(Wednesday the 7th May) 1pm at the Purple Pickle cafe in the ANU for
anyone interested in helping out.

Also ensure that whoever's organising a Canberra ride adds the details to the international RoS site.

http://www.rideofsilence.org/addlocation.php

Any police action or follow up on what actually happened?

On May 6, 11:51 pm, cfsmtb <cfsmtb.38z...@no-
mx.forums.cyclingforums.com> wrote:
> Simon Wrote:
>
> > After last Friday's hit and run on the Vikings bunch, we're inspired
> > to get a RoS going in Canberra at late notice. Meeting tomorrow
> > (Wednesday the 7th May) 1pm at the Purple Pickle cafe in the ANU for
> > anyone interested in helping out.
>
> Also ensure that whoever's organising a Canberra ride adds the details
> to the international RoS site.
>
> http://www.rideofsilence.org/addlocation.php
>
> Any police action or follow up on what actually happened?
>
> --
> cfsmtb

The cops took it seriously at the time, sending out the crash
investigation people. I'm trying to chase up with them but having
trouble getting on to the relevant people...

On 2008-05-06, Simon (aka Bruce)
was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:
> On May 6, 11:51 pm, cfsmtb <cfsmtb.38z...@no-
> mx.forums.cyclingforums.com> wrote:
>> Any police action or follow up on what actually happened?
>
> The cops took it seriously at the time, sending out the crash
> investigation people. I'm trying to chase up with them but having
> trouble getting on to the relevant people...

Please post back with status when it happens...

Were you in the bunch?

--
TimC
Using top down development, you never have any working code. Using bottom
up development, you never solve the problem. -- John Kelly in debian-user

On May 5, 11:55 pm, cfsmtb <cfsmtb.38x...@no-
mx.forums.cyclingforums.com> wrote:
> Heads up on this years Ride of Silence, there's 'several events and
> groups' (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=17515096322) on facebook
> as well.
>
> ****
>
> Join cyclists worldwide in a silent slow-paced ride (max. 12 mph/20
> kph) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on
> public roadways.
>
> The Australian Ride of Silence will be held on Saturday 24th May 2008.
> (Bowral RoS will be on Sunday 25th May) Rides are planned for Sydney,
> Bowral, Bendigo, Melbourne, Townsville and Adelaide.
>
> Read here for a roundup of the '2007 Australian Ride of Silence'
> (http://www.woj.com.au/2007/05/21/ride-of-silence-australia-2007-2/).
> 'Ride of Silence category'
> (http://www.woj.com.au/category/ride-of-silence) where you can read
> previous years reports. For more local ride details visit the
> international 'Ride of Silence' (http://tinyurl.com/272gpo) site.
>
> Sydney: 10am, Saturday 24th May. Start: Archibald Fountain, Hyde Park.
>
> Bowral: 7.30am, Sunday 25th May. Start: Bowral Swimming Pool Car Park.
> Ride organised by the Ben Mikic Foundation.
> Poster:http://benmikicfoundation.org.au/documents/RideofSilencePoster.pdf
>
> Bendigo: Proposed ride details: 8:45am, Saturday 24th May 2008. Start:
> Epsom Sports Complex in Howard Street.
>
> Adelaide: 9am, Saturday 24th May. Start: Victoria Square, immediately
> to the East of the tram stop. Ride organised by BISA.
> Poster:http://tinyurl.com/4yk788
>
> Melbourne: 10am, Saturday 24th May. Start: Federation Square.
>
> Townsville: 8.30am, Saturday 24th May. Start: Strand Rockpool car park.
>
> --
> cfsmtb

Deafening silence in Brisbane. We've had two quite respectable rides
in past years, but even with postings on RoadGrime and BikeQld, no one
seems to want to step forward (I will be away). Sad. Brisbane has the
issues as much as anywhere else, but evidently has a fine tradition of
standing back. Good luck everyone else.

Donga

On May 7, 10:53 am, TimC <tconn...@no.spam.accepted.here-
astro.swin.edu.au> wrote:

>
> Were you in the bunch?
>


I was in the faster bunch who'd done a detour up Stromlo, so arrived
what must have been about 20 or 30 seconds after - people were still
on the ground and trying to work out what the hell had just happened.
It was a terrible feeling cresting the hill and seeing the carnage,
knowing that my gf, friends and team mates were in there, but not
knowing who or how badly people were hurt. Just gave the AFP another
call and I have an incident number and the name of a constable but no
contact yet..

Deafening silence in Brisbane. We've had two quite respectable rides
in past years, but even with postings on RoadGrime and BikeQld, no one
seems to want to step forward (I will be away). Sad. Brisbane has the
issues as much as anywhere else, but evidently has a fine tradition of
standing back. Good luck everyone else.


Oh well, it's up to the locals. With most community-themed stuff, getting something like this going is a ensemble effort. The Townsville crew are a inspirational mob, just emailed them the basic concept & off they went. I'll have another attempt at the Bike-QLD list this arvo to enlist possible interest. ;)

Simon wrote:
> On May 7, 10:53 am, TimC <tconn...@no.spam.accepted.here-
> astro.swin.edu.au> wrote:
>
>> Were you in the bunch?
>>
>
>
> I was in the faster bunch who'd done a detour up Stromlo, so arrived
> what must have been about 20 or 30 seconds after - people were still
> on the ground and trying to work out what the hell had just happened.
> It was a terrible feeling cresting the hill and seeing the carnage,
> knowing that my gf, friends and team mates were in there, but not
> knowing who or how badly people were hurt. Just gave the AFP another
> call and I have an incident number and the name of a constable but no
> contact yet..

Luckily I've been sick for a few weeks, otherwise may well have been on
the bunch ride myself. I was able to take Simon's call and arrive with a
car to cart away the wreckage. The rider that suffered the greatest
injuries looked terrible when I saw him on Sunday. His bike was in
remarkably good shape despite his forks being severed about half way
down. He had no injuries on his hands or elbows... just his face! Eeek!

Keep safe out there peoples!

*bump*

The rides start tomorrow, Saturday 24 May with nine rides in Adelaide, Bendigo, Bowral, Canberra, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Mount Isa, Sydney and Townsville.

Australian Media Release (PDF, 82kb) (http://www.woj.com.au/AustralianRideOfSilence22May.08.pdf)

Australian Rides + Contact details (http://www.rideofsilence.org/locations-international.php?i=Australia#Australia)

Australian Rides + Contact details (http://www.woj.com.au/2008/05/23/ride-of-silence-2008-cyclists-show-respect-in-national-silent-ride/) (mirror via WoJ)

On Fri, 23 May 2008 16:05:36 +1000, cfsmtb
<cfsmtb.39uo9c@no-mx.forums.cyclingforums.com> wrote:

>The rides start tomorrow, Saturday 24 May with nine rides in Adelaide,
>Bendigo, Bowral, Canberra, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Mount Isa, Sydney and
>Townsville.
>
>'Australian Media Release (PDF, 82kb)'
>(http://www.woj.com.au/AustralianRideOfSilence22May.08.pdf)
>
>'Australian Rides + Contact details' (http://tinyurl.com/272gpo)
>
>'Australian Rides + Contact details' (http://tinyurl.com/4osvyx)
>(mirror via WoJ)

Canberra went well.

Canberra went well.

As did Melbourne. Reports + pix soon. ;)

I'm helping to compile reports + images of the Australian Rides of Silence. Please free free to PM (if on cycling forums) or email infoATwoj.com.au

In all, there was eleven rides across Australia in Adelaide, Bendigo, Bowral, Canberra, Geelong, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Mount Isa, South West Rocks, Sydney and Townsville.

Additional reports, blogs, images, media coverage (including pdf scans) and feedback are most welcome.

Many thanks to all for creating such an inspirational national event. ;)

cfsmtb wrote:
> I'm helping to compile reports + images of the Australian Rides of
> Silence. Please free free to PM (if on cycling forums) or email
> infoATwoj.com.au
>
> In all, there was eleven rides across Australia in Adelaide, Bendigo,
> Bowral, Canberra, Geelong, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Mount Isa, South West
> Rocks, Sydney and Townsville.
>
> Additional reports, blogs, images, media coverage (including pdf scans)
> and feedback are most welcome.
>
> Many thanks to all for creating such an inspirational national event.
> ;)

Yet another media piece on the Canberra event here:

http://www.cyclesportnews.com/aus/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1289&Itemid=48

Patrick Keogh wrote:
>
> Patrick Turner wrote:

snip,

> > So there is always time to use the brakes.
> >
> >
> > Patrick Turner.
> I had two collisions with pedestrians on one ride a week ago. In each
> case I was completely stationary, and the pedestrian walked head on into
> my bike. There's no helping some people.

Some people are looking right at you but still don't see you.

Its a dangerous world.

I don't expect it to be perfect.

I have always taken calculated risks.

Between age 19 and 36, i did 130,000 miles on a
variety of motorcycles, with most miles on a BMW R75/5.

I fell off a few times, snapped a cruciate ligament and crushed an
ankle.

Nobody else was hurt.

I'm not just lucky to be here, I'm
DAMNED lucky.

Patrick Turner.

In aus.bicycle on Thu, 29 May 2008 10:23:02 GMT
Adrian Tritschler <ajft64+noos@bigpond.com> wrote:
> But that'd be why many many cyclists will *not* ring a bell or call out
> when they approach a pedestrian from behind, choosing instead to pass a

I do if they aren't already keeping well left or seem otherwise
preoccupied.

And if I have rung the bell, I say "thank you" when I go past. I have
had a "thanks for ringing the bell" back more than once.

(The startled reactions I get from saying thank you make me think it's
not a usual thing...)

The number of people behaving unpredictably once I've rung the bell is
very low. As in "can't recall the last time" low.

I do remember a bloke without a bell who saw two people on the path
and went to pass them on their right. But they were veering right to
take a side route. He called before they started moving but I've
found calling not useful as people don't think it means them.

On the whole peds seem no more or less silly than any other class of
people. Funny that.

Zebee

"Adrian Tritschler" <ajft64+noos@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:kgrk5hdflxs.fsf@fafnir.ajft.org...

<SNIPPED LOTS OF STUFF>
> Have had this happen quite a few times, ride up behind pedestrians and
> call out (loudly) *BIKE!* or "KEEP LEFT PLEASE". Due to pervesity, bad
> cases of get stuffed, or general perveseness they ignore you, or leap
> left, or leap right, then scream abuse telling you to get a bell.
> Obvious that they have heard, equally obvious that they don't give a
> damn or just want to be angry. AFAICT the various road laws state "An
> audible warning device such as a bell". My voice can be louder, more
> expressive and more controllable than any tink-tink bell and I'll be
> willing to argue that with any magistrate.
<SNIPPED MORE>
> Adrian

A bell can be more effective than a voice. In a park, or other public space
(where shared paths often go through), people's natural filters will often
filter out voices (there are many of them around). They will be more alert
to a bell, which is not a part of the continuous background noise of voices.

I've had this discussion a number of times with people on shared paths; I'm
in no hurry so I'll often stop for a chat. A tink-tink bell is a sound
people expect when a bike approaches, a voice is just a voice. Using a bell
is part of a socialised signal sytem; bell=bike. The bell is not there for
your convenience, it's there to help protect others by giving them a
recognisable warning. I don't understand why some riders are so precious
about putting a bell on their bikes and using it but will protest loudly
about the lack of concern other road users show for them when they are on
another shared path (a road).

I've seen many walkers jump in fright after a rider has come from behind,
yelling. No doubt most of us have seen the same. People don't hear shouts
and make the association. By the time the rider is close enough for people
to latch on to the idea that the shout is directed at them, the bike is too
close to stop safely and walkers react rather than respond.

Given human hearing sensitivity profiles, I think the bell's high frequency
is more likely to penetrate to the iPod wearers too. A high pitched 'tink'
is an interference to the music. A voice isn't (dunno if that holds for
noise-cancelling earphones though).

My 2c worth...

Frank

In aus.bicycle on Thu, 29 May 2008 22:58:31 GMT
Plodder <DACKSfrank.palermo@bigpond.com> wrote:
> I've had this discussion a number of times with people on shared paths; I'm
> in no hurry so I'll often stop for a chat. A tink-tink bell is a sound
> people expect when a bike approaches, a voice is just a voice. Using a bell
> is part of a socialised signal sytem; bell=bike. The bell is not there for
> your convenience, it's there to help protect others by giving them a
> recognisable warning. I don't understand why some riders are so precious

I tried the squeaky toy thing and ran into the same problem as yelling -
people just didn't realise what it meant or think it meant them.

A bell is simple and recognisable and people on a path who hear one
realise there's a bike that is near them and is warning them.

I have met bells that just have one or two 'tink' noises instead of a
ring and those aren't as effective. Was behind a rider with one of
those and the peds didn't react but did when they heard my proper
bell.

Zebee

On Thu, 29 May 2008 22:58:31 +0000, Plodder wrote:

>
> A bell can be more effective than a voice. In a park, or other public space
> (where shared paths often go through), people's natural filters will often
> filter out voices (there are many of them around). They will be more alert
> to a bell, which is not a part of the continuous background noise of voices.

Hmm, not aroud here. You can be ringing your bell from 100' back at 5kph
and they only hear you when you are within 10' behind. Perhaps we have
more birdlife that sound like bells and so they tune them out as well.

On Thu, 29 May 2008 22:58:31 GMT, "Plodder"
<DACKSfrank.palermo@bigpond.com> wrote:

>I've had this discussion a number of times with people on shared paths; I'm
>in no hurry so I'll often stop for a chat. A tink-tink bell is a sound
>people expect when a bike approaches, a voice is just a voice. Using a bell
>is part of a socialised signal sytem; bell=bike. The bell is not there for
>your convenience, it's there to help protect others by giving them a
>recognisable warning. I don't understand why some riders are so precious
>about putting a bell on their bikes and using it but will protest loudly

I used an Air Zound for a while, fun, but most pedestrians would
ignore it as "not a bike".

Sometimes I miss hit the bell, get more thunk than ting, and am
surprised when they still react.

It took me ages to find a bell that would fit my old race bike,
someone here put me onto the BBB O-ring bell, not the greatest bell
but it even fits around the spacers of my new 11k Madone and is easy
to remove for races. 7k, hah!

Its a big problem, with oversized bars as standard and funky frames
and seatposts its hard to find a bell that will fit anywhere on a
serious adult bike.