Registration is underway for the Fourth Annual Moonlight Loop Evening Bicycle Ride. The event is a police-led, evening bicycle ride of 19 miles around Columbus to benefit Columbus Animal Care Services. The ride will take place Saturday, August 5th at 9 p.m. Organizers say the ride starts, and ends, at the Bartholomew County Library Plaza.

Organizers say that volunteers are needed. They will receive a t-shirt. If you would like to help, you are asked to call (812) 376-2505.

Ride organizers say that money raised from this event are used to support the agency’s Adoption Medical Fund. The fund covers spaying and neutering costs, pet care services, veterinarian treatment for pets housed at the facility, medical requirements for transports, and pet food, as well as promotion of adoptions and educational programs. Officials say that funds generated from this event have allowed the agency to achieve their highest save rates to date for both dogs and cats.

Entry fees are $25 through July 22, $30 through Thursday, August 3 and $35 the evening of the ride. Riders are required to wear a helmet and have their bicycle equipped with both a headlight and taillight. While the ride is police-led and assisted, organizers stress that the roads are not closed to traffic and all rules of the road are enforced. In addition, riders should be able to ride at a pace of at least 10 mph and be at least 16- years-old.

If you don’t have a bike or simply don’t want to transport it, organizers have teamed up with the Columbus Park Foundation and Columbike, the city’s bike-share program, to offer bicycle rentals for this event. You can reserve a bike by emailing [email protected] by August 2nd. Discounted rental rates will apply.

For more information, or to register, visit www.columbus.in.gov. You can also register at the Animal Care Services Center between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday.