Please join members of ClevelandBikes, friends and colleague with The Cleveland Orchestra on a silent ride in memory of Orchestra member Charles Barr, killed in a cycling accident on August 11th.  The ride is scheduled for Sunday October 22nd at 2:00 pm.

A silent ride is a low-speed group ride in memory of cyclists injured or killed while riding. The ride is intended to create opportunities for communities to spend their time and thoughts in a shared activity, winding through University Circle and past Severance Hall, the home of The Cleveland Orchestra. The ride (excluding the registration and safe riding instructions) will take approximately 30 minutes. Unfortunately, unaccompanied minors, or those under age thirteen, will not be able to participate in the ride. The ride proceeds regardless of weather.

To encourage participation, sponsors will provide bicycles for those wishing to participate although they may not have a bicycle, as well as “safe cycling” instruction from volunteer cycling instructors, licensed by the League of American Bicyclists. Bicycle lending is made available by the Ohio City Bicycle Co-Op, offering free safety instruction and earn-a-bike programs for young Cleveland residents. The supply of loaned bikes is limited, so those wishing to borrow bicycles should contact the Ohio City Bicycle Co-Op (216.830.2667) or visit the Co-Op in advance of the ride. Those wishing to borrow a bicycle must bring a driver's license or other form of photo identification.

Where: Gathering and leaving from St. Anne's Church (Coventry and Cedar Road)

When: Registration, bike lending and safe instruction begins at 1:30 pm, with the ride beginning to travel to University Circle at 2:00 pm. Participants must wear a helmet.

A national ride is scheduled annually in May, for all riders killed or injured in cycling accidents nation-wide. Given the high level of attention generated by Mr. Barr's death, the riding community considered it appropriate to help Mr. Barr's friends, Orchestra colleagues and the rest of the community acknowledge the loss, while stressing the importance of cycling safety and the need for motor vehicles and cyclists to share the roads and streets safely.

ClevelandBikes, formed in 2003, is committed to cycling safety, education and advocacy. The 501(c)3 nonprofit organization seeks to advance and promote all forms of bicycling as economical and healthful recreation, sport and transportation; and advance and defend the rights of Northeastern Ohio cyclists to use the roads and to fair trail access.

for further information, contact:

ClevelandBikes

www.clevelandbikes.org

Info [at] clevelandbikes [dot] org or 216.374.7578