Lighting the way: Free bike lights and reflective gear handed out by city council
SAFER RIDING: A cyclist receiving free reflective wear from Hull City Council last night. Image by Hull City Council
By Simon Bristow
Poorly illuminated cyclists are being given free bike lights and reflective gear in a new road safety project run by Hull City Council.
The ‘Bike Lights for Dark Nights’ initiative, funded by Safer Roads Humber, aims to reduce collisions on the roads by encouraging more cyclists to ride with lights and reflective wear.
Members of the council’s highways team will be out on the streets of Hull looking for cyclists who are not well illuminated, offering them lights and reflective wear to ensure they are safe and seen.
The project is already under way, with the team focusing on busy junctions in and around Hull city centre.
On Tuesday evening, 27 lights were handed out to passing cyclists on Beverley Road and fitted on the spot. Reflective rucksack covers were also given to those who needed them.
Councillor Mark Ieronimo, portfolio holder for roads, highways and transport, said: “Increasing numbers of people are choosing to cycle in our city, and we want to help them do so safely.
LIT UP: Cyclists with new lights provided and fitted by the council. Image by Hull City Council
“To make the roads safe for everyone during these dark nights, it is important that cyclists are as visible as possible. With this project, we are helping cyclists stay safe and seen on the roads.
“This is not about ‘catching people’ or ‘telling them off’ for not having lights. The help has been well received by all the people the team has talked to so far.”
As part of the initiative and the council’s ongoing “travel plan engagement”, the highways team will also be visiting some of the city’s largest employers, including Hull Royal Infirmary and the University of Hull, providing bike lights and reflective wear to help keep commuting cyclists safe on the roads.
Lights and reflective wear will also be donated to local cycling charity R-evolution, which will distribute the equipment through some of the cycle hubs it operates in the city.
The team will be out on the streets until the end of March, when the clocks go forward, and will begin again next autumn/winter. Travel plan engagement will continue throughout the year.
See the latest on cycle lighting regulations in this guide from Cycling UK.