Cyclists are being encouraged to be bright sparks while on the road to combat reduced daylight hours and wet weather.

And as low-light conditions take hold, the annual Be Bright campaign - a friendly reminder to riders to put lights on their bikes and wear high-visibility, reflective clothes - starts today.

Tauranga City Council road corridor advisor Bruce Galloway and communications advisor Viktoria Ermes are prepared for the Be Bright campaign. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

The project is a collaboration between Bike Wise, Travel Safe, Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and NZ Police. It was launched in April 2012 to coincide with the end of daylight saving and will run until the end of June.

The campaign involves checkpoints, where Travel Safe representatives will assess and provide reflective gear and lights to cyclists.

Checkpoints will be at different spots across the city from today through to May 4 between 4.30pm- 5.30pm. Today's will see officials set up at the Harbour Bridge on the city side before they move to Matapihi Bridge on Tuesday.

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 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 conditions.

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

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 Avantiplus Cateye Volt 300 front lights, valued at $89.99.

ACC Workplaces and Toi Te Ora Workwell will promote 'Be bright, Be safe, Be Seen – Safe cycling” with give-aways and safety messages.

Police will do a follow-up campaign encouraging cyclists to be safe and seen.

Dates for checkpoints: