A slow and quiet procession in observance of cyclists injured and killed on public roadways is planned for Wednesday night in Bloomington-Normal.
The McLean County Ride of Silence is among nearly 150 worldwide locations marking the 23rd annual ceremonial event, including Peoria and six other sites in Illinois.
The 10-mile local ride sponsored by the McLean County Wheelers starts at 6:40 p.m. on the Main Street steps of the McLean County Museum of History in downtown Bloomington.
Following a brief program, the bike ride then will proceed with a police escort north on Main Street to Uptown Normal. The event is free and open to everyone.
According to Illinois Department of Transportation data provided by the McLean County Wheelers, the state totaled nearly 3,000 crashes involving bicycles in 2023, with 41 resulting in fatalities. Across the U.S., nearly 1,000 bicyclists were killed and 130,000 injured on the roadways that year.
There were 41 bicycle crashes in McLean County in 2023. Statistics for 2024 are not yet available.
McLean County Wheelers identifies itself as a club of more than 200 cycling enthusiasts promoting the activity for fun and fitness. The club says more than 70 cyclists participated in last year’s Ride of Silence.
