Cyclists remembered at memorial ride

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A memorial bicycle ride will honor the recent loss of cyclist Andrew Runciman and other cyclists killed while riding through the Austin area.

About 100 cyclists started on the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge around 6:30 p.m. They rode together in silence, going no faster than 12 mph, winding down Congress Avenue and then back to the pedestrian bridge.

“I'm riding in memory of Andrew Runciman, who was hit very recently and killed,” said Sara Harless, who was close friends with Ruciman. “I really hope to carry his spirit with me when I'm riding. We rode together all the time, so hopefully I can channel that.”

“It's really hard to have this missing," said Rick Ford, also a close friend and co-worker. “For the last few weeks that's all I can think about anyway. It's pretty hard. There's someone sitting in his desk now, which is really strange for me. You walk by and it's not the same person.”

It's called "Ride of Silence," and it happens every year on the third Wednesday in May, which is also National Bike Month. It was started in 2003 in Dallas after a cyclist there was hit by a mirror of a passing bus. It has now spread across the globe, and many other cities, including Austin, now participate in the ride.

“Be kind, be aware of cyclists. Be on the lookout for cyclists out there. And cyclists do the right thing on the road. It takes both of us to be able to co-exist and live in harmony and share the road,” said Alvaro Bastidas, founder of 'Be Kind to Cyclists.'"

The ride comes during Bike to Work Week and just a few days before Bike to Work Day here in Austin.

A new smartphone application has also been launched to help better map bicycling routes and make Austin a safer city for cyclists.

The Texas Transportation Institute started Cycle Tracks , and put Austin as a pilot city. it's a free application which allows the City to obtain information such as bicycle routes, distance and speed, that other cyclists are recording. 

"That can be used to help planners and decision makers in the area decide on routes. What are good routes? What is being used, what isn't being used?" said Joan Hudson, associate research engineer, Texas Transportation Institute.

The City of Austin has also made recent improvements to the city's bicycle map system. It hasn't been updated in 3 years. Now, it includes about 52 miles of additional bike routes and nearly doubled in the connectivity coverage area.

This edition has user-friendly enhancements to provide way-finding for all levels of bicyclists. Roadways are color-coded into high, medium, and low comfort categories, street grades are coded as mild, medium, and steep, and separated paths are clearly marked. Another key feature is a safe riding guide that explains common traffic maneuvers, signaling, and basic traffic law.

“Bicycling in Austin is increasing, and this map is a key tool the City has to educate new and existing riders on the importance of roadway etiquette and safe bicycling habits,” says Annick Beaudet, Manager of the City’s Bicycle Program.

Bicycle maps will be readily available at all bike month events or can be obtained from the Neighborhood Connectivity Division of the Public Works Department, on the 7th floor of the One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road.

Maps are also sold for $2 at most local bicycle shops. It is also available as a download by clicking here .