If you or someone you love are currently riding after dark without a front and rear flashing light you should really get yourself some. Flashing LED’s are essential for making you more visible to other road users when riding around the city. Even though streetlights make it seem as though a headlight is unnecessary to light your way, it can be difficult for drivers – even the undistracted ones – to see you until they are right on top of you. Do your part to make the roads more safe for cycling – get some lights.
From RI State Law:
§ 31-19-10 Lamps and other equipment on bicycles.
a) Front lamp. Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet (500′) to the front.
b) Rear reflector. Every bicycle shall be equipped with a red reflector of a type approved by the division of motor vehicles which shall be visible for six hundred feet (600′) to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet (500′) to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.
For those of you on a limited budget, RIBIKE – in partnership with Planet Bike – is promoting nighttime bicycle safety with Light Up the Night. Tonight from 5-7pm, RIBIKE volunteers will be installing Planet Bike LED light sets at two locations in Providence: Wickenden Street at Benefit and College Street at Market Square. Bring us your dark bike and we will light it up FREE! If you miss us tonight, similar lights can be found at your neighborhood bike shops at all levels to fit your budget.
In the future, we hope to expand this event to other neighborhoods in Providence and to surrounding towns throughout the State. As this is our first run at this, we have limited it to the East Side. Interested in getting your neighborhood Lit Up? Contact Jack@legendbicycle.com .