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Atlanta cyclists will gather near Piedmont Park on Wednesday evening to remember fellow bike riders killed or injured by motorists on public roadways.

Details from the Atlanta Ride of Silence Facebook page:

Join cyclists worldwide in a silent slow-paced ride (max. 12 mph/20 kph) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways.

For Atlanta riders, meet at Charles Allen & 10th at 6:45pm. Please wear a black armband to honor those who have fallen, we’ll have some on hand as well. We will have a sign-up sheet you can sign to indicate if you’re riding in memory of someone in particular. A few words will be said, then our ride will leave promptly at 7pm.

To sign up as a confirmed guest, visit the Atlanta Ride of Silence Facebook page. For more information about the worldwide event, visit the official Ride of Silence website. If you’re interested in spreading the word about Wednesday’s event, check out the organization’s blog and resources page. Both have templates for posting information on sites like Craig’s List, logos you can download and other organizing materials.

(H/T to Maigh; Logo courtesy of Ride of Silence)

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The Atlanta Critical Mass ride last month received a lot of attention because city police shadowed the slow-rolling gathering and ticketed cyclists out of the blue. That sucks, yes, but turn your eyes for the moment toward New York City, where police and Massers have never really had a peaceful go of things.

A video recorded during Friday’s Critical Mass in the city shows cycle-riding revelers pedaling through Times Square. Fun and games until a police officer pushes you off a bicycle for no reason.

According to Gawker, who gets the thanks for the video:

City Room reports that the unidentified officer was puts on “modified assignment” while they investigate; the AP says they also took away his badge and gun for now. (He should be fired.) Meanwhile, Gothamist reports that the cyclist was arrested and held in jail while being charged with assault.

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After the last Critical Mass ride in which Atlanta cops cracked down on the cyclists for traveling in a pack and disrupting traffic, velocipede enthusiasts will hold a Courteous Mass tonight at 6:30 p.m. Participants are urged to meet at Woodruff Park like before around 6 p.m.

During Courteous Mass, participating cyclists are expected to follow all rules of the road and stop at traffic lights.

From local blogger and rocket scientist Shelbinator, whose video of the police presence generated more than 123,000 views on CNN’s iReport, come the details:

Courteous Mass Bicycle Ride
Friday, July 11
Meet @ 6:00 PM
Woodruff Park
Leave @ 6:30 PM

This ride is different from Critical Mass in that it will follow a planned route and follow state traffic laws. It is intended to demonstrate support for better bike facilities and safer traffic conditions. It is also a great opportunity for less-experienced cyclists to try riding on the streets, as well as being a fun social event. We urge everyone who believes in a balanced transportation policy to join us.

Courteous Mass Tips:

• Ride no more than two abreast on 4-5 lane roads, taking up only the right lane.
• Ride single file on 2-3 lane roads so as not to interfere with traffic flow.
• Please allow faster cyclists ahead of you so they are not stuck behind slower cyclists during single-file stretches.
• Do not pass stopped cars on the right (unless there is a bike lane).
• And as always, be courteous!

There ya go. Be civil, be safe and remember: Roads are made for all people to access destinations — not just people in cars.

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The monthly Critical Mass bike ride takes place this Friday. Starting around 6 p.m., cyclists will gather at Woodruff Park in downtown and pedal where their urges take them. Commenters on the ride’s message board — it doesn’t have any real political or power structure — are requesting the pack makes its way through East Atlanta. For more information or to ask questions of the group, click here to visit its message board.

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It’s like a dog park, only with bikes. Atlanta Bicycle Campaign and Central Atlanta Progress’ Downtown TMA are hosting a roundup for cyclists at Woodruff Park tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. If it’s raining, meet up next Wednesday.

From the Downtown Connector:

BikeFest presented by the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign (ABC) and the Downtown Transportation Management Association (TMA): A three-hour outdoor event held in Downtown’s Woodruff Park. Meet cyclists, visit bicycle experts and win prizes. BikeFest is an event for everyone; cyclists and non-cyclists can learn more about biking and the benefits it provides and enjoy the opportunity to meet and mingle with fellow bikers.

When: Wednesday, May 14, 2008, rain date: Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Time: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: Woodruff Park in Downtown Atlanta
Cost:FREE

In addition, ABC and the Downtown TMA will have raffle prizes including:

* A one night stay at the Ellis Hotel
* $50 Dailey’s/City Grill gift certificate
* $50 French American Brasserie (FAB) gift certificate
* $50 Maxim Prime gift certificate

To qualify you must come by the event and all winners will be announced and emailed the following day. Additional giveaways will also be on-site along with a free smoothie sample from the SoPo bike blender for patrons that bring their bike or bike helmet.

Participating Vendors include: Atlanta Police Department, City of Atlanta (Connect Atlanta Plan), Clean Air Campaign, Free Flite, Georgia Department of Transportation, Georgia State University, Bicycle attorney Ken Rosskopf, No Brakes, REI, SoPo Bike Cooperative, and more.

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