Bicyclists take Ride of Silence to Columbia streets on Wednesday

Cyclists will ride a 4.5-mile route in Columbia on Wednesday in the annual Ride of Silence.

The ride is a worldwide event to honor cyclists who have been injured or killed on the roads and raise awareness of biker safety and shared roads.

The ride begins at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday at Dreher High School. Columbia police will escort riders through the streets.