dlr Asks Cyclists To ‘Light up Your Bike’ This Winter

n Cathaoirleach Lettie McCarthy, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, said:

It gives me great pleasure to be attending this very important launch of the Light Up Your Bike initiative with my colleagues from the other Dublin Authorities and representative from An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority, and the Dublin Cycling Campaign. This is a hugely important safety campaign, particularly now with the darker evenings, and highlights how lights can be used are a simple but effective safety measure that will allow cyclists to be seen on the roads.

Now that the clocks have gone back and road users may be faced with darker conditions, 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 use of bike lights helps to 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 back-up pair which you can easily attach to your bike in the event you require them to get you to your destination.

Kevin Baker, Chair of Dublin Cycling Campaign, said: “I am delighted that the four Dublin Local Authorities, An Garda Síochána, and RSA, have come together to support the ‘Light up Your Bike’ initiative. Using good quality lights on your bike is the best way to improve your visibility to other road users during darker mornings and evenings. Bike lights are a legal requirement during lighting-up hours, which is from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.”