Police Offer Free Bike Lights

From the City of Temple Terrace:

The Temple Terrace Police Department is offering free light kits as part of its new Bicycle Safety Initiative.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) provided the department with 300 bicycle light kits to give away to the public. Each kit includes an LED headlight and taillight that can be affixed to a bicycle.

The focus of the program is to prevent accidents and educate the public on bicycle safety laws by providing lights to riders whose bicycles are not properly equipped, said police Capt. Mike Pridemore.

Florida Statute 316.2065(8) states that a bicycle operated between sunset and sunrise must be equipped with a lamp on the front, exhibiting a white light visible from 500 feet, and both a red reflector and a lamp on the rear, exhibiting a red light visible from 600 feet. More than half of all fatal bicycle crashes in Florida occur after sunset, even though most cycling is done during daylight hours, Pridemore said.

Temple Terrace police officers will be stopping cyclists who are observed riding without the proper lights and reflectors, and providing them with the free safety lights from FDOT. Officers will even assist with installation, if necessary.

“Our goal is to enhance the safety of the many cyclists who travel throughout Temple Terrace,” Pridemore said. “This can be accomplished by enforcement and education. Education is the focus of this initiative.”

For more information regarding bicycle safety laws, visit the FDOT website.