A group of cyclists, advocating for safer road conditions and infrastructure, took a Ride of Silence in the Park Hill July 4th Parade to promote awareness of the 134 cyclists and pedestrians who were killed on Colorado roads in 2024.

Lifelong cyclist Bob Shaver wants to raise awareness of cycling and pedestrian road deaths.

In 2024 there were 134 pedestrian and cyclist deaths in Colorado, and Park Hill resident Bob Shaver has had enough.

Shaver is a lifelong cyclist and after seeing a rider get hit and seriously injured by a driver under the influence a few years ago, he decided he needed to do something to raise awareness of cycling road deaths. Shaver worked to organize the first ever Ride of Silence as part of Park Hill’s 4th of July parade: A group of cyclists rode silently to honor the people who have died, and to push for safer streets for all people using them.

“We are a little frustrated that we see so many people who are either drunk or stoned hit somebody,” Shaver said. “The big picture is to change the laws. We do not have the deep pockets that lobbyists do, that the providers of substances that benefit from getting people in their cars…there’s no accountability and they walk free too.”

The co-organizer of the event, Guy Pasquino, hoped that getting people involved through the parade would help further initiatives such as Vision Zero, a program through the City and County of Denver, working toward having zero traffic fatalities or bodily injury. “We just want to make sure that everyone gets home and everyone gets to enjoy this great state,” said Pasquino.

Shaver and Pasquino were joined by other local cyclists who are passionate about road safety, many of whom have their own stories about loved ones getting injured or killed by cars when they were biking.

As a year-round cyclist on her pedal assist bike, Nicole McSpirit has a strong sense of where she feels safe riding in the city and the infrastructure that helps her get around. McSpirit spent her childhood in New Orleans biking almost everywhere, but as an adult she is more cautious about biking around Denver. After seeing bike safety measures on a trip to Amsterdam, McSpirit knows that the city can be made safer for all people using the roads. “We’d love to see more protective infrastructure, especially on 17th Ave. Parkway,” said McSpirit. “We have crash, after crash, after crash there, especially because it’s over-built.” She wants to see dangerous pinch points removed and the addition of speed cushions to many of the busy roads across Denver.

Before taking off on the Ride of Silence, McSpirit emphasized the importance of motorists practicing awareness and caution when sharing the roads with cyclists. “The freedom of driving a car everywhere comes at a hefty price to others,”she said.

Another rider, Bill Vanderlan, is very worried about how distracted driving can influence cyclists sharing the road. “These are even more difficult times now in terms of distracted driving and running lights and stop signs, so it’s a good way to join in solidarity with people who have even more devastating stories,” said Vanderlan.

The first Ride of Silence took place at the Park Hill July 4th Parade to highlight the dangers cyclists and pedestrians face on Colorado roads.

Pasquino added, the 4th of July is always a day of celebration for family and friends  and the “contrast of the 134 who aren’t going to make it this year really sticks out.” The timing of the ride was used as a reminder for people who were going to parties and events to be “fully present, behind the wheel, on their scooters, riding their bikes, or just walking home.”

This Ride of Silence came on the 40th anniversary of the 1985 film American Flyers, a drama starring Kevin Costner about bicycle racing. There will be two showings of the movie in Grand Junction and Denver in September, with all ticket sales going to support a variety of organizations promoting bike safety, including Bicycle Colorado. The movie was partly filmed in Colorado, and Pasquino hopes that the anniversary acts as a catalyst for more road safety precautions across the state. Tickets and info at www.bicyclecolorado.org.

Front Porch photos by Christie Gosch