Make sure you've got lights on your bike
POLICE in Burnham-on-Sea, Highbridge and Cheddar are launching a campaign to promote road safety to cyclists.
Operation Glitter launches today and is aimed at reducing the amount of serious road traffic collisions occurring because bicycles are not properly lit.
As part of the scheme, people found without lights on their bikes will be given a fixed penalty notice and a Glitter pack.
The pack contains a 10 per cent discount voucher for bicycle lights from local firms Skid Marx in Highbridge and the Cheddar Auto Parts.
If the recipients of the FPN buy bicycle lights and provide the receipt at either Burnham or Cheddar Police station within seven days, the ticket will be written off.
PCSO Pearl Hine said: "At this time of year, people often go out in the dark each morning and come home in the dark at night – meaning it is essential they have proper bicycle lighting.
"It is not just children riding their bicycles to and from school but adults who ride to work as well.
"Operation Glitter focuses on educating cyclists on their safety and the safety of others but it is optional to participate.
"If offenders choose not to take part, then they will be prosecuted."
She continued: "Last year, 86 people were identified as cycling without appropriate lighting, 79 of which elected to participate in the scheme. Only seven chose not to.
" I have seen many incidents where people have suffered injuries in collisions because they can't be seen on our roads. If people are not properly lit they are taking their lives in their own hands."
The Glitter packs also include leaflets advising riders on security marking and cycle maintenance.
12 Comments
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by GingerRog, Bristol
Sunday, November 02 2008, 8:27AM
“Alex, Isle of NoGlitter, Shelly
I am pedalling over to the Forum with the RAT I have collected today :-(”
by GingerRog, Bristol
Sunday, November 02 2008, 8:24AM
“Shelly, Bristol
What a MICE idea :D
Perhaps, the hire a bike firm could give away a glitter shaker with each bike to spread a bit of sparkle over Bristol.
That is assuming, of course, that when you go back to collect your bike from the stand, your glitter shaker has not gone AWOL along with your bike!!
Glitter on pedals, glitter on shoes ~ then we can all see the bikes coming at us :-)
Dare I say, and when we are walking on the pavement too!!”
by GingerRog, Bristol
Sunday, November 02 2008, 8:14AM
“Steve, Isle of Nod
Were they river rats, fat rats, thin rats, long rats, short rats ~ and did the rats have their little headlights on? :-)”
by Shelly, Bristol
Saturday, November 01 2008, 11:45PM
“I want a glitter pack too. It's not fair!
What else do you suppose is in a glitter pack. My vote would be for a bike mountable glitter shaker so you can spread a little bit of magic as you pedal. My how you'd sparkle as the glitter shimmered in those shiny new bike lights (sigh!)”
by GingerRog, Bristol
Saturday, November 01 2008, 4:24PM
“I also think that the young ladies pushing their babies and toddlers around in a pram or a buggy should also have some form of lighting.
A young lady and baby squeezed between two cars and walked out right in front of me last night when I was out on my broomstick ~ I was in my car really!!
@The Northsider, Gas Lane
I don't think it is possible to issue anything but a non endorsable FPN as cyclists do not need a Driving Licence.
Alex, Isle of LittleLights
This box is TINY ~ the comments box is HUGE ~ doesn't seem very logical does it?!”
by TheNorthsider, Gas LAne
Saturday, November 01 2008, 2:55PM
“I may be wrong but....i think the only thing a cyclist can be given is a non endorsable fixed penalty fine”
by Steve, Isle of Light and sometimes dark.
Saturday, November 01 2008, 2:27PM
“## I am in need of enlightenment ##
The 86 identified as having inappropriate lighting ~ what happened after being caught? ~ Were their cycles confiscated? Did the riders push their bikes home? Did they receive a two police car escort? Perhaps the police should take the bikes and only give them back to the owner after sun set when the owner appears with appropriate lighting. The one caught with the pumpkin and two lit candles jammed on to the back seat of his tandem needs a prize for ingenuity.
P.S. Aren't these boxes small?”
by Mike B, Bristol
Saturday, November 01 2008, 1:23PM
“Quote from article ... "People found without lights on their bikes will be given a fixed penalty notice and a Glitter pack" . . . :-( Do'h, how can you give a fixed-penalty-notice to someone with no form of registration on their bike. They just give a false name, they are not traceable . . . but the funniest thing is they get a 10% discount voucher . . for doing something illegal . . laughable or what :D”
by GingerRog, Bristol
Saturday, November 01 2008, 1:06PM
“Common sense should tell a cylist to have the appropriate lights on his bike ~ without having to be slapped with a FPN and a free Glitter pack.
No wonder the Police are stretched to the limit and may not have time to attend to a minor offence!!”
by Alex, Bristol
Saturday, November 01 2008, 12:37PM
“Why do the police have to wait until someone offends before giving vouchers and advice. It's not the way to encourage safe cycling, now is it?”