Shining lights on bikes for Toronto cyclists in dark

Many staff members and volunteers would be setting up stations around the downtown core.

They would track people biking without lights and hand over to them free front and back lights with a copy of the Toronto Cyclists Handbook containing rules to see and to be seen while cycling in the dark.

This campaign would be conducted every Tuesday during the month of October because it is during this month that the days start to get shorter.

The first event was held in 2011 and cyclists had shown good response.

“We want to encourage people to keep riding even as the light fades, but it’s really important that everyone does their bit to stay safe on the road,” Cycle Toronto’s executive director Jared Kolb said in a statement. “Lights help riders to see and be seen, and we want to be sure cyclists continue enjoying their ride while also staying safe.”

“Especially when the seasons change from summer to fall, it does become a pretty important issue, where people are perhaps riding either when it’s darker than they would have in the past in the morning or later into the night . . . But it is a very important safety issue to make sure that people are well-lit and seen by other road users,” Kolb said.

Mark Romeril, Cycle Toronto membership and ward advocacy manager had witnessed bicyclists without proper lights during early mornings and late evenings.

“I think it’s a really effective way to get out to people who might not be engaged with cycling with something that’s a lifestyle,” Romeril said. “It’s going to reach out to people who are just using their bike because it’s the option of them at the moment, and beyond.”

Highway Traffic Act states that any cyclist riding the bicycle while it is dark, specially half an hour before sunset to half an hour after sunrise must have a white or amber light on the front and a red light or reflector on the rear of their cycles. Anyone found to violate this law would be fined $110. This law did not apply to unicyclists.

According to plans, Get Lit! stations will be set up at the following locations from around 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.:

Oct. 4: Art Gallery of Ontario, Beverly St. and Dundas St. W.

Oct: 11: Boulton Drive Parkette, Boulton Dr. near Poplar Plains

Oct. 18: Castle Frank subway station

Oct. 24: Toronto Public Library, College St. and Shaw St.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)