She's a triathlete, after all. But when she climbs on the bike for this Wednesday's Ride of Silence, her purpose will be altogether different.
The ride, which started nationally in 2003, is designed to honor cyclists and pedestrians killed by trucks and cars. And that is where LaBarge, an assistant professor at the University of Montana, found her purpose in the absence created by the loss of her friend Jane Higdon.
“For whatever reason, the truck didn't move over at all as it passed the group, and somebody fell,” LaBarge said. “Jane fell because of the other rider and went under the truck. She was amazing person, and then she was just gone.”
The cyclists were riding responsibly, single file, but the truck's unwillingness to yield any piece of the road proved deadly.
“It's so easy to just share a piece of the road, but too many people can't be bothered,” LaBarge said.
The Ride of Silence included 272 cities in all 50 states and 15 countries in 2007. Missoula took part for the first time last year, and LaBarge said about 20 people participated.
“We know it's likely to be weather dependent, but we'd love to see 100 people out riding,” said LaBarge, who serves on the board of directors for the Bike/Walk Alliance for Missoula, which is coordinating the ride.
Each year, half a million cyclists are injured badly enough to require medical treatment. Worse, about 800 riders a year are killed, most because of collisions with vehicles.
More than half of riders report feeling unsafe while riding in traffic. LaBarge said she feels similarly while riding in western Montana.
“It's not bad in town, but it's shocking when you get out of town how incredibly insensitive and dangerous drivers can be,” she said. “There's a lot of harassment by some people, and other people just aren't paying any attention. As much as I love to ride, I'm really glad when I get home.”
Reporter Michael Moore can be reached at 523-5252 or at mmoore@missoulian.com
Join the ride
The Ride of Silence takes place at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Riders should gather at Caras Park about 6:45 p.m. Be sure to wear a helmet.
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