'Ride for Silence' raises awareness of cyclists

Research Triangle Park, N.C. — Bicycle riders took part in the worldwide Ride of Silence on Wednesday to memorialize bicyclists killed on the road.

The cyclists took off at 7 p.m. and pedaled slowly around the Research Triangle Park. The event requires cyclists to stay under 12 mph and to keep quiet.

Cyclist Matt Damron said he wanted to remind drivers to share the road with cyclists after he was in an accident.

"(I) broke both ... my leg bones, two fractures in my wrist here, stitches in my face," Damron said. "Fortunately, no head injuries to speak of."

On April 23, a suspected drunk driver, Brian Anthony Reid, 21, hit Nancy Antoine Leidy, 60, while she was riding a bike near the intersection of Nazareth Street and Crusader Drive in Raleigh. Leidy died later that day.

Ride of Silence organizers said they want to raise awareness of cyclists' legal rights on the road.

Local versions of the event took place in 285 communities in 17 countries.