Bicyclists ride to promote safety, awareness

A group of San Diego bicycle riders is taking to the streets at seven o'clock
Wednesday evening. But it's not a joy ride. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce reports.

It won't be the typical bike ride around San Diego. Wearing black armbands, a group of at least 60 bicyclists will pedal slowly and silently, riding single file, through Old Town and Downtown San Diego. Their goal - to promote safety and awareness of bicyclists.

Frank Paiano is a bike commuter and organizer of the San Diego ride. He says the first Ride of Silence was two years ago in Dallas to honor an endurance cyclist killed by a passing bus:

Paiano: We need people to realize we have a right to the road. With gas at the current levels there's going to be more bicyclists, I've already seen as a bicyclist and a motorist, I've already seen more cyclists out on the roads.
The San Diego ride starts at the intersection of India and Washington streets. Ed Joyce, KPBS News.