MARIO RUIZ/Daily Herald Dozens of cyclists made a silent statement during a 12 mile bike ride through Orem neighborhoods Wednesday May 20, 2009. The group of Orem cyclists made up of community members and the Telos Treatment Center riding team were part of a worldwide effort to honor those who have been injured or killed while riding on public roads called the Ride of Silence. No one spoke during the 12 mile police escorted trek, which looped around UVU and north Orem before coming back to the Telos parking lot. Hundreds of people are killed every year in the United States in bike accidents involving motor vehicles, said Blu Robinson, pictured, who organized the ride in Orem. Robinson has been hit by a car himself, and as the Team Telos riding coach, says he's concerned about his students when they ride up Provo Canyon. "We've had a few close calls," he says. Robinson also urges motorists to remember that cyclists have the same rights as motor vehicles, and that cyclists themselves must obey the rules as well. SIDEBAR: Bike and Traffic Safety laws and guidelines: Utah cycling laws can be found at http://safe-route.org/laws/ It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle near a bicycle. The driver of an automobile may not knowingly drive within three feet of a moving bicycle. Summary of Utah Bicycle Laws Bicyclists are subject to all the rights and duties applicable to the operator of any other vehicle. A bicyclist must obey traffic lights, stop signs, one-way streets and other basic traffic laws. A bicycle may not carry more persons than it was designed for, except an adult may securely attach a child to a backpack. A bicyclist traveling at less than the normal speed of traffic must ride as near as practicable to the right-hand edge of the roadway except: to pass, make a left turn or avoid hazards. Persons may not ride more than two abreast except on paths exclusively used for bicycles. If a usable path exist for bicycles adjacent to a roadway, bicyclists must use the path and not the roadway. A bicyclist must yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal when overtaking a pedestrian. A person may not operate a bicycle upon a sidewalk path or trail or in a crosswalk if prohibited. If not prohibited, then the bicyclist has the same rights and duties as a pedestrian. A person may not operate a bicycle in a negligent manner so as to collide with a pedestrian, bicyclist or other human powered vehicle/device. When making a left-hand turn, the bicyclist may use the left turn lane just as a vehicle does; or cross the intersection as close to the right curb as practicable (like a pedestrian), then proceed in the new direction from the right curb. Bicyclists must signal intentions to turn right or left. The signal shall be at least 100 feet before turning and continuous so long as both hands are not needed, and shall be given while the bicyclist is stopped waiting to turn. Bicycle racing is prohibited on any highway or sidewalk except when approved by state or local authorities for special racing events. A bicyclist may not carry packages which prevent the use of both hands and shall keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times. Every bicycle must be equipped with brakes. Every bicycle in use after dark (1/2 hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise) must be equipped with a white light lamp on front, red reflectors on the rear and reflective materials on both sides that are all visible for 500 feet. The rider may wear lights or reflectors in addition to those on the bicycle. From the Christensen Law Firm: http://utahaccidentlawfirm.com/library/utahdavisdraperorembountiful-bicycle-accident-injury-attorneys.cfm Follow the rules of the road Ride with traffic, not against it Don’t pass on the right Don’t use headphones while biking Dress to be seen Use lights at night Always wear a helmet