Bicycle Network: Support & Promote

What is the problem?

• Research shows that more than a third of bike riders on the road at night do not have regulation front and rear lights.

What are the facts?

• As many as 25% of bicycle trips occur after 6pm.
• During winter most of the commuter trips and half of all trips will require working bike lights.
• Fatalities in night time or semi darkness often involve riders without lights or with inadequate lighting.

• A 2006 study suggests that fewer than a quarter of bicycle collisions occur during dusk, dawn and darkness. The injuries sustained in these collisions are more severe than those in daylight.
• Traffic regulations require a flashing or steady white light (front) red light (rear) that is clearly visible for at least 200m from the bicycle.

What are the penalties?

Penalties for riding a bicycle a night without lights around Australia have risen in most states and riders caught without lights can be up for as much as $160. It costs $70 to buy the recommended lights so in most states it is cheaper to get the lights than pay the fine. But in Queensland and the Northern Territory it is ‘cheaper’ to risk the fine. These governments need to reconsider their penalties.

Recommended lights

Each year as part of Light Up! the Bicycle Network runs a test in conjunction with Choice magazine to find the best value lights that meet the road rules.
The test results can be seen at bikeslightup.com.au. This year the recommendation is:

• Front light: Basta Polaris BAC3 RRP $39.95
• Rear light: Tioga Big Eye RRP $30

Follow the national Light Up! campaign

This is the home page of the campaign

This page can also be reached through bikeslightup.com.au