Posted: November 09, 2009 11:23:45 PST
Local agencies, businesses and bicycle safety advocates have initiated a community education campaign to increase the use of bike lights and promote safe night riding. The “See and Be Seen” campaign combines education, enforcement and access to lights to encourage cyclists to use bike lights when riding at night.
“Using bike lights is a simple yet effective way to increase safety for everyone – cyclists, motorists and pedestrians,” said Kim Brown, City Transportation Options Coordinator. “Lights are particularly important this time of year when the days are getting shorter and darker."
Brown coordinates the "Bellingham Share the Road…and the Rules" workgroup, which is sponsoring the awareness campaign. Along with community education, increasing access to bike lights is a key part of the campaign. Local bike shops are generously offering bike light deals throughout November. Fantatik Bike Company, Jack’s Bicycle Center, Fairhaven Bike and Ski, Kulshan Cycles, Bellingham REI and the WWU Outdoor Center are all supporting the campaign by providing bike light discounts.
The Bellingham Police Department and WWU Police Department are increasing their enforcement of bike light violations, giving warnings and/or tickets to cyclists riding after dark without lights, during a sustained bicycle enforcement effort that coincides with the "See and Be Seen" campaign. Officers may also provide education and coupons for discounts on bike lights.
“A lot of people don’t know that it’s illegal to ride a bike after dark without a light,” says Bellingham Police Department Sergeant David Richards. “We will be making an effort to enforce this law more, to increase safety for bicyclists, motorists and others."
Washington State law requires that during the hours of darkness cyclists must use a white front light attached to the bike visible for 500 feet, along with a red reflector attached to the back of the bike. A red flashing light is not required, but increases safety because it makes the bicycle more visible to motorists. Lights attached to helmets, clothing or backpacks are only legal when used in addition to lights mounted on the bicycle.
The "Share the Road and the Rules" work group consists of many organizations concerned with transportation safety. Partners include the Bellingham Police Department, City of Bellingham Public Works, EverybodyBIKE, WWU Sustainable Transportation, Bellingham Bike Gang (WWU Associated Students club), the Campus Community Coalition, WWU Police Department, Kona USA, the Mt. Baker Bicycle Club, and the Whatcom Traffic Safety Task Force.
###
Media Contact:
Kim Brown, City of Bellingham, Transportation Options Coordinator, 778-7950 or kimbrown@cob.org
