Notice details

Cycling is a fun, affordable and healthy travel mode and a great way to travel all year round. With reduced daylight hours and autumn settling in, good lights and reflectors on bikes increase visibility of cyclists greatly to others.

To remind cyclists to put lights on their bikes, Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Travel Safe and NZ Police will start their annual Be Bright campaign. Checkpoints will be set up across the city between 14 and 21 May from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.

Travel Safe Team Leader, Karen Smith said cyclists’ visibility to other road users, especially during times of low light and poor visibility, is essential to their safety.

“Using front and rear bike lights and wearing bright, reflective and high-visibility clothing are simple ways for cyclists to improve their visibility,” said Ms Smith.

“The campaign involves checkpoints at high traffic spots where we will assess cyclists’ reflective gear and lights. Riders who have adequate lights will be rewarded with reflective cycling gear such as backpack covers, cat eyes and ankle and arm bands. Cyclists who do not have adequate lights will be fitted with a set of lights.”

Cities, towns and regions around New Zealand, including Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty, will focus on increasing cyclists’ awareness on how they can improve their visibility.

ACC and Toi Te Ora Public Health encourage workplaces to support active transport and physical activity by promoting the Be bright, Be Seen campaign as part of the WorkWell programme.

NZ Police will do a follow-up campaign encouraging cyclists to be safe and be seen.

Be Bright checkpoints

Find all Travel Safe programmes on our travelsafe page.