Castlebar - County Mayo - Operation Bicycle Light

An Garda Siochána and Road Safety Mayo County Council launched Operation Bicycle Light on Friday 30th October in a bid to reduce the alarming number of collisions involving cyclists, pedestrians with motor vehicles.

Operation Bicycle Light. Operation Bicycle Light is designed to improve safety in rural and urban areas and educate vulnerable road-users of the need to be seen in order to be safe on Irish roads.Vulnerable road-users include Pedal Cyclists, Pedestrians and Motor Cycle users. Garda Brian Cosgrove from Swinford Garda Station distributes high Visibility vests to cyclist Louise McDonnell from Swinford, Co.Mayo.Pic: Michael Mc Laughlin

A Garda check point was set up and cyclists who are not wearing reflective clothing will be given Hi Vis jackets to make them more visible to other road users.

To-date in 2009 some 33 pedal cyclists and pedestrians have been killed on Irish roads.

Cyclists should make themselves visible to other vehicles on the road by wearing fluorescent and reflective clothing. Ensure the lights are working before every journey. It is an offence to cycle at night without a white front light, a red backlight and red reflector at the back.

Pedestrians and cyclists are particularly vulnerable road users. They need to make sure you can be seen clearly in dark conditions and bad weather. Try to make sure you and your children wear fluorescent clothing for the daytime and reflective clothing at night for maximum visibility. When using a bike make sure that it has lights fitted to the front and rear so other traffic can see you.

Inspector Barry Foley Swinford Garda station said "Motorists have been advised to drive with extra care at a time of the year that see a lot people taking to the road for exercise. For safety reasons, motorists are also advised to turn on dipped headlights to improve visibility while driving in day time hours. Cyclists and Pedestrians are advised to take heed of traffic while crossing the roads, particularly at busy junctions or when their view is obstructed."

Operation bicycle will demonstrate the importance of integrating multi-agencies, advertising and the media to deliver a strong road safety message to save lives.

"This operation has been designed to target our most vulnerable road users," Noel Gibbons Road Safety Officer said. "Too many people think 'It won't happen to me' when they run across the road or ride their bike with no lights. The reality is, however, that it does happen every day and unfortunately a car is going to come off much better than the pedestrian or cyclist it hits."

Operation Bicycle Light. Operation Bicycle Light is designed to improve safety in rural and urban areas and educate vulnerable road-users of the need to be seen in order to be safe on Irish roads.Vulnerable road-users include Pedal Cyclists, Pedestrians and Motor Cycle users. Garda Noel Crinnegan from ballina breath tests Kim OMalley from Ballina,Co.Mayo. Gardai while operating a Mandatory Alcohol Testing Checkpoint (MAT) at Swinford continue to breath test drivers daily as we run up to the christmas campaign.Pic: Michael Mc Laughlin