AS THE mist lifted at Regatta

Point yesterday, more than 200

cyclists silently took to the road

to remember those killed and

injured and to raise awareness

and respect for cyclists as road

users.

It was a mix of fluoro vests,

racing jerseys and cargo

shorts, with all the tribes of

cycling showing support from

professional racers to those

who enjoy the odd Sunday ride.

Most sported red or black

armbands in remembrance of

fellow riders injured or killed

as the bunch rolled slowly and

without speaking.

Event coordinator and local

cyclist Simon Dwyer, of Melba,

said organisers had been

pleased with the turnout, given

that the ride had been

organised in three weeks. ''The

real message we want to

promote is that the road is

there for everyone to use and

we all have to take

responsibility on it and have a

bit of patience with each

other,'' he said.

''If we all have the right attitude

then the road is something that

can be safe and work smoothly

for all of us.''

Between 1991 and 2005, 665

cyclists were killed on Australian

roads. Thirteen have

been killed in the ACT since

1989.

James Macintyre and six-

year-old Adele Giroult-

Macintyre, of Deakin, were two

Canberrans taking part in the

ride, which Mr Macintyre said

was all about fostering respect.

''I think that bike riding will be

one of the ways of getting over

problems with fuel ... so I think

people need to be a bit more

mindful of bike riders, and conversely,

bike riders need to

respect the law.''

Julianne Quaine, of Turner,

and Sandy Waters, of Florey,

agreed.

''I am here to raise awareness

for road safety for both cyclists

and other road users,'' Ms

Quaine said.

Ms Waters, a member of cycling

club Females in Training,

said the group had been

''hassled quite frequently by car

users on the road''.

''I know there are some

cyclists that give cyclists a bad

name, but there is no perfect car

driver, either.''

Members of the ACT Liberal

Party, Rod Katz, from the Amy

Gillett Foundation, and former

V8 Supercar driver Dale Brede

all spoke at the ride.

Yesterday was the first time

the Ride of Silence has been held

in Canberra.

The first ride was in Dallas,

Texas, in May 2003, in memory

of local racing cyclist Larry

Schwartz.

This year, the event was due

to be held in 293 locations

across 17 countries.