A survey conducted among respondents identified the most dangerous cycling situation on the road as cycling in the dark, with no lights or reflectors. Police officers, traffic safety experts, and the cycling community admit that such situations are still too common. The survey also revealed that half of the country’s population is at least once in the dark at night when it comes to avoiding a collision with a poorly-sighted cyclist. Also, surveyors believe that cyclists cause almost as many dangerous situations as pedestrians during the dark hours of the day. “Every year, with the cycling community, the Lithuanian police and IKI Velomarathon, we implement various initiatives aimed at increasing the safety of cyclists. This year, we have turned our attention to a sensitive safety issue and are launching a ‘Light up the Bike’ initiative. A light-duty car at night would be a huge threat to road safety – no doubt, but cycling without mandatory reflectors and lights is still commonplace for many – time to change this approach.” says Tad Dovbyšas, CEO of ERGO Lithuania.

According to him, the use of these measures would significantly reduce the risk of road accidents. The organizers of the initiative will also seek to ensure that road users perceive the necessary rules not as statutory rules but as a means of protecting their health and lives. The intention is to highlight the effectiveness of the different safety features, to provide practical tips to help prevent accidents on the road and to change cyclists’ attitudes to the rules of the road. Accident Avoidance The current Road Traffic Code requires a bicycle rider to wear a bright-colored vest with reflective elements on the driveway, or white light on the front of a bicycle and a red light on the rear. When driving on the road at night or in poor visibility, the bicycle must have a white light on the front and a red light on the back of the bicycle, and the bicycle rider must wear a bright reflective vest with reflective tapes. Chief of the Lithuanian Road Police Service Vytautas Grašys says that two cyclists were killed this year due to a collision with a car during the dark hours of the day. In total, 112 car and bike collisions were recorded in the first six months of this year. “In the dark, driving conditions are always more difficult than during the day, and if some road users become completely invisible in the dark, the journey can be really risky – especially for a road user who is difficult to spot. often they do not realize the danger not only to themselves but also to others. They think that the road is quite well lit and the distance to the destination is short, so nothing bad will happen. it depends on the road user himself, in this case, the bicycle driver, so that he can feel safe on the road. That is, the use of reflective materials and lights is mandatory,” says V.Grasys. Style and safety Vaidas Rimkus, a spokesman and cycling coach for the Vilnius Cycling School, says that riding a bike without the necessary reflectors and lights not only runs the risk of hitting an unobtrusive car but that the cyclist himself can enter the pit without seeing the road. to a curb or other obstacle.” Cyclists do not often buy expensive bikes but regret a dozen or so tens of euros for proper lights and reflectors. Others think that reflectors and lights do not match the style of the bike, spoiling its aesthetic appearance. However, safety should always be a top priority. “Good visibility is needed not only when driveways but also when cycling, in parks – they can be used not only by pedestrians but also by scooters, mothers in wheelchairs. Colliding with them can also be very painful,” says V.Rimless.

Just as Ingelevičius, a member of the Lithuanian Cycling Society, adds that there are plenty of opportunities to properly prepare a bike for the ride today, so in most cases, neglect of visibility is simply due to irresponsibility. “An increasing number of cyclists are taking to the streets, but some are not yet aware that a bicycle is a vehicle that is also subject to the Highway Code and certain requirements. They are designed not just for their own sake, but to ensure the safety of all road users. Cyclists’ education, awareness-raising, as well as enforcement of traffic rules can help to solve these problems. It is also important to develop safe road infrastructure. Unfortunately, speed and bandwidth are often valued more than traffic safety,” said Ingelevičius. Initiative justified by “IKI Velomarathon” racer Benediktas Vanagas notes that the culture of safe cycling in Lithuania is growing, and in recent years there have been consistent campaigns to raise awareness of various aspects of cycling safety. As a result, efforts to focus on the visibility of cyclists on the road are also, he believes, much needed and can change things for the better. “I am certainly noticing an improvement in the safety situation – more and more cyclists are leaving their helmet on the road, driving their bicycle down the aisle, and generally behaving more responsibly. “I believe that by working together with cyclists and car drivers, the police, and business that promotes a safe traffic culture, we can also solve the problem of cyclists’ visibility on the road,” Vanagh says.