Bicyclists Pedal For Highway Safety In Annual Ride

RALEIGH, N.C. — In North Carolina, roughly 30 people are killed and more than 100 injured in bicycle-related accidents each year. For avid bike riders, the numbers are sobering and scary.

By state estimates, bicycle accidents happen around 1,000 times a year in North Carolina. Bicyclist Drew Cummings is among the stats. He still bears the scars from an accident last year.

"Took the mirror off with my leg," said Cummings. "That opened my leg up pretty good and my ankles pretty good."

Cummings said he's now a little gun-shy when he rides. The same is true for Brian Carver. A few years ago, it was he who needed fixing up and not his bike. He suffered several broken ribs and a collapsed lung when a car hit him.

"It was a pretty dramatic accident," said Carver. "The lady who hit me went into shock because she didn't see me."

That's why the riders decided to mount up for the Ride of Silence. They want drivers to see them and be more aware of bicyclists on the roadways.

By law, bicyclists must ride with traffic. So, they depend on motorists to drive defensively and share the road.

The riders also remembered victims of bicycle accidents by wearing black armbands for people who died. Survivors, like Cummings, wore red ones.

"Some of us are commuting, just like people in cars," said Cummings. "Some of us are having fun, just like people in cars who are going to watch a movie or have fun. So, I think the roads are meant for everybody."

The Ride of Silence took place in conjunction with Bike Safety Month. More than 190 similar rides are scheduled worldwide to pay tribute to victims of bicycle accidents.