Cleveland joins a list of cities across the country and around the world on a Ride of Silence, a ride to acknowledge injuries and fatalities for cyclists on the roads and paths, honor their memories and encourage cycling safety.  The nationwide ride, as well as the Cleveland area ride, was Wednesday, May 21st at 7:00 PM.

Cyclists gathered locally at Garfield Park Nature Center in southeast part of Cuyahoga County, proceeding through the Metro Parks and on the roads in tthe Garfield Heights and Cleveland neighborhoods. For those not familiar, The Ride of Silence is an inclusive, silent, low-speed ride to honor those injured or killed while cycling and to promote cycling safety.  To learn more about the national Ride of Silence program, visit here: http://www.rideofsilence.org/howto.php In supporting and organizing the ride, ClevelandBikes volunteers, wanted to focus on the importance of road safety. In this instance, the cycling fatality occurred very near Marynount Hospital, where the cyclist ultimately died. Road collisions are

not all fatal and we need the support of the community to end needless injuries and deaths. If the motorists had looked out for the rider in the road, not their legal consequences, perhaps the death could have been avoided. On a cheerier note, the cyclists got an opportunity to explore Cleveland neighborhoods and the Morgana Run Trail, stopping off to enjoy Cleveland's highest waterfall.  At left, ClevelandBikes volunteer John Sesak, describes the Morgana Run Trail and the highest waterfall in the City of Cleveland, located in the Slavic Village neighborhood. The Garfield site was chosen as the most recent cycling fatality, involving a car collision that killed 54 year-old Maple Heights resident Michael Gedeon on October 27, 2007. The following story appeared in the local newpaper:

The Plain Dealer, Metro B5

October 28, 2007

GARFIELD HEIGHTS
Cyclist struck, killed
A 54-year-old Maple Heights man died early Saturday after being struck by a car Friday night while riding his bicycle. Michael Gedeon was riding near 13100 Granger Road when a vehicle hit him about 10:20 p.m., police said. The vehicle did not stop. Officers found Gedeon unconscious in the street. He was taken to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland and died at 5:15 a.m., police said. Anyone with information is asked to call Garfield Heights police at 216-475-1234.
##30##

Following a successful investigation, the following article appeared:

The Plain Dealer
March 18, 2008

Garfield Heights police said they have arrested two people involved in the death of Michael Gedeon Oct. 26, when he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle.  This is what happened, according to Capt. Tom Kaiser:

Samantha Rauch, 19, of Richfield, was driving about 8:30 p.m. on Granger Road. She struck Gedeon in the curb lane.  Her boyfriend, Anthony Hominsky Jr., 19, of Maple Heights, then got behind the wheel. He drove to an apartment in Broadview Heights. He smashed out the car's windows and removed a CD player to make it look like the car had been damaged by a thief. He reported the "theft" to Broadview Heights police and took the car to a junk yard.  Rauch is charged with vehicular homicide. Hominsky is charged with obstructing justice and tampering with evidence. Both were in jail Monday.
##30##