‘Lights on Bikes’ a vital winter safety message

LIGHTS ON BIKES campaigners Brett Purchase and Sergeant Warren Shaw give free lights and advice to cyclists Craig Holmes (left) and Peter Bees. TC240608DT01

BY DEAN TAYLOR

With shorter days and more people riding bikes to save on fuel costs, a campaign to increase the use of lights on bikes is timely.

The ‘Lights On Bikes’ campaign is a joint venture between Police, Waipa District Council and two local bike shops, TeA Cycles and Integrated Cycles. The campaign aims to increase public awareness of the need for cycles to display lights during the hours of darkness and, as importantly, during times of poor visibility.

Bike shop owners Brett Purchase and John Fromen joined Sergeant Warren Shaw and road safety coordinator Meagan Jolley for two evenings last week, talking to cyclists and fitting free front and back lights to bikes not already lit.

‘Lights On Bikes’ originated from Tauranga after a New Zealand representative cyclist was killed when he was hit by a car in the early evening. Tauranga Cycle Action Group, Police, Tauranga Council and Tauranga Cycle shops saw the need for increased public awareness of lights on bikes, resulting in the formation of the ‘Lights On Bikes’ campaign.

The campaign involves cyclists being stopped on the road side and lights being fitted (at no cost), before they ride off. It has been so successful that it was brought to Hamilton, and now, Te Awamutu.

There is some evidence that while there is not a large number of Te Awamutu cyclists who ride in the evening, the majority of those that do are not using lights. Sergeant Shaw says during the campaign cyclists are given advice and lights instead of a $55 ticket. He warns that enforcement action will follow the campaign.

Over the first two nights 16 cyclists were given lights. It is planned to run the campaign for another night in the CBD in the near future.

Mr Purchase and Mr Fromen are happy to be part of a campaign aimed at increasing cyclist safety. They say spreading the safety message is a great project and hope cyclists will go a step further and invest in some reflective gear as well to improve visibility. Mr Purchase says the cost of lights and reflective tape and clothing is minimal these days, but plays a huge part in keeping safe while cycling.

Mr Fromen says there is still an issue with safety on the open road, where injuries from crashes are worst, and he encourages cyclists to do whatever they can to make themselves as safe as possible. He says in this district where dull conditions, rain or fog are prevalent during winter, cyclists should also use lights and bright clothing while riding in daylight hours.

Both men are rapt that the campaign has received a positive response from both cyclists and the public in general.