Be Safe…Be Seen
Make it your New Year’s resolution to light up the night while you are riding your bike! We applaud all of you that have continued to ride your bike for commuting through the shorter and colder days of fall and winter. But we’ve also noticed that not everyone is being safe by being seen! Drivers certainly need to be extra alert during this time of year, but it is also the cyclist’s job to make sure that he or she is easily seen.
How can you do this?
Start by having lights on the front and back of your bicycle. In New Jersey it is the law that when riding at night every bicycle must be equipped with a front headlamp emitting a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and a rear lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the rear.
Next, be seen with reflective clothing and accessories—wearing light colored clothing isn’t enough. Reflective materials are far more visible at night because they don’t absorb the light but reflect it back. Place reflective tape on your helmet and/or directly on your bike. Wear reflective jackets, vests and pant straps. Reflective materials on moving parts, such as your ankle or knee, have been shown to be particularly helpful in increasing visibility.
GMTMA wants to help you be safe and seen while you are riding. We have reflective ankle bands that we can provide to you for free. If you need a reflective band, email us at tma@gmtma.org . Bands can be picked up at our office or mailed.
Wishing you fun and safe cycling in 2014!