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The tires are painted, along with the frame, handlebars and cables.

Closer inspection reveals green plastic flowers in nearly every spoke.

The bicycle at the corner of Pennsylvania and Michigan avenues is a haunting memorial to a cyclist who died at that corner in May 2013.

James Thelen was riding his bike one evening and was killed in a hit-and-run accident.

No arrests were ever made.

The “ghost bike” is a reminder of his spirit, the incident and the need for better awareness for cyclists.

A ghost bike is a bicycle set up as a roadside memorial in a place where a cyclist has been killed or severely injured. Apart from being a memorial, it’s also a reminder for motorists to share the road.

Patrick Harrington said this ghost bike was installed this spring after a memorial ride.

He said it’s often vandalized – turned upside down – or fades in the sun. The flowers are an embellishment from the public, he said.

“I’m stunned it’s still alive,” Harrington said. “I thought it would be three days before the city took it down.”

Harrington said road safety awareness needs to be raised.

He said he expects 500 cyclists in an upcoming Ride of Silence Tribute to Jill Byelich on Oct. 5 from Wacousta to the Capitol.

Byelich, of DeWitt, was hit and killed while riding her bicycle on Sept. 2.

The group will start at Looking Glass Valley Park on Wacousta Road at 2 p.m. and ride in silence to the crash site (about 2.5 miles) where they will stop for reflection and prayer.

Others will continue on Howe Road through downtown Dewitt (another 5.5 miles) with a brief stop at the DeWitt Cemetery where Byelich is buried. The ride will proceed to the Michigan State Capitol (another eight miles). There a brief rally will be held at approximately 4 p.m. to raise support for bills being debated in the Michigan Legislature:

• Nathan’s Law HB 5438 would enhance drivers education in Michigan to include more information concerning the laws pertaining to bicycles and motorcycles and emphasize awareness of their operation on streets, roads, and highways.

• Vulnerable Roadway Users HBs 4792 and 5080 would create enhanced penalties for drivers who injure or kill vulnerable roadway users.

Many states have passed or are considering vulnerable user laws which could include more substantial fines for drivers who seriously injure or kill vulnerable users – cyclists, pedestrians or others. Advocates say it will give police and prosecutors another option to charge reckless drivers with besides vehicular manslaughter.

For more information on the ride, search on Facebook events for: Ride of Silence Tribute for Jill Byelich