Next week, the island of Sanibel will once again host a meaningful and powerful tradition — the Ride of Silence, an annual event that honors cyclists who have been injured or lost their lives on the road. Scheduled for Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m., the ride will begin and end at Sanibel Community Park, located at 2231 Periwinkle Way.
Organized by the Sanibel Bicycle Club and Billy’s Bikes, this year’s ride continues a local tradition that began in 2008 and aligns with a global movement held every third Wednesday in May. Participants will follow a four-mile route along Sanibel’s Shared Use Path, riding in complete silence as a tribute to the lives lost and as a call for safer roads for all.
A Tribute and a Call for Awareness
“Florida now leads the country in bicycling fatalities, with nearly 500 last year,” said Sanibel Bicycle Club President Jim Meyer. “We hope that this awareness program will help slow that fatality rate. This is both for the motorists and the cyclists.”
The event is modeled after the very first Ride of Silence, which took place in 2003 in Dallas, Texas, following the tragic death of cyclist Larry Schwartz. Since then, it has grown into a global effort to promote awareness and encourage a culture of shared responsibility between cyclists and motorists.
Event Details
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When: Tuesday, May 21, 7:00 p.m. (arrive by 6:30 p.m.)
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Where: Sanibel Community Park, 2231 Periwinkle Way
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Route: Periwinkle Way → Casa Ybel Road → West Gulf Drive → Tarpon Bay Road → return to the park
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Distance: Approximately 4 miles
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Pace: Slow and respectful
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Cost: Free and open to the public
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Requirements: All participants must wear a helmet. No headsets, please.
Families and individuals of all ages are welcome. “It’s a short, slow, and very simple ride,” Meyer noted. “We welcome the public — including children — to participate. It’s a tribute to the cycling community we’ve lost.”
Additional Support and Resources
The Sanibel Police Department will be assisting with traffic control to ensure the safety of riders. Billy’s Bikes will provide water, a limited number of safety vests, and a few spare helmets for those who need them. Informational materials about the Sanibel Bicycle Club and membership opportunities will also be available at the event.
“We’re trying to improve the cycling, motorist, and pedestrian environment on Sanibel,” Meyer emphasized. “This event helps us move in that direction.”
For more information, visit www.sanibelbicycleclub.org or contact:
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Jim Meyer at 314-406-0904
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Kevin Connerty at 239-887-2369
If You Go
What:
Annual Ride of Silence
When:
May 21 at 7:00 p.m. (arrive by 6:30 p.m.)
Where:
Sanibel Community Park
2231 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
Details:
Free and open to the public; helmet required
