An annual cycling event from Bethesda, Maryland, to Washington, D.C., is set to take place on Sunday, aiming to spotlight the urgent need for safer streets for everyone, including cyclists and pedestrians.
The fourth edition of the Ride for Your Life bike ride will start in Bethesda and conclude in D.C., all in an effort to promote safer road conditions for all users, particularly cyclists and pedestrians.
This roughly 10-mile journey is organized by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association. Dan Langenkamp, who is leading the event, is motivated by a personal tragedy: his wife, diplomat Sarah Debbink Langenkamp, lost her life in 2022 while cycling on River Road.
This year’s bike ride aligns with the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, and Langenkamp shared his enthusiasm with WTOP, noting that the event has inspired over 1,000 riders in previous years, saying, “It really is inspiring. Honestly, I love it.”
Langenkamp highlighted alarming statistics, mentioning that over 40,000 individuals died in traffic accidents across the U.S. in 2023. Among these fatalities, 30% were either cyclists or pedestrians.
“We are facing significant challenges,” Langenkamp remarked. “Vehicles are larger and heavier than ever before, and distractions are a growing issue, with more people staring at screens while driving.”
Nonetheless, he remains optimistic about improvements in roadway safety. He pointed out advancements in technology, including speed governors in vehicles and enhancements in road design.
Additionally, the Maryland State Highway Administration is actively working on new, marked bike lanes on River Road, specifically along the route where Langenkamp’s wife tragically lost her life.
The Ride for Your Life event is set to commence at 10 a.m. at Caroline Freeland Urban Park in downtown Bethesda, concluding at the Lincoln Memorial. A rally will follow, featuring speakers who will urge lawmakers to support the Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act. This bill aims to provide states with greater flexibility in utilizing federal highway funds to enhance safe biking and pedestrian infrastructure.
Langenkamp emphasized that this initiative is focused on creating communities that are not only safer but also offer a better quality of life—more bikeable, more walkable, and overall, friendlier.
For those interested in participating, Langenkamp mentioned that individuals can register for free online or in person on the day of the ride.
“It’s going to be fantastic,” he added.
