CLEVELAND — Since fall is here, it’s starting to get dark outside earlier, which means some commutes now take place under the fall of night. A northeast Ohio nonprofit is shining some light on the situation for cyclists to help make it easier to see and be seen.

What You Need To Know

  • Bike Cleveland is surprising cyclists with Random Acts of Brightness

  • Volunteers ride through the community to give free white headlights and red taillights to people who don't have them installed on their bikes 

  • Ohio law requires bicycles have headlights and taillights visible from at least 500 feet away at night

Volunteers with Bike Cleveland share a vision of visibility.

“Why be in the dark when we can give this opportunity to everybody?” said Diana Hildebrand, Bike Cleveland education and outreach manager.

Hildebrand and a group of cyclists pedaled in a pack through neighborhoods Wednesday night to surprise others on two wheels with Random Acts of Brightness.

They used the final stretch before sunset to install a front and back light on bicycles that would soon be left in the dark.

“They’re giving motorists an opportunity see that there is something up ahead,” Hildebrand said. “And that the motorists can go ahead and start reacting in enough time give us our space.”

In Ohio, bicycles are required to have a working white headlight and red taillight when traveling at night.

“Just because it’s nighttime doesn’t mean I have to go in the house,” Hildebrand said. “I can still be outside and having fun.”

She’s a cycling convert who found her way to riding in adulthood.

“I never would have thought in all my wildest dreams that this would be something I would be doing,” Hildebrand said. “Especially at this age.”

She now shares the sport with her son Abran, who likes the added lights on his bike.

“It grabs people’s attention and, you know, tells them we’re here,” he said.

But the 13-year-old isn’t a big fan of being a night rider.

“Mosquitoes, mostly bugs, spiders and everything flying around you,” he said. “Every little bug hitting your face.”

Since he uses his bicycle as his major mode of transportation, Brian Barksdale said he’s had some close calls with drivers not seeing him.

“Somebody not long ago almost doored me,” he said. “But, thank God I was paying attention.”

Bob Curran said he hasn’t always been so lucky.

“I’ve had mirrors knock my elbow and my wrist and cause me to go down,” he said.

Curran now uses wheel lights and bright clothes, in addition to headlights and taillights, to call attention to himself. He said increasing illumination could help you steer clear of a dangerous situation.

“If you want to go home and enjoy tomorrow, if your family wants to see ya, be seen,” he said. “Be safe.”

Bike Cleveland provides and installs free lights for cyclists who need them. The next Random Acts of Brightness event will push off at 6 p.m. Sept. 27 from Public Square.