Campaign urges cyclists to get lights on bikes

Cyclists riding at night without lights are the target of a campaign being launched this month by the Christchurch City Council and the Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA).

Discount vouchers offering 25 per cent off the cost of bike lights are being distributed through council libraries, service centres and other facilities, as well as educational establishments to encourage cyclists to get lights on their bikes. The participating cycle shops sponsoring the discount are listed on the voucher.

Christchurch City Council cycling and pedestrian transport planner Michael Ferigo says cyclists that ride at night without lights are a danger to other road users and are far more likely to be involved in crashes.

"By law, cyclists are required to have lights on their bikes between the legal hours of darkness, which are from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. Also, at any other time when there is not enough light to see 100 metres."

Cyclists caught without lights face a minimum $55 fine.

Acting Canterbury Road Policing Manager, Senior Sergeant Rick Jury, says that during the Council's campaign, the Police will put a concentrated effort into covering the use of cycle lights and the wearing of cycle helmets.

Mr Ferigo says that cyclists should also ask cycle shops, or look up the LTSA website www.ltsa.govt.nz to make sure that their bike lights comply with the legal requirements.

The campaign will run from 14 April to 7 June.

The City Council's cycling strategy is to make Christchurch the country's most cycle friendly city and this campaign fits with that goal, says Mr Ferigo.

"It's our job to help make that happen by getting more people cycling safely with the proper equipment", says Mr Ferigo.

© Scoop Media