Family, friends and bicycling enthusiasts will gather this weekend for a ride around the island in memory of Zachary Manago.

Manago was 18 when he was killed by a hit-and-run driver while cycling along Kamehameha Highway near Wahiawa in December 2010. Zachary Manago’s Ride in Paradise was initiated in 2011 to raise awareness about bicycle safety on the roads. 

In a new event this year — a criterium, or short race on city streets — lanes along Ala Moana Boulevard, Ward Avenue, Ilalo Street and Koula Street will be partially closed so bicyclists can compete in a closed course. The criterium will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

"We wanted to try to attract a variety of cyclists who may not be able to ride so far to come to one place and have a fun race in Kakaako," said Chad Taniguchi, Hawaii Bicycling League executive director. The course covers a half-mile, and bicyclists will race for up to 30 minutes in some categories.

In addition, there will be a race for keiki on one of Groove Hawaii’s tracks. "That’ll be a fun thing and it’ll be very, very safe," Taniguchi said. "So we encourage all the kids to come out."

The 68-mile ride around the island, set to start at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, will begin at a memorial site for Manago off Kamehameha Highway near Leilehua Road in Wahiawa.

"We take the time to remember Zachary and his vision for more bike lanes on Oahu so that everyone who wanted to ride a bike could ride safely all along the island. That was his vision, and that’s what we’re trying to make come true," Taniguchi said.

About 100 people have signed up for the ride, Taniguchi said, adding that in the past about 150 people have participated.

Bicyclists will ride from Wahiawa toward the west side of the island, around Kaena Point, through Ewa Beach and the Pearl Harbor Bike Path, until they reach the state Capitol. Taniguchi said the league has asked the Navy to open the gate at the end of the path for their safety.

"They (the family) want to have some good come out of this tragedy, and the best thing that could come out of it is that drivers and cyclists would respect each other on the road and the city and state would create more bike lanes so everyone could use the road as they choose," Taniguchi said.

Manago’s mother, Daphne Manago, said her son rode his bike for recreation and transportation but never felt safe on the roads.

"Hopefully, this event can raise awareness for safety," she said. "I want something good to come out of this tragedy."

For more information about the events, go to hbl.org.