According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, nearly 1,000 bicyclists die and more than 130,000 are injured in crashes that occur on roads in the United States every year.
In Jackson County, Seymour Mayor Matt Nicholson has been in two bicycle accidents where he was struck by an automobile.
“If we are in an accident, we are usually the first thing that gets hit, and the presence of the hearse during the procession shows the important of bicycle safety,” Nicholson said. “Even a few miles make all the difference.”
Nicholson started the Ride of Silence event in Jackson County after the untimely and tragic passing of Todd Schurman and Zach Grubb in the spring of 2010 when the two were hit by a vehicle as they were riding double on a bike down U.S. 31 in the early morning hours just south of Seymour city limits. They were both 17 at the time.
Nicholson heard of the Ride of Silence event taking place in Texas shortly after the boys’ passing and wanted to bring awareness to bicycle safety. The first Ride of Silence event in Jackson County was in 2011.
Nicholson owned B2 Bikes and Boards before becoming mayor and then handed the event planning off to Vicki Otto and her husband, Steve.
“We have several here in Seymour that have been in an accident, so this event honors those riders that were hurt or killed in an automobile accident,” she said. “Also, this brings awareness to the motorists, letting them know that we are out here and watch for us.”
Otto said a member of the Jackson County Bicycle Club was seriously injured a few years back, and when she asked her husband how long ago that accident was, he responded with “Which one?”
Otto said the first Ride of Silence started in 2003 in Dallas, Texas, after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was hit by the mirror of a passing bus and was killed.
“I find it ironic because my husband was hit with a mirror of a bus when he was a kid,” she said.
The nationwide event has been around for 21 years, and at 7 p.m. May 17, the Ride of Silence united the globe.
Cyclists took to the roads in a silent procession led by a hearse to honor and represent those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways.
“I’m sure they’re wondering, ‘What’s going on? Is it a funeral?’” Otto said. “Let them wonder. Maybe they’ll remember and think about it the next time they are passing a bicyclist. Maybe they’ll allow a little extra room or maybe they will decide to be patient and just travel behind for a few minutes. Maybe they’ll change their minds about turning in front of a bicyclist.”
Otto said a precaution cyclists can take is to be more aware of the surroundings.
“It’s kind of like driving a car. You’ve got to watch and see if that person is going to come through or stop and give me the right of way,” she said.
Nicholson said the conversations after the event are where he really sees the awareness beginning to spread.
“After a week or two of the events, I’ll have people say that they saw me at the procession and ask me what happened,” he said. “That gives me the opportunity to educate them and spread awareness of bicycle safety. It does remind people that they need to watch out for fellow man if nothing else.”
Buddy Fletcher with Burkholder Funeral Chapel led the procession in a white hearse through the city as Seymour police officers and firefighters directed the cyclists across busy streets.
Even though the number of participating riders has dwindled to less than 10, the impact of the event has never changed.