Cyclists offered bicycle lights as police launch new road safety campaign in Edinburgh

Motorists and other road users also urged to #LightUp to make sure they are visible in winter months

POLICE will be handing out bicycle lights to cyclists in Edinburgh tomorrow as part of a national road safety campaign to highlight the importance of all road users being seen during the winter months.

The #Light Up campaign will highlight what the law requires and the penalties for failing to comply.

It will also encourage motorists to #LightUp so their vehicles are clearly visible to other road users and they are prepared for winter conditions.

The #LightUp campaign aims to educate all road users about their respective responsibilities.

Police Scotland is working with specialist law firm Cycle Law Scotland and they will be joined by representatives from bus and haulage firms at a series of events across the country this week, aiming to educate all road users about their respective responsibilities.

The Edinburgh event tomorrow (November 26) in the pedestrianised area of Castle Street from 4pm to 6pm will see cyclists being given a pack of front and rear bicycle lights. It will be attended by Lothian Buses, Police Scotland Road Policing Unit, an HGV cab from Pollocks Transport and Cycle Law Scotland will have a marquee.

Police say from a cycling perspective, the law states that when on your bicycle between sunset and sunrise, it must be fitted with the following;

1. White front light

2. Red rear light

3. Red rear reflector

4. Amber/yellow pedal reflectors

Failure to comply with these regulations can result in a Fixed Penalty Notice for £50. It is considered in the same category as cycling the wrong way down a one-way street or jumping a red light.

Sergeant Dominic Doyle, from Police Scotland’s Road Policing Division said: “This campaign provides us with a good opportunity to speak to members of the public who use the road network and to highlight our respective responsibilities. Being easily visible to others, and being alert to other road users, whether you are a cyclist, pedestrian or driver, goes a long way to improving road safety.

“The majority of us will use several different modes of transport and so it is important to break down the ‘them and us’ mentality’ and instead, all work together to promote road safety.”

Jodi Gordon, Partner at Cycle Law Scotland said: “We are delighted to be part of this important road safety campaign because on a daily basis we see the consequences of road traffic collisions between vulnerable road users and vehicles. Anything we can do to help educate road users and promote the legal requirement to #LightUp in order to see and be seen has got to be a good thing.”