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Cyclists honor riders killed in Pennsylvania last year with "Ride of Silence" in Harrisburg

Twenty-seven bicyclists were killed on Pennsylvania roads in 2023, according to organizers of the event.

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Cyclists in Harrisburg rode to the Capitol building in silence Wednesday to honor the 27 people killed on Pennsylvania roads while riding their bikes last year.

Riders took part in the "Ride of Silence" to the Capitol steps, which sported 27 white bicycles to commemorate the 27 people who died, as well as a red bike to honor those who have been injured on the road.

"It hit me emotionally because I love cycling," said participant Marie Roof. "Several of my friends had been injured, including myself, by vehicles who have struck us or maybe didn't obey all the rules of the road."

The cyclists commemorated those who lost their lives by placing roses on the white bicycles on the Capitol steps, in a way to remember them as well as to send a message to both cyclists and drivers alike to be mindful of their surroundings.

"Number one, we need our folks that are on bicycles to pay attention to the laws of the road and to stop when they're supposed to stop," said Jenifer Donnelly of Recycle Bike Harrisburg. "Number two, we need the drivers to pay attention to the laws of the road and to give bicyclists four feet when they pass and to make sure that they're looking all around for bicyclists."

The message was also for those inside the Capitol to advocate for more road safety geared toward keeping bicyclists alive. 

But the main focus was on the riders who weren’t there, and making sure that the 27 people who lost their lives doing what they loved didn’t do so in vain.

"What it means to me is keeping people safe," Roof said. "Recognizing those people who weren't as fortunate, who had accidents, but an example for us moving forward."

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