City officials had to purchase the 250 front lights for approximately $6.50 each after a donation fell though.
“We had to make this event happen no matter what,” City of Tucson bike and pedestrian planner Jennifer Donofrio said. “It is really important for cyclists to be safe and visible at night. The city is willing to do whatever it takes.”
Chi Nakano attended the event to get a light for her bike.
“I usually wear a head lamp thing, but oftentimes I forget it,” Nakano said. “Having it on the bicycle helps.”
This year the city moved the event from Third Street and Treat Avenue to the Bike Church at Main and Sixth Street.
We wanted to pick a new location and the bike church is something that is an important part of the bike community,” Donofrio said. “It is a good symbol of bike safety so I thought it would be appropriate.”
Mallory Marks was excited to learn about the free bike lights because her light had stopped working.
“It would turn off if I over went over a bump,” Marks said.
Our hats off to the Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee. The Education and Outreach Subcommittee helped plan this BikeFest event and helped install the lights last night. Could not have done it with out them!
Our hats off to the Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee. The Education and Outreach Subcommittee helped plan this BikeFest event and helped install the lights last night. Could not have done it with out them!
I would have much rather seen this money go to buy lights or helmets for poor kids or something like that. From looking at the photos and reading about the cyclists quoted in the article, many of the people getting these free lights were adults who could and should have bought their own lights, seeing that it’s required by law. I agree that getting more people to use lights is important, though. Maybe next time, the city should work with local bike stores to offer discounts on lights and hand out coupons.
I would have much rather seen this money go to buy lights or helmets for poor kids or something like that. From looking at the photos and reading about the cyclists quoted in the article, many of the people getting these free lights were adults who could and should have bought their own lights, seeing that it’s required by law. I agree that getting more people to use lights is important, though. Maybe next time, the city should work with local bike stores to offer discounts on lights and hand out coupons.
Dave, I agree.
Dave, I agree.
Dave, I agree.
Dave, I agree.
Agreed–it seemed that the people who got these
lights could have afforded the $6.50.
But, they were the ones who showed up.
And the idea was to put lights on bikes that did
not have them.
The first light give-away was more sucessful
for kids bikes – -the weather this time was not as
good and the location could have been better.
Helmets for kids were given away at Cyclovia….
at Catalina and Manfield parks. There was a whole
bunch left over, which surprised me.
The helmets were fitted to the heads of the
recipients and the lights were attached to the
bikes, as best assurance for the intended use.
Coupons and discounts don’t do that exactly
and ‘free’ (gov’t subsidy) competes with what a
store is trying to sell.
We didn’t do an economic profile at these
give-aways.
There was a number people can call to claim
a free helmet from the remaining stock…maybe
that can get posted here. Or else I’m sure the
leftover lights and helmets will be given away
at some future events.
Agreed–it seemed that the people who got these
lights could have afforded the $6.50.
But, they were the ones who showed up.
And the idea was to put lights on bikes that did
not have them.
The first light give-away was more sucessful
for kids bikes – -the weather this time was not as
good and the location could have been better.
Helmets for kids were given away at Cyclovia….
at Catalina and Manfield parks. There was a whole
bunch left over, which surprised me.
The helmets were fitted to the heads of the
recipients and the lights were attached to the
bikes, as best assurance for the intended use.
Coupons and discounts don’t do that exactly
and ‘free’ (gov’t subsidy) competes with what a
store is trying to sell.
We didn’t do an economic profile at these
give-aways.
There was a number people can call to claim
a free helmet from the remaining stock…maybe
that can get posted here. Or else I’m sure the
leftover lights and helmets will be given away
at some future events.
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I can’t understand why they would give out front lights before tail lights. I also disagree with Dave. The fact is that lights are proven to work and helmets are not. Therefore, this initiative can bring real benefit to the community while a free helmet program would not.
I can’t understand why they would give out front lights before tail lights. I also disagree with Dave. The fact is that lights are proven to work and helmets are not. Therefore, this initiative can bring real benefit to the community while a free helmet program would not.
Taillights are not required by law; only a
reflector in the rear.
It’s a law that hasn’t
caught up with the times.
Taillights are not required by law; only a
reflector in the rear.
It’s a law that hasn’t
caught up with the times.