“It was one day and it changed everything,” Bachman said.

More than 50 people joined Bachman Wednesday in the rain for the Ride of Silence, an annual event to honor cyclists who have been injured or killed by motorists. In a silent procession, the riders made their way from Beaumont Tower to the steps of the Capitol building, where they shared stories and memories of loved ones. The riders sported red and black armbands, which represented cyclists injured or killed while on the road.

The first Ride of Silence was held in 2003 in Dallas in honor of Larry Schwartz, an endurance cyclist killed after being clipped by a school bus mirror. The event attracted 1,000 riders the first year and has grown to become an annual event around the globe.

Tim Potter, manager of the MSU Bikes Service Center and secretary for the Ride of Silence board of directors, said there were 321 scheduled Rides of Silence worldwide as of Wednesday afternoon.

“A lot of people from around the country come away saying that this is the most powerful event (they’ve) ever been a part of,” Potter said. “Just spending about an hour in silence, where normally you’re chit-chatting and talking about the weather, focuses you on what you’re riding for.”

Bachman said she visits Barker frequently and has seen the progress in his recovery, as he has begun to walk and move his left side more freely. She said he often expresses his eagerness to return to racing.

MSU alumna and former member of the triathlon team Laurin Katzenstein said it’s easy to take safety for granted and Barker’s accident is a lesson to raise awareness for sharing the road.

“I think about him every time I get on my bike,” she said.

To June Moss , who lives in St. Johns, Mich., the dangers to cyclists have increased as drivers have become more inattentive, a problem reflected in the number of cyclist fatalities in Michigan. In 2009, there were 20 reported cyclist fatalities; in 2010, there were 31.

“It is a time to meditate and think about these other riders who have been killed or injured doing something they love,” Moss said. “To me it’s a chance to remember. They are not forgotten, they’re still remembered.”

Bachman started participating in the Ride of Silence after Barker’s accident as a way to honor him and promote safety for all cyclists in the road.

“Every time you go out, you assume you’re coming back,” Bachman said. “He didn’t get to come back.”