Free bike lights at five Brighton and Hove rush-hour spots next week, council says

Brighton & Hove City Council is handing out free bike lights, reflective stickers and hi-vis rucksack covers at five rush-hour spots across the city next week. In a news release on 23 October, the council said road safety officers will be out from about 4:45pm to 6:30pm, Monday 26 to Friday 30 October, speaking to people who cycle, walk and wheel.

The clocks go back on Sunday 25 October, so the evenings get darker. The council says it wants everyone to take extra care on the roads and to make sure they can be seen.

Where the road safety officers will be

Each session runs from around 4:45pm until 6:30pm.

Monday 26 October. St Peter’s Church area, Brighton.

Tuesday 27 October. Church Road, Hove, near Grand Avenue.

Wednesday 28 October. Preston Park South.

Thursday 29 October. The Highway junction with Lewes Road.

Friday 30 October. Aquarium junction, near Madeira Drive.

The same five locations were used for the council’s be bright and be seen week last year.

What officers are handing out and checking

Officers will be offering practical safety advice and free visibility items, including temporary bike lights, reflective stickers and hi-vis rucksack covers.

They are working with colleagues from Sussex Police and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. The council says they will encourage cyclists to check that their lights are working properly, and remind everyone that being visible matters most in the autumn and winter months.

The council asks drivers to take extra care too, and to be aware that vulnerable road users can be harder to spot in low light.

What the Highway Code says

The council points out that the Highway Code requires a front white light and a rear red light on a bike after dark. It also recommends that anyone walking or wheeling after dark wears reflective or bright clothing. The cyclist rules, including Rule 60 on lights and reflectors, are on the government’s Highway Code pages.

The council’s message

“As the evenings become darker, it’s important that all of us take simple steps to help keep ourselves and others safe.

“Whether you’re walking, wheeling, cycling, travelling by public transport or driving, being alert and making yourself visible can make a real difference.

“We’re continuing to invest in safer streets and better infrastructure across Brighton & Hove, with improvements to crossings, pavements, junctions and cycling routes helping people travel around the city with greater confidence.

“But road safety is everyone’s responsibility. By taking a few extra precautions this winter and looking out for one another, we can all help make our roads safer.”

Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport and City Infrastructure

Cycle route work around the city

The council says the campaign comes as it keeps investing in safer, more accessible active travel. Last week it officially opened phase 3 of the Valley Gardens scheme, with a new cycle lane, better junctions and more space for pedestrians. We covered that in Valley Gardens 3 Opens in Brighton: £12.8m Old Steine Scheme Complete.

Work is also under way on the A259 Active Travel Scheme between Hove and Portslade, which we reported in A259 Hove to Portslade Active Travel Scheme: Construction to Start at Fourth Avenue. The council is also consulting on extending the scheme between Hove and West Street in Brighton, with the details in A259 Hove to Brighton Cycle Lane Plans: Survey, Drawings and Drop-in Dates.