As it gets darker earlier in Tauranga the Police are reminding cyclists to be 'bright on your bike” this winter.

Reduced daylight hours and wet weather means commuters are riding their bikes in low-light conditions.

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To remind cyclists to put lights on their bikes and wear high-vis, reflective clothes, the Police have been joined by; Bike Wise, Travel Safe, Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council to start their annual Be Bright campaign.

The campaign involves checkpoints where Travel Safe and Tauranga City Council representatives will assess and provide reflective gear and lights to cyclists. Checkpoints will be at different spots, from Monday May 2, to Monday May 16, from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.

Travel Safe programme leader Karen Smith says cyclists' visibility to other road users, especially during times of low light and poor visibility, is essential to their safety.

Bike Wise and the police promote the use of front and rear lights and high visibility clothing in order to reduce risks to cyclists during low-light periods at dawn and dusk and in poor weather.

'Wearing bright, reflective and high-visibility clothing and using front and rear bike lights, are simple ways for cyclists to improve their visibility,” Karen says.

Be bright 2016 checkpoints will be held at the Harbour Bridge (city side) on May 2, between 4.30pm and 5.30pm; Matapihi Bridge on May 6, between 4.30pm and 5.30pm; Papamoa Beach Road near Sunrise Avenue on May 9, between 4.30pm and 5.30pm; Turrent Road on May 11, between 4.30pm and 5.30pm; Chapel Street Bridge (Otumoetai end) on May 13, between 4.30pm and 5.30pm; Cameron Road by the hospital on May 16, between 4.30pm and 5.30pm.

Dozens of cities and towns from around New Zealand, including Tauranga City and the Western Bay of Plenty, will focus on increasing cyclists' awareness about lighting up their bikes and wearing high-visibility clothing.

The ‘Be Bright' campaign for cyclists was launched in April 2016 to coincide with the end of daylight saving and will run until mid-June.

Tauranga/Western Bay of Plenty's Be Bright campaign will involve:

• Checkpoints at high traffic spots where the Travel Safe team will assess cyclists' reflective gear and lights. Riders who have adequate lights will be rewarded with safe reflective cycling gear such as backpack covers, cats eyes and ankle and arm bands.Cyclists who do not have adequate lights will be fitted with a set of lights.
• Surveyed cyclists will go in a draw to win $50 bike store vouchers.
• ACC Workplaces and Toi Te Ora Workwell will promote 'Be bright, Be safe, Be Seen – Safe cycling” with give-aways and safety messages to workplaces.
• Police will do a follow-up campaign encouraging cyclists to be safe and seen.