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The city of London police, working with the City of London Corporation, will be giving away cycle lights instead of penalty notices to cyclists without lights on Monday October 31st and Tuesday November 1st.
Reports produced by the London police force show that each year, a sizeable percentage of cyclists who are used to cycling home in sunlight get caught out when the clocks go back, with no reflective gear or bike lights.
"The City of London Corporation is working hard to improve the safety of cycle commuters in the Square Mile. We want to encourage safe cycling and having working lights on a bicycle at night is both a legal requirement and crucial to safety.
“I hope to see all the City’s cyclists lit up brightly over the coming winter months,” said Chris Hayward, chairman of the planning and transportation committee at the City of London Corporation.
The Road Danger Reduction Partnership (City of London Corporation, City Police, London Fire Brigade, GLA and TfL) aims to protect cycle commuters and are supporting this action to give them cycle lights to better help them be seen by other road users.
On Monday October 31st, officers and PCSOs will support the event between 4:30pm and 6:30pm on the cycle superhighway by Blackfriars Bridge.
The City of London cadet unit will be handing out lights between 5pm and 9pm on Tuesday November 1st close to the junction of Moorgate and Ropemaker Street.
Following this action, cyclists who do receive a ticket for riding without lights can have it retracted if they attend a cycling safety lecture as part of Operation Atrium, which runs monthly.
London police chief inspector McKoy, commented: “Road safety is a key priority for the City of London Police. This is a great initiative that will aid safer travel for cyclists.
“As the clocks change and nights draw in, it is imperative that cyclists are seen at night. I would encourage all cyclists to come along on Monday October 31st and Tuesday November 1st."
