Light On!
Cyclists riding without lights after dark create a safety problem. Front and rear lights are required by state law, but many cyclists go without. Unlit cyclists reflect poorly on the image of all cyclists, and that makes it more difficult for SABA to advocate. We decided to something about these problems.
SABA established our annual Light On! program with our first giveaway in December, 2006. We purchased 150 bike headlights and taillights (with a retail value between $30 and $40) from The Rest Stop, and our volunteers set up shop at random locations after dark, armed with two small Light On! banners and a few simple tools to aid the light installations.
As riders passed by without lights, our volunteers flagged them down and took the opportunity to gather information and help educate them about safe riding. In exchange for the free lights and installation, the cyclists agreed to participate in a couple of surveys and read the Street Smarts booklet we provided.
In the years since, SABA has been proud to continue this program, giving away hundreds of lights and working with donors and volunteers alike to fill in the gaps for Sacramento’s still-too-common unlit riders.
SABA ’s Light On! program is modeled after a successful program, “Get Lit,” in Portland, Oregon . To get in on the fun and volunteer for Light On!, contact Larry Robinson via email at volunteer@sacbike.org or call 444-6600.
Last updated 2011-04-5 01:00:26 PM (EST). Please send corrections and revisions to our Webmaster.