9th annual Motorcycle Safety Ride is Saturday

Staff report

CANFIELD

The Ninth Annual North Coast Motorcycle Safety Ride will take place Saturday, with registration starting at 10 a.m. at the Canfield Fairgrounds, 7265 Columbiana-Canfield Road.

The ride begins at 11 a.m., and riders will travel to the Bristol Township Fire Department, 2100 state Route 88, Bristolville, where they will meet up with Ashtabula and Lake County safety-ride participants.

The group will depart again to enjoy a scenic ride through Ashtabula, Geauga and Trumbull counties before reaching the Cortland Moose Lodge, 6400 state Route 46, for a picnic. Total distance of the ride is expected to be about 100 miles.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol will escort the riders as well as handle traffic controls at all intersections on the routes to maintain one continuous ride.

The ride is sponsored by the patrol and the Safe Communities Coalitions in Ashtabula, Lake, Mahoning and Trumbull counties. It aims to raise awareness of motorcycle safety issues and decrease the number of motorcyclists killed on Ohio’s roads.

Mahoning County had one motorcycle fatality in 2013, which is down from five motorcycle fatalities in 2012 and six in 2011.

Cost is $15 for a single rider and $5 per passenger. Ticket price includes registration, food, soft drinks, and one raffle ticket for a grand prize. Poker run and 50-50 raffle tickets also will be available for purchase.

For information, contact Susan Viars, coordinator, Mahoning Safe Communities, at 330-599-8502 or at sviars@zoominternet.net.