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

To encourage cyclists to get lights for their bikes, vouchers (like the one shown here) offering 25 per cent off the cost of lights are being distributed through Council libraries, Service Centres and other facilities as well as through educational establishments. Participating cycle shops are listed on the voucher.

Michael Ferigo, the City Council cycling and pedestrian transport planner, says cyclists who ride at night without lights are a danger to other road users and are far more likely to be involved in an accident.

“By law, cyclists are required to have lights on their bikes between the legal hours of darkness, which are from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise and at any other time when there’s not enough light to see 100m,” he says.

The campaign runs from 14 April to 7 June.

The City Council aims 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.

• More information about cycling and the City Council can be found on the web, at www.ccc.govt.nz/Recreation/Cycling/