Ohio Celebrates a Safer National Bike Month

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 3, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ohio Bicycle Federation (OBF) is celebrating a very special National Bike Month.  After spearheading a seven-year effort, the only statewide advocacy organization representing bicyclists since 1980 finally welcomes a law requiring Ohio motorists to give bicyclists at least three feet of passing clearance. Yesterday, May 2^nd 2017, the IV Ohio Bicycling Summit gathered several bicycling organizations at the Ohio Statehouse to recognize this milestone.

Celebrations included honoring the sponsors of the three-foot passing law with OBF highest award. House Representatives Mike Henne(R-40) and Mike Sheehy(D-46) accepted the H.M. Huffman Award for Service to Ohio Bicycling during the IV Ohio Bicycling Summit. Chuck Smith, the OBF Chair explained that "the new, statewide law requiring three feet passing clearance is the most recent of several upgrades in Ohio law relating to bicycling for which OBF is responsible. We have successfully shepherded five pro-cycling measures through the Ohio legislature to signature by the governor and promoted the use of bicycles."

To ignite National Bike Month activities, the OBF dedicated its Summit Bike Ride to "Your Move Ohio."  This innovative endeavor is the result of a joint effort between Ohio Departments of Health and Transportation, encouraging people to embrace active commuting habits: Ohioans should bike, bus, and walk. Kelli Hykes, Director of Public Health Policy at Columbus Public Health, explained how "…besides all scholarly evidence, a study from the University of North Carolina covering 14 countries and all 50 US states found substantial evidence of lower risks of diabetes and obesity when active transport- like bicycling- increases."

The OBF will keep celebrating National Bike Month through social media and organized rides. Various events across Ohio are planned for the Bike to Work Day (May 19^th), inviting people to join the OBF and ride.

The Ohio Bicycle Federation (OBF) is the only statewide advocacy organization representing Ohio's bicyclists. Since 1980, this not-for-profit alliance of bicycling experts and bicycling groups has dedicated its efforts to improving bicycling through better education, legislation, and collaboration.

SOURCE Ohio Bicycle Federation

Related Links

http://www.ohiobike.org