Safety Guidelines
To our valued riders
It is with great regret that we must cancel the Morning Glory Ride for this year.
The bad economy appears to have taken its toll on us too.
Registrations are far below normal. If it went on, the ride would lose quite a bit of money rather than be the fund-raiser it is intended to be.
We are terribly sorry to have to cancel, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.
We will send refunds to all registered riders shortly.
Thank you for your understanding and for your continued support, and please join us next year, Sunday August 1st for the 28th Morning Glory Ride.
And until next year, please RIDE SAFE!
- Obey all traffic laws.
- Ride with traffic.
- Be predictable. Don't make sudden moves such as swerving, changing lanes or changing direction.
- Stay alert.
- Wear a bicycle helmet and have head and tail lights, as required by Ohio Law. Reflectors and light colored or reflective clothing are encouraged.
Here are some more safety guidelines from Steven M. Magas, The Bike Lawyer
Riding a bike on the streets of Ohio at night can be fun and exciting.
In an event like The Morning Glory Ride, you get to ride with hundreds of other riders in the pre-dawn hours along mostly vacant roads. There are some safety guidelines you should keep in mind as you pedal along.
Ohio Laws Governing Bicycle Operation on the Roadways
If you want to ride at night Ohio law requires both a front white light and rear light. In September, 2006, the law was changed, thanks to the efforts of the Ohio Bike Federation, and the rear light can be a solid red light or a flashing light. All local bike shops sell a wide variety of both front and rear lights ranging in price from $10-20 up to hundreds of dollars for outstanding lighting packages used by those who do a lot of night riding. Failure to utilize a light at night can result in a traffic ticket.
In addition to a light, the law of Ohio has some specific rules riding a bike! The law divides the world into two parts - the part ON the roadway and the rest of the world. Once you make the choice to operate a bicycle on the roadways you are required to comply with all traffic laws and specific laws relating to bike riding.
The law in Ohio has recognized a bicycle as a "vehicle" with a right to use the roads ever since the very first "Vehicle Code" was passed in the early 1900's. Bicycle riders must remember that operating a "vehicle" on the roads carries certain responsibilities. As a vehicle operator you must ride WITH traffic, in the proper lane of travel. You must ride "as far right as practicable" which, in general, means towards the right half of the lane, taking care to avoid hazards, obstacles and debris. You must obey traffic controls - stopping at red lights and stop signs. You must obey all speed limits. You are required to signal your turns. A recent change in the law permits bicycle operators to signal a right turn with the right arm extended rather than using the "bent left arm" approach. You should know that police officers can write traffic tickets to cyclists for any traffic law infraction, even drunk riding!
And just for the sake of formality and completeness, here's chapter and verse from the City of Cincinnati:
Sec. 506-4 Bicycles, Motorized Bicycles and Motorcycles, Regulations.
a) Every person riding a bicycle or motorized bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, obeying all traffic rules applicable to vehicles and exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
b) Persons operating bicycles or motorized bicycles shall ride in the same direction as all other vehicular traffic.
c) Persons operating bicycles, motorized bicycles or motorcycles upon a roadway shall ride not more than two abreast in a single lane, except on paths or part of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, motorized bicycles or motorcycles.