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The Ride of Silence is a yearly international bicycle ride to commemorate cyclists killed or injured while riding on public roads. It helps to raise awareness among motorists of the dangers they pose to cyclists.
The first Ride of Silence was organized by Chris Phelan and held in Dallas, Texas in 2003. Many participants found the experience to be very moving. Although it was conceived as a one-time event, it has been repeated every year since then. Cyclists in cities around the globe have joined this movement. It has grown each year, 2004 through 2012, with 50, 120, 223, 272, 296, 283, 316, 321 and 319 cities participating.
In 2013, the tenth anniversary, there were 372 confirmed locations worldwide for the Ride of Silence on May 15, in 26 countries, on all 7 continents, including Antarctica.
The Ride of Silence is held on the 3rd Wednesday in May. The League of American Bicyclists promotes this event side-by-side with the national Bike Month and Bike-to-Work Day, held on the 3rd Friday in May.