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Watch now: Fallen, injured cyclists honored with ‘Ride of Silence’ in Bloomington-Normal | Local News

BLOOMINGTON — It was a beautiful evening for a bike ride.

For dozens of cyclists who rode from downtown Bloomington to Normal on Wednesday, the reason for the outing was a somber one. The 20th annual Ride of Silence, which took place in cities across the country, was meant to remember fallen and injured cyclists, and to raise awareness of safety issues.

“I’ve been hit myself,” said Steve Letsky, vice president of the McLean County Wheelers. “I’ve known so many people who have gotten struck while on their bicycles, on our city streets, whether I lived in California or Illinois. This is a reality.”

Letsky, who works as a bicycle policy engineer for the Illinois Department of Transportation, said four people on bicycles have been killed in the state so far this year.



Cyclists participate in the Ride of Silence in downtown Bloomington on Wednesday evening.


ALLISON PETTY, THE PANTAGRAPH

Last year, there were 34 cyclist fatalities; the year before that, 28, Letsky said.

“We know that one fatality is one too many,” Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe said, addressing the cyclists at the McLean County Museum of History before the ride began.

Reducing traffic accidents involving cyclists is a goal of several local transportation plans, he said. Among upcoming projects is the long-awaited extension of Hamilton Road between Bunn Street and Commerce Parkway, which the mayor said would get in motion this fall.

The project to close the gap in the four-lane, east-west arterial route on the city’s south end, has been underway since the 1990s. It has been delayed multiple times because of a lack of funding and the complexities and costs associated with crossing an active railroad line.

The project, “upon completion, will provide many more safe and convenient options for bicyclists, transit users but also motorists to be able to ride in a way that is safe for everyone,” Mwilambwe said.

He also noted that the McLean County Regional Planning Commission is seeking feedback for use in developing the BN Metropolitan Long-Range Transportation Plan 2050.

The commission’s survey is available at mcplan.org.

Look back: Ride of Silence 2015

052115-blm-loc-9ride

052115-blm-loc-9ride

Bicyclists ride down Main Street during the Ride of Silence, Wednesday, in downtown Bloomington.


DAVID PROEBER, The Pantagraph

Ride of silence

Ride of silence

More than 100 bicycle riders stop for a moment of silence before the start of the Ride of Silence on Wednesday in front of the McLean County Museum of History. Sponsored by the McLean County Wheelers and Bike BloNo, the ride is held to remember bicyclists killed last year and a means to bring the need for motorists to share the road with the two-wheelers. Police from Bloomington and Normal shared the escort mission on their ride to Uptown Circle.


DAVID PROEBER, The Pantagraph

052115-blm-loc-2ride

052115-blm-loc-2ride

Mandie Esposito of Bloomington, left, and her daughter, Lauren, 10, bundle up for the 45-degree weather that chilled bikers in the ride across the Twin Cities.


DAVID PROEBER, The Pantagraph

052115-blm-loc-7ride

052115-blm-loc-7ride

Bloomington and Normal police provided escorts during the Ride of Silence, Wednesday, across the twin cities.


DAVID PROEBER, The Pantagraph

052115-blm-loc-10ride

052115-blm-loc-10ride

Bicyclists ride down Main Street during the Ride of Silence, Wednesday, in downtown Bloomington.


DAVID PROEBER, The Pantagraph

052115-blm-loc-8ride

052115-blm-loc-8ride

Bicyclists began the Ride of Silence, Wednesday, across the twin cities.


DAVID PROEBER, The Pantagraph

052115-blm-loc-4ride

052115-blm-loc-4ride

More than 100 riders participate in the McLean County Wheelers and Bike BloNo Ride of Silence on Wednesday.


DAVID PROEBER, The Pantagraph

052115-blm-loc-3ride

052115-blm-loc-3ride

Bikers take off from the start during the Ride of Silence on Wednesday at the McLean County Museum of History. They finished the ride at Uptown Circle.


DAVID PROEBER, The Pantagraph

052115-blm-loc-5ride

052115-blm-loc-5ride

Bicyclists ride down Main Street during the Ride of Silence, Wednesday, in downtown Bloomington.


DAVID PROEBER, The Pantagraph

052115-blm-loc-6ride

052115-blm-loc-6ride

Bicyclists ride down Main Street during the Ride of Silence, Wednesday, in downtown Bloomington.


DAVID PROEBER, The Pantagraph

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