LIGHT ON!

The Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates Light On! Program is Putting Cyclists in a Good Light

Cyclists riding without lights after dark create a safety problem. Front 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. SABA decided to something about these problems.

In December 2006, the Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates (SABA) gave away 150 bike headlights (Planet Bike Beamer 5 LED) and taillights (Blinky 3 LED) with a retail value of $30-40, gathered information and educated cyclists. In return for receiving the lights, cyclists agreed to participate in an initial and a follow-up survey and read the Street Smarts booklet SABA gave them.

SABA purchased the light sets from The Rest Stop, two small Light On! banners and a few tools. SABA also purchased copies of the Street Smarts booklet. SABA volunteers hailed passing cyclists without lights and installed the headlights and taillights. A donation jar was available at distribution sites for any light recipients who wanted to help defray the costs.

Because we wanted the lights to go to people who need them, and not simply to people who wanted something for free, lights were distributed after dark at random locations with large numbers of cyclists. Teams of SABA volunteers also went on light rail trains to distribute and install lights.

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.