With the end of daylight saving and autumn settling in, cyclists are being reminded to stay safe by wearing high visibility gear while biking on the road.
The NZ Transport Agency and Police are joining forces in a bid to reduce cycling casualties.
Cyclist are being advised to make sure they are highly visible while out riding.
As a result, the two organisations are introducing a new pilot programme called Be Bright, which encourages cyclists to have suitable lights on their bikes and wear high-visibility clothing during low-light periods.
Access and Use general manager Celia Patrick says the campaign in running in Tauranga, Auckland, Wellington, Palmerston North and Nelson.
Tauranga's Be Bright campaign will involve checkpoints at key locations where Police will assess reflective gear and lights.
Cyclists with adequate lights will be rewarded with a vouches and cyclists without will be given a bike light so traffic can see them on the road.
Awareness signs and posters will be placed around the town as part of the campaign.
'One of the most important things cyclists can do to improve their own safety is to invest in high-visibility clothing and good quality front and rear lights.”
She says each town will run its own unique campaign which will involve a combination of media and 'on the ground” promotions.
The promotions will include roving police and Be Bright ambassadors, who will target cyclists on popular commuting routes, at cyclist checkpoints and popular bike events.
Celia says it's important for motorists to be on the lookout for cyclists.
'The combination of autumn weather conditions with decreasing daylight hours means all road users need to take extra care, especially around dusk, dawn and in weather when visibility is poor.”



4 comments
And Helmets!
Posted on 29-04-2012 08:52 | By quinn
May as well dish out some tickets to the idiot cyclists who blatantly ride without helmets as well.
Road rules
Posted on 29-04-2012 12:50 | By Accountable
Why don't they put a check point on Red Square and stop the dangerous actions of riders taking short cuts through there? Why they take short cuts to get fit seems contrary to the reasons they ride or do they ride because they have lost their car licences for frequent law breaking?They should also be made to stick to cycle lanes and not to overtake on the left or ignore red lights.If they drive their cars like they ride their bikes we are all in danger of them on the roads.The people I see being stupid would call themselves intelligent and considering the jobs the they hold most people would be of the same thoughts but sometimes I wonder if that is true.
the ones that p me off
Posted on 29-04-2012 20:23 | By Glen Clova
No helmets, no lights , riding through red lights, not wearing high viz clothing. give them a ticket
Dangerous drivers
Posted on 30-04-2012 12:57 | By waterboy
They should also give big fines for driving in cycle lanes and stopping in cycle lanes. Vechicle operators wanting cyclists to stay in our lanes should stay in theirs.
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