An upcoming memorial bike ride is a timely reminder of the dangers cyclists are faced with every time they strap on their helmet and pedal away.

Mr Stenhouse said motorists and cyclists are equally liable on the road but if an accident was to occur, it is the cyclist who is in the most vulnerable position.

“Bikes have a legal right to be on the road,” he said.

“Unfortunately for us, we are the most vulnerable.

“If you’re on a bike and there’s a ratbag driver, you’re going to come out second best every time.”

Mr Stenhouse said motorists are wary of other cars or larger vehicles because if an accident were to occur, the risk of damage to them or their vehicle is higher than if they were to collide with a bicycle.

“People are more respectful of something that is going to cause them grief if they run into it,” he said.

“There are some people who are malicious and we can’t understand what is going through their head because most of us don’t think like that.”

The Ride of Silence started in the United States of America a decade ago and has been held in Wagga for about five years.

It’s a memorial bike ride held in complete silence to commemorate cyclists who have been injured or killed on the road.

“We are trying to say in a subtle way that we are here, we matter, please take care around us,” Mr Stenhouse said.

Mr Stenhouse said motorists in Wagga are usually pretty mindful of cyclists and not too many major accidents have occurred.

He ensures he makes himself as visible as possible while riding and shares the road fairly with motorists.

The Ride of Silence will depart Station Place on Saturday at 10am and travel 10 kilometres through central and north Wagga to Cartwrights Hill.

A small ceremony will then be held, where the Ride of Silence poem will be read by Bicycle Wagga Wagga committee member Owen Plowman.

Cyclists participating are asked to ride no faster than 20 kilometres an hour and to remain silent during the ride.

For more information, contact Owen Plowman on 0429 154 619.