Ottawa cyclists will be able to pick up free bike lights and reflective gear at the Corktown Footbridge as part of a new campaign urging riders to make themselves visible after dark.
The event, called Lights on Bikes, is a joint effort by the Ottawa Police Service, Safer Roads Ottawa, Ottawa Paramedic Services, Ottawa Fire Services and the National Capital Commission, according to an Ottawa Police Service news release issued Friday.
Organizers and community partners will hand out the lights and reflective items at the footbridge, located on the Rideau Canal western pathway, and will share tips on improving cyclist visibility and general road safety during early evening, nighttime and other low-light riding, the release said. No date or time for the event was given.
The campaign comes with a legal reminder for anyone who rides after dark: under Ontario law, cyclists are required to have a white light mounted on the front of their bike and a red light or reflector on the back at night.
The outreach lands at a time of year when evening commutes are increasingly dark, with nightfall arriving well before many riders make their way home from work or school in late October.
Lights on Bikes is one of several community events that Safer Roads Ottawa hosts or supports throughout the year to educate the public about road safety, the release noted.
Residents who want to dig into local road safety numbers can visit the police service's Community Safety Data portal at data.ottawapolice.ca, where the public can view, download and interact with data released by the service.
Police are also encouraging residents to register their information and security camera locations at CAMSafe.ca, a step they say can help support investigations and make the community safer.
Cyclists heading out in the meantime can check the provincial bicycle safety rules at ontario.ca, which set out the lighting and equipment requirements for riding at night.
