Christchurch cyclists are not very bright - Cr Chrissie Williams

22 May 2003

“Christchurch cyclists who ride at night without lights are a real danger to themselves and other road users”, says Cr Chrissie Williams in response to the Christchurch City Council’s count of the number of cycles without lights at night.

A count of cyclists in the city last month showed that more than half where riding at night without lights. Of those with lights, most were too dim to be detected from the legal requirement of 100 metres away.

“The survey results are disappointing. Common sense prevents us from driving our cars at night without lights, yet some people do not think that this applies to bicycles ” says Cr Williams

“People who cycle at night are almost twice as likely to have an accident causing themselves or others harm,” says Michael Ferigo, Christchurch City Council’s Cycling and Pedestrian Planner. The Christchurch City Council and Land Transport Safety Authority’s ‘Brighten Up’ campaign aims to encourage cyclist’s to ‘brighten up’ at night so that other road users have a better chance of spotting them. ”

The ‘Lighten Up’ promotion offers 25 per cent discount on bike lights redeemable at participating local cycle retailers.

The vouchers are available from participating cycle retailers, any Council library, service centre or other Council facility until 7 June. Large quantities of vouchers can be ordered on behalf of an organisation or business by contacting Jackie King on 941-8026.

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