Members of the news media are invited to see the lights in action in front of City Hall at 435 Ryman St. and visit with Mayor Engen; devoted cyclists Chief Administrative Officer Bruce Bender and City Attorney Jim Nugent; City Council members Jason Wiener of Ward 1 and Marilyn Marler of Ward 6; and Jim Sayer, executive director of Adventure Cycling.
During the City Council meeting, City staff members and Sayer will give a brief presentation about the promotion, which asks bicyclists to Be Bright! Use a Light!
Here’s how the initiative works: Police officers will have light sets in their cars while they’re out patrolling in the evenings. When they pull over cyclists who are riding dark, they’ll have the option of giving the cyclists light sets. They may or may not waive the tickets. And if time permits, they may help the cyclists install the lights. During the past two winters of the promotion, officers have enjoyed the opportunity for positive interactions with bicyclists n and many chances to save lives and prevent injuries.
“This program is another great example of the City working together with other organizations and the community to promote cycling safety,” Mayor Engen said. “We think bike lights save lives. And we know the police see this every day. We’re happy to give them the tools to keep people safe. If we prevent even one tragedy, it’s worth the effort.”
The bike lights will be distributed only through police officers as part of their educational and enforcement efforts. They will not be available at City Hall.
The light promotion began in fall of 2006 after the October death of a teenage bicyclist in a collision at night galvanized city and county staff members. At the Bike/Walk Summit convened by local citizens and businesses shortly after the accident, Mayor Engen learned about a police department light promotion in Portland and committed to creating a Mayor’s Office-promoted effort in Missoula.
Sayer is board chairman and a founder of Bike/Walk Alliance for Missoula, a nonprofit that promotes and enhances bicycling and walking and also grew from the Bike/Walk Summit.
“We’re all trying to make it safer and easier for people to get around on bikes all year-round,” Sayer said.
Each fall when evenings get darker, Missoula’s Bicycle/Pedestrian Program and the Police Department make an extra effort to promote bicycle lights for safety. Beginning last month, Bicycle/Pedestrian Program staff worked to remind bicyclists of the importance of lights and the ticket that comes with a traffic stop for riding dark.
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stupidisstupiddoes wrote on Nov 16, 2008 11:34 AM:
" There is one of the most stupid programs I've ever heard of in a long long time.
Why don't the police carry around car headlights and hand them out to cars with broken ones. Or how about safty belts for people driving around with none.
And since when do you have to educate the public about using a light at night, what's next ? telling them to wear a coat when its cold, maybe the police should hand coats and scarfs too, like they don't have enough to do.
I ride my bike everywhere, and I don't think it takes more than a second grade education to know not to ride under hazard or dangerous situations, like riding down the middle of the street and riding at night - If you get hit by car, it's you own fault for being stupid.
Perhaps the mayor can have the police hand out certificates of stupidity to thoses riding bikes in the street at night - light or no light.
And on second thought, when are they going to outlaw those baby bike trailers people use to haul their kids around in - in the STREET. GEEZ how dumb can some people be. It's only a matter of time before some litte kid gets killed - and then they'll blame it on the poor driver, who I'll feel sorry for. "
Why don't the police carry around car headlights and hand them out to cars with broken ones. Or how about safty belts for people driving around with none.
And since when do you have to educate the public about using a light at night, what's next ? telling them to wear a coat when its cold, maybe the police should hand coats and scarfs too, like they don't have enough to do.
I ride my bike everywhere, and I don't think it takes more than a second grade education to know not to ride under hazard or dangerous situations, like riding down the middle of the street and riding at night - If you get hit by car, it's you own fault for being stupid.
Perhaps the mayor can have the police hand out certificates of stupidity to thoses riding bikes in the street at night - light or no light.
And on second thought, when are they going to outlaw those baby bike trailers people use to haul their kids around in - in the STREET. GEEZ how dumb can some people be. It's only a matter of time before some litte kid gets killed - and then they'll blame it on the poor driver, who I'll feel sorry for. "
Fred Garvin wrote on Nov 16, 2008 1:01 PM:
" Too many times have I rolled down my window and yelled at some cyclist that not only provked me, but I had no real way of even spotting him/her after dark until it was almost too late. Missoula has more than their fare share of cyclists that will continue to provoke automobile drivers because they are trying to prove some point instead of getting decent lights for their "vehicle" that needs to be treated just an automobile. "
John Smith wrote on Nov 16, 2008 9:56 AM: