Cycling PEI recommends daytime running lights for bicycles
Cycling PEI is urging that daytime running lights be mandatory for cyclists on the island province. Executive director Mike Connolly believes that the lights would make cyclists more visible during the day and thus safer.
In a recent meeting with Prince Edward Island’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, Cycling PEI made the recommendation that flashing, white lights for daytime cycling be written into law. PEI’s Highway Traffic Act already has a law requiring all cyclists to run a white light and a red flashing light at night.
Connolly explained, “The number-one priority for cyclists is to be visible and the flashing, white light will help. We strongly recommend for cyclists’ own safety that they adopt the white light, especially for daytime running.”
The safety director of PEI’s Department of Highways, Graham Miner, told CBC that Connolly’s recommendation is “an interesting, and probably not a bad idea. The possibility of maybe having a little flashing light just to catch your attention as a motorist might be quite a good idea to use. It is under review.”
On September 1 Ontario legislation making daytime running lights mandatory for cyclists any time half an hour before sunset to half an hour after sunrise went into effect.
A 2004-2005 Danish study using two control groups–one of cyclists with daylight running lights and one without–found that multiparty accidents leading to bicyclists’ injuries decreased by 19% with the use of lights.
