Campaign urges cyclists to get lights on bikes
11 April 2003
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.
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