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Cyclists pedal in 'ride of silence'

Posted at 12:08 AM, May 26, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-26 00:08:48-04

Dozens of bicyclists pedaled through Downtown Delray Beach in a ride of silence to honor those riders who can no longer share the road.

Wheels lined up at the Old School Square Downtown. Cyclists rode in silence to pay respect to riders killed in crashes.

"It's our way of showing respect to the families who lost a loved one and say you’re still remembered. We all remember you," said Patrick Halliday, President of the Delray Beach Bike Club.

Aleta Wright couldn't ride. She's still recovering from injuries she suffered when she was hit by a car a few months ago in Portland.

"I slid down the side of it. Ii flipped off the trunk, I flew through the air and landed in the middle of the intersection and at that time I thought I was dead," said Wright who thought about her daughter at the time of the accident.

She and her teenage daughter had just finished a cross country ride from Minneapolis to Florida and were back home.

"For the driver’s out there wake up. Put your phone down, drive responsibly, respectfully," said Wright.

That's what the 8 mile ride of silence in Downtown Delray was all about. Florida as the highest per capita fatality rates for bicyclists according to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration.

Eileen Glickman of Boynton Beach says she was hit off A1A about a year and a half ago.

"She didn’t even see me. She made a left turn into me. I flew over her car. I  broke ribs and was a mess for months," said Glickman.

Bicyclists say they are trying to live a healthy and environmentally friendly lifestyle. They want to share the road.

The ride is also meant to educate bicyclists on how to make riding safer. They are told to be mindful of drivers, wear bright clothing and follow the bike laws.