Bicyclists in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti will join others around the nation on May 19 for a ride to commemorate those who have been injured or killed while riding.

Called the Ride of Silence, the 7 p.m. event is also meant to raise awareness that bicyclists are on area highways, have a legal right to ride on streets, and to ask that both cyclists and motorists share the road.

This white bicycle was placed near the scene of crash that killed a bicyclist in Pittsfield Township last year.

File photo

Nationaly, nearly 700 bicyclists are killed each year while riding. Most of the accidents occur in cities and suburbs.

In Michigan, 2,071 bicycles were involved in motor vehicles crashes in 2008, with 25 bicyclists killed and 1,638 injured. A vast majority of those killed or injured while bicycling weren't wearing a helmet.

In Washtenaw County, two riders died last year when cars hit their bikes, and 96 bike riders were involved in crashes.

Locally, two Rides of Silence will be held at 7 p.m. May 19.

In Ann Arbor, the ride will start at Wheeler Park, North Fifth Avenue and Depot Street, and is sponsored by the Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society.

In Ypsilanti, the ride will start at Recreation Park, Congress and Elm streets, and is sponsored by Bike Ypsi. 

Both rides are free and open to the public and will last about an hour. All paticipants asked to wear a bike helmet and to obey all traffic laws.

For more information about the Rides Of Silence, visit www.rideofsilence.org.