The Bellevue Bicycle Club (BBC) will observe the International Ride of Silence on May 20th at 7:00 pm. This year marks the 24th Anniversary of this event, which is designed to honor the memories of those killed in car bike accidents or injured. It is to raise awareness of the safety needs of Cyclists while riding on roads. Last year in Nebraska, there were two cyclists killed in bike/motor vehicle accidents. Motorists and cyclists need to be aware of their surroundings and the laws relating to cyclists to avoid accidents.
This year’s Omaha metro area Ride of Silence will be held on May 20th, leaving at 7 PM from the Twin Creek Trailhead Parking lot, 3602 Raynor Parkway, Bellevue, NE. We will have a police escort for the riders safety.
There will be a brief program prior to the ride. Items covered include:
- Ride Purpose: Mike McGee, BBC President, covering the purpose of the ride, followed by a solemn poem read by a BBC member.
- Event Proclamation: Rusty Hike, Mayor of Bellevue, reading the proclamation for this event.
- Family Survivor Story: A long-time member and past president who survived a serious accident this past year will briefly discuss his experience.
- Ride Guidelines: Riders will then receive safety guidelines for the ride.
The Route is about 14 miles long. Cyclists will ride from the trailhead parking lot west on Raynor Pkwy to 48th Street. Turning South on 48 to Hwy 370, to Fort Crook Road. Riding North on Fort Crook Road to Chandler Road and turn around heading back to HWY 370 to 36 street and back to Twin Creek Trailhead Parking. The ride will be escorted by the Bellevue Police Department Motorcycle Patrol.
We welcome all riders from the Omaha region and surrounding for the ride. We ask that all non-club members that join for the ride, as it is open to all, to visit our website and the event to sign a brief release. Minors need to be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. It is expected that all riders be able to maintain a 10-15 mile per hour speed. This, like other BBC rides, will be a No-Drop ride; a BBC member will lead the ride and there will always be a BBC member throughout the group of riders and at the rear to aid if needed.
For detailed information, registration, and link to a map can be found on the BBC website at: https://www.bellbikeclub.org/ROS2026.
About the Ride of Silence
This is the 24th year of the International “Ride of Silence.” The ride will traverse and unite the globe as nothing before it. Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn’t aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves.
In 2003, Chris Phelan organized the first Ride of Silence in Dallas after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was hit by the mirror of a passing bus and was killed.
The Ride of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph, wear helmets, follow the rules of the road and remain silent during the ride. There are no registration fees. The ride, which is held on the Third Wednesday of May, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police, and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show respect for and honor the lives of those who have been killed or injured.
About the Bellevue Bicycle Club
Founded in 2003, the Bellevue Bicycle Club’s mission is the encouragement and support of cycling in all its forms. We sponsor cycling activities of our own, provide interested parties with tours of local trails, offer instruction in bicycle maintenance and safety, and provide members an opportunity to share their experiences and come together in fun social activities. Our members participate in many multi-day rides in the Omaha area and around the country.
We promote cycling as transportation with Bike to Work Day support and advocate the safest cycling practices. With the support of local bike shops, funds in the past have gone to the Omaha Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, and Heartland Family Services, Make-A-Wish Nebraska, Sarpy County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), and Team RWB among others.
We welcome riders of all ages and encourage bicycling as a family activity. Our weekly Saturday Morning Coffee ride or the Monthly Sunday afternoon Ride are great ways for us to meet you and introduce you to our rapidly growing ranks. We meet at the Twin Creek trailhead behind Culver’s in Bellevue (3602 Raynor Pkwy) and ride at an easy pace. We stop for breakfast along the way and finish the ride home. The start times change with the seasons and are updated on our website https://BellBikeClub.org and calendar.
Our meetings are monthly, usually on the first Monday at 6:30 PM at the Sump Memorial Library in Papillion. Check the calendar to verify the location. Our meetings are open, and we welcome visitors. Attending a meeting is another excellent way for you to get acquainted with our group and our activities.
