The 2016 Ride of Silence is scheduled to take place Wednesday, May 18, at 6:45 p.m., rain or shine. The ride honors Philadelphia-area cyclists killed or injured in motor vehicle-related accidents and to raise awareness about the rights of cyclists to ride the roads.

Ten bicyclists have been killed in the Delaware Valley in the last nine months. Two cyclists were critically injured in hit-and-run accidents in West Philadelphia in the last month, one of whom, a 27-year-old man, died of his injuries.

The ride, which is organized by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, is being held in Philadelphia for the 11th year in a row and in its 13th year since its inception. It is expected to be held this year at over 300 U.S. locations and in over 15 countries. Last year, the ride attracted about 200 local participants and this year, at least 500 riders are expected to participate in the event. 

The 8-mile-long route will start at the foot of the front steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum on the Ben Franklin Parkway. A brief pre-ride dedication ceremony will take place at 6:45 p.m. and the 11 mile per hour ride will start promptly at 7:00 p.m. It will proceed down the Parkway, circle City Hall, continue to Independence Hall and head over to West Philly via the Walnut St. Bridge.

The ride will return to the front of the Art Museum over the Spring Garden Street Bridge. The duration of the ride is expected to be one hour. Helmets are required and bicycle lights are encouraged.

General information on the Ride of Silence can be found at www.rideofsilence.org