Springfield’s ride of silence for bicyclist killed in crash

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — After the recent death of Evangel professor Renee Griffith Grantham in a bicycling accident, some in the community are remembering those killed in the same manner.

The Ride of Silence is a nationwide effort to remember those cyclists who were killed while riding.

Bike riders in Springfield followed a 12-mile loop that passes by multiple places where bicyclists have been killed.

“We are vulnerable on the road and and also to try to show to motorists that we are a part of the traffic on the road,” said David Hutchison who organized the Springfield ride. “That we are out there, and to look at what happened where a bicyclist had been killed.”

David Hutchison has been participating in this bike ride for 15 years. The Ride of Silence is a nationwide event that happens every year on the third Wednesday in May.

This ride is a way to bring awareness to the vulnerability of bicyclists on the roads.

Riders today all came equipped with lights, wearing bright colors, and helmets Hutchison says being seen on a bike is important in order stay safe.

Hutchison hopes that by participating in rides like this there can be a greater mutual respect between bike riders and drivers.

“The bicyclist should act just like a motorist,” Hutchison said. “Respectful to the right, but using the lane just like a motorist would use it.”

Hutchison plans to organize the ride again next year to remember the bike riders who died while riding.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.