Alex deVries fastens a free, working light to the bike of a passing cyclist as part of a campaign to promote cyclists’ visibility.
A campaign to increase cyclist visibility and reduce dangers on Ottawa roads during the dark winter months will target cyclists who disregard safety and the law.
The project, a partnership between Citizens for Safe Cycling and the City of Ottawa, aims to raise awareness about the dangers of cycling without lights at night by stopping passing cyclists and giving them free lights.
The first light handout was scheduled to take place near the Corktown Footbridge, a busy crossing that carries pedestrians and cyclists across the canal from the east end of Somerset Street West to the edge of the University of Ottawa campus.
On either side are paved multi-use pathways for cyclists, walkers and runners.
“We’re trying to target those people who otherwise wouldn’t buy a bike light,” says Alex deVries, vice-president of Citizens for Safe Cycling, a non-profit volunteer organization that advocates on behalf of cyclists in Ottawa.
DeVries started the campaign, which is partnered with the city’s Safer Roads Ottawa program.
The program aims to improve safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians on the city’s roads. The program reports to the city’s transportation committee, chaired by Kanata Coun. Marianne Wilkinson.
Wilkinson says police will be at the campaign, stopping lightless cyclists, who will either have to accept a ticket or take a free set of lights and a lesson on installation.
“I think most people will take the lights,” Wilkinson says. Cycling without lights can result in a $20 fine.
The initiative is not in direct response to the recent death of cyclist Krista Johnston, who was killed on the Bronson Avenue bridge on Oct. 18, but has actually been in the works for about six months, says deVries.
Each year, cyclists put themselves in danger by ignoring basic safety precautions such as lights, which become more and more important as dusk comes early.
Bike lights are mandatory by law for a reason, says Wilkinson. “It’s very, very dangerous. I don’t know if they realize how invisible they are,” she says.
Reflectors just aren’t enough, say both deVries and Wilkinson. They do not provide enough visibility to prevent accidents.
Approximately 200 sets of LED lights, each with a $30 value, will be given away free of charge to cyclists riding unlighted bicycles. As per the law, one light will be white for the front of the bike and the other will be red for the back.
These lights “are better than what most people currently have,” DeVries says. The paths along the canal are the property of the National Capital Commission.
Although the NCC is not partnered with the bike light campaign, the federal agency will “recognize and support” it, says Jean Charbonneau, NCC land manager.
The NCC has other safety initiatives in place, such as the Share the Path code of conduct. The use of lights is not included in these guidelines but the use of bells is.