The four Dublin Local Authorities, An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority, and the Dublin Cycling Campaign call on users to ‘Light Up Your Bike’ during the darker commutes. Now that the clocks have gone back road users may be faced with darker commutes and those that cycle are reminded that the use of bike lights is a legal requirement when cycling during lighting up periods. If you choose to cycle without lights, or your lights fail when on the road, you become less visible and run the risk of a €40 fixed penalty notice.
The Light Up Your Bike initiative comes from the Dublin Cycling Campaign and promotes the legal requirement to have properly working bike lights and to use them during lighting up periods. The use of bike lights helps increase your visibility to other road users and there are many types and styles on the market to choose from. Most bike lights tend to be battery or dynamo operated. If using battery operated bike lights, rechargeable/non-rechargeable, it is important to remember that they may run out of power whilst on the commute. That’s why it is important to have a backup pair which you can easily attach to your bike in the event you require them to get you to your destination. It is also important to remember that bikes lights are not just for adults they are to be used by children and teenagers when cycling to school.
Cllr Mary Hanafin, An Cathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, said:
“I am delighted to take part in the launch of the ‘Light up your Bike’ initiative, along with colleagues from Dublin City Council, South Dublin County Council, Fingal County Council, An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority and the Dublin Cycling Campaign. This is an important safety campaign, particularly now with the darker evenings, and highlights how bike lights can be used as a simple but effective safety measure that will allow cyclists to be seen on the roads.”