Since 2002 the Winchester Wheelman Club has lost three of its members due to vehicle accidents.

Wednesday evening many cyclists participated in the Ride of Silence.

It's a somber and silent 10-mile bike ride to let motorists know that adults riding their bikes have been struck and killed.

Ken Tenney organized the event this year and remembers a fellow club member and friend who died seven years ago.

"Kevin Peters passed away in 2002 in Delaware while on vacation with his family," recalls Tenney. "He was killed by a motorist who fell asleep while driving a box truck. He was in a bike lane in a seemingly safe situation, but the driver fell asleep," adds Tenney.

The other two Winchester Wheelmen who died were Jerry Dambro, killed by a drunk driver, and Rich Rau, struck while waiting to cross the road in Clarke County.

Richard Hartman used to ride with Rau. Hartman says the purpose of the ride is two-fold, to ride in their honor and to have a presence on the road.

"We want to get across the awareness of cycling; it's a great sport, it's a great activity, for many people it's also a great means to transport to and from work or to run errands. It is important for cyclists to have a responsibility to adhere to the rules of the road and ride correctly , and we expect that same kind of respect as well," says Hartman.

On a night when the cyclists were riding to remember those who were killed in vehicle accidents, a van cut off the lead part of the group, nearly causing an accident itself.

During the ride the cyclists did not talk, but allowed the 45 minute ride to be a time to remember those who were killed. They remind motorists and cyclists that bikes are considered vehicles when on the road.