Approximately 300 cyclists gathered in front of the Bay Minette Courthouse on Saturday for a “Ride of Silence” to honor Art Clemons and Bill Imle, who were recently killed by an alleged drunk driver as they were cycling on Bromley Road on Labor Day.

The tragedy sent shock waves through the community, event organizer Mary Trufant said.

“It was so random. It could have been any one of us,” she said.

Donations and offerings were also accepted for the families of Clemons and Imle.

“The ride is a very emotional thing. Everyone is quiet until you get back. It is very powerful,” Trufant said.

Alexander Rigsby worked the night shift on Friday. Despite the lack of sleep, he still managed to drive 62 miles to Bay Minette.

Charlene Lee said she was pleasantly surprised at the number of people who came to the ride. Part of the reason Lee participated was to also honor Ann and Larry McDuff — good friends of hers who were also killed while cycling.

“It spoke very much to the two people who just died and the previous incredibly wonderful people that have died when doing something that is extremely healthy,” she said. “We have a long way to go to really make our area one that welcomes cyclists and other forms of transportation other than cars.”

Bay Minette City Councilman Tony Edwards has been riding bikes for 25 years.

On the day of the accident Edwards had participated in a group bike ride that had left Bay Minette for a ride through north Baldwin County.

When they returned from the ride, everyone’s cell phones began ringing, he said. Worried family and friends were trying to reach them to make sure they had not been involved in the accident on Bromley Road.

He said the whole spirit of Saturday’s ride was to be a very respectful remembrance of all cyclists as a result of accidents on public highways, not a protest rally or cyclists rights event.

“The Gulf Coast is not biker friendly, so we have to ride in the streets,” Trufant said.

Cyclists have to follow the same rules of the road.

People who would like to bike often don’t because of fear of being in an accident, she said.

According to the Alabama Department of Public Safety’s Web site, a total of 191 cyclist accidents were reported — seven which were fatal — in 2006.

During the week of Labor Day, another cyclist was struck and killed in Niceville, Fla., by a motorist.

Bicycling groups in this area are loosely based and can range from 25 to 75 members, Trufant said.

Groups will often ride in the early morning hours because there is less traffic.

Edwards said he has never had a close call of being in an accident, but a very good friend did last Christmas season. His friend sustained a wrist and shoulder injury.

“We [cyclists] try to be as unobtrusive as possible,” he said.

Cyclists just want to enjoy the ride, he said.

The tragedy on Labor Day had more to do with it being an alleged drunk driving accident than a cycling accident, Edwards said.

“Those two gentleman [Clemons and Imle] could be anyone walking or construction workers along side of the road,” he said.

Edwards said the cycling community is very appreciative of the outpouring of support.

“It is a tragedy that we hope we never have to deal with it again,” Edwards said.

“We feel privileged to honor these families. It is a great loss,” said Kellie Armstrong, a cyclist who traveled from Mobile with her friend Monica Warren to participate in the ride.