The Dublin Cycling Campaign, supported by the Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority, is reminding Dubliners to light up their bikes.
The annual awareness initiative reminds cyclists of the legal requirement to light up with a red rear and white or yellow front light during lighting-up hours, which runs from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. People who do not could risk a €40 on-the-spot fine.
As happens every year, volunteers from the Dublin Cycling Campaign will hand out free sets of bike lights at a number of locations around the city in the next few weeks. This will start tomorrow at the Donnybrook Greenway between 4-5pm, with further times and locations to be shared on the campaign’s social media channels.
Lord Mayor of Dublin, James Geoghegan, who cycles and is due to launch the initiative tomorrow, said: “Cycling is such a great way to get around the city, but as the winter closes in, it’s so important that cyclists light up. So if you’re taking to the roads on two wheels, please check that your lights are working properly.”
Una Morrison, chairperson of the Dublin Cycling Campaign, said, ‘’We are delighted to support this initiative. We encourage all cyclists to ensure check their bike lights are working and maximise their visibility during the darker autumn and winter months. Cyclists must play their part.”
She added: “We also encourage all road users to increase vigilance of more vulnerable road users at low visibility times like dusk and dawn to ensure all our journeys are as safe and enjoyable as possible.’’
Lucy Hayes, Dublin City Council’s walking and cycling officer, said: ‘’Dublin City Council is keen to support cycling as a year-round fun and safe active travel option. It’s essential that along with the improved infrastructure and greenways for safer and more accessible cycling, cyclists must make sure they light up their bikes, both for each other and for other road users, as the darker evenings and mornings close in’’.
How come it’s only dubs need to light their bikes?
It’s run by the Dublin Cycling Campaign. It is a national issue alright but not a national group organising it
Local groups affiliated to The Irish Cycling Campaign also run their own light-up-your-bike campaigns with emergency light sets supplied by NTA or RSA. Dublin Cycling Campaign is just one of many to do so.