Free bicycle lights — described as being suitable as backup lights — are being handed out by volunteers in different locations around Ireland in the coming weeks, including Dublin, Cork, and Dundalk this week.
It’s part of an annual awareness initiative to remind cyclists of the legal requirement to light up. Road traffic law outlights that a bicycle must have 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 do so risk a €40 on-the-spot fine.
The free lights have been distributed around Ireland by the National Transport Authority and the Road Safety Authority and are mainly being handed out by local cycling campaigns.
In Dublin City, the Dublin Cycling Campaign will be handing out lights at the following locations in the coming weeks:
- 5pm to 6.30pm on Tuesday, November 5th, at Rathmines Bridge/Portobello.
- 5pm to 6.30pm on Tuesday, November 12th, at Grand Canal Basin/Ringsend Road.
- 5pm to 6.30pm on Tuesday, November 19th, at Beckett Bridge (northside).
- 5pm to 6.30pm on Tuesday, November 26th, at the Five Lamps junction.
In Cork, the Cork Cycling Campaign will hand out bicycle lights this week at 5pm on Monday, November 4th at the Michael Collins Statue in Grand Parade.
In Dundalk, the bicycle light handout is planned for 3.30pm to 5.00pm on Wednesday, November 6th, near the entrance to O’Fiaich College and DKIT on Hoey’s Lane. It is being organised by the Louth County Council’s Road Safety Officer, local community Garda, the Dundalk Cycling Alliance, the Louth Disability Cycling Club, and Cyclopath Mobile Bicycle Repairs.