Evanston offers free bike lights

From City of Evanston website:

In an effort to promote bicycle safety in Evanston, on Thursday, October 30, the City of Evanston will hold the “Pedal Bright” Bike Light Giveaway and Installation event.

The exciting initiative will provide bicycle safety information and help cyclists increase the visibility of their bikes as the days get shorter during the fall and winter months. Teams of volunteers will install 400 free bicycle lights, distribute city bike maps, and provide a quick tutorial on the rules of the road for bicyclists. Bicycle lights will be installed on Thursday, October 30, from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., at two Evanston locations:

• Robert Crown Center, 1701 Main St. 
• The Weber Arch at Northwestern University, Chicago Ave. and Sheridan Rd.

The morning and afternoon hours are often peak times for bicycle traffic on local roadways. Later sunrises and earlier sunsets make visibility especially important for bicycle commuters and recreational cyclists alike. Bicyclists in need of lights are encouraged to have a light installed at one of the locations. Lights will only be installed on bicycles without lights; lights will not be handed out to individuals without bikes.

Illinois law requires that every bicycle when in use at nighttime be equipped with a front lamp capable of emitting a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet, and a red reflector on the rear visible from 100 to 600 feet. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to a red reflector.

This event is sponsored by the City of Evanston, Northwestern University, the Evanston Bike Club, Wheel & Sprocket, Downtown Evanston, Active Transportation Alliance, Roycemore School and The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices.

For more information about the event, please contact Cindy Plante at 847-448-4311 or cplante@cityofevanston.org.