Civil Streets Initiative Provided Free Bicycle Lights

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct. 6, 2015

For more information, please contact:

Vince Caristo, Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, City of Bloomington Planning and Transportation Department, 812.349.3424

Shane Rasche, Bloomington Police Department, Sergeant, 812.349.4477

Alexa Lopez, Communications Director, City of Bloomington Office of the Mayor, 812.349.3406

Civil Streets Initiative Provided Free Bicycle Lights

Bloomington, Ind. - On Aug. 28, and Sept. 18, 2015 the Civil Streets Initiative provided free bicycle light sets to bicyclists riding at night without them. Recipients of the lights were also given information about bicycle safety and traffic laws.

The Civil Streets Initiative is a grant-funded, city sponsored program that aims to reduce unsafe behaviors by all types of road users. Other program goals include reducing frustrations between road users and reducing the number of bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities.

Civil Streets partnered with the Bloomington Police Department and the IU Police Department in putting together the Bike Light Night events. With the help of over thirty volunteers, over 140 lights sets were assembled and distributed this fall.

"Riding a bicycle at night without sufficient lighting and reflection can be very dangerous and is a ticketable offense," said Sergeant Rasche of the Bloomington Police Department. "We were happy to be a part of this effort which better equipped cyclists to ride safely."

The unannounced giveaway took place at high bicycle traffic locations in the city of Bloomington that were chosen with the help of the BPD and IUPD. These bike light distribution stations were manned after nightfall by an officer and a group of volunteers. Cyclists who rode through these areas were stopped and asked if they wanted free light sets. The lights were attached to the bicycles on the spot so they could immediately be practicing safer road use.

More information about bicycle safety and the Civil Streets campaign can be obtained from the City's website at bloomington.in.gov/bike or by calling Vince Caristo, Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator at 812.349.3424.

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