Burnham-On-Sea cyclists who are caught riding at night without lights face fixed penalty fines of up to £60, police have warned this week at the start of a new winter safety campaign.
The warning came as officers launched their winter-long ‘cycle safe’ campaign in Burnham, called Operation Glitter.
The scheme is being run by staff at Burnham Police Station during the autumn and winter with the intention of promoting safe cycling and reducing serious accidents.
Sgt Ian Kennett from Burnham Police told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Community safety is a key part of this operation. Cyclists without lights can be just as much a danger to others as they are to themselves. It is very hard to see them as the dark evenings draw in particularly if they don’t have lights and are wearing dark clothes. It isn’t safe.”
“I would like the public in the Burnham and Highbridge area to work with us to help avoid as many accidents as possible. We don’t want to fine people, we would prefer people to be safe and seen.”
He added that cyclists found without lights when it is dark face fixed penalty notices, however cyclists will be offered a 10% discount voucher redeemable against the purchase of cycle lights at participating shops.
If lights are then bought, the cyclist can then present their cycle at a police station with the receipt to have the ticket written off. Those who fail to do so within seven days will have to pay the fine.
Two adult cyclists who were stopped last year for failing to have any bicycle lights were later fined £125 each after they failed to purchase lights despite being given three opportunities and several warnings.
Sgt Kennett added: “By approaching this issue from a problem solving perspective, we are aiming to educate cyclists in relation to the offences they are committing by not displaying lights, promote bike security and most importantly bring their attention to how they are jeopardising their own personal safety and that of others whilst riding without lights and encourage them to buy the correct equipment.”
“It is also a timely reminder that it is an offence to ride on the pavements or the wrong way up the High Street. This issue has been raised regularly by the community at Have Your Say or PACT meetings. We will be enforcing the law and issuing fixed penalty tickets, which vary from £30 to £60, depending on which offence is committed.”
