Bright at night equals safe and seen

Reflective clothing and bright lights are back in fashion – for cyclists, that is.

Be Safe Be Seen is an annual autumn/winter campaign by iWay focused on cyclists, and supported by Napier City and Hastings District Councils. It highlights the importance of being seen in low light conditions. As well as targeting those on bikes, it also encourages walkers, scooter riders and runners to be as visible as possible.

Mayor Kirsten Wise is keen to see people continuing to use cycle ways and pathways through winter but safety must come first.

“It’s great to see people out and about as the days get shorter and colder as long as they can really be seen, especially in the early morning and at dusk,” says Mayor Wise. “Many schoolchildren cycle to and from school and there are plenty of recreational riders about, as well as commuters. Keeping safe and ensuring they are visible to other road and path users is so important, for everyone’s safety.”

Hastings District Council Active Transport Committee chair Damon Harvey says it's important for cyclists to wear reflective clothing and to have effective front and rear lights and if possible stick to iWay trails. He also says it's important to continue to ride, and the more the better as that also makes drivers more aware.

"Cyclists have as much right as anyone to use our dedicated cycle trails and roads. It's important that they take every precaution but also that drivers are fully aware that there are cyclists commuting to work, school or enjoying a recreational ride. Sharing is caring.”

Pop-up information stations with spot prizes and giveaways, have been held in several locations in Hastings over the past week, supported by Sport Hawke’s Bay, with more to come in both cities over the next few weeks.

Napier and Hastings councils have worked together on cycling initiatives through the iWay programme since 2015, including campaigns like Be Safe Be Seen. IWay is funded by the Hastings District and Napier City Councils, and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. This year’s campaign is also supported by Road Safe Hawke’s Bay, Sport Hawke’s Bay, and New Zealand Police. Check www.facebook.com/loveiway for more information on this month’s pop ups.

Photo: Keen cyclist Junior Tuakana knows what it means to be safe and seen. Here he is pictured with Hastings District Council Transport Engineer Larry Blake and Sport Hawke's Bay Cycle Instructor Chris Young during the pop-up on Southampton Street.

ENDS

Hastings Pop-Up Locations

• Monday 16 May, Ōmahu Road between Kelfield Place and Wilson Road, 4:00pm - 6:00pm.

• Wednesday 18 May, Otene Road at the intersection with Ruahapia Road, 4:00pm and 6:00pm.

• Tuesday 24 May,  Intersection of Southampton Street East and Hastings Street South, 6:30am-8:30am.

• Wednesday 25 May, Napier Road just north of Romanes Drive, 4:00pm-6:00pm.

• Rescheduled to Wednesday 1 June, Pākōwhai Road between St Aubyn Street and Fitzroy Ave, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Napier Pop-Up Locations

• Wednesday 1 June, cnr of Kennedy Road and Georges Drive (at the lights), 5:00pm - 6:00pm

• Friday 3 June, cnr of Lee Road and Meeanee Road (at the lights), 5:00pm - 6:00pm

31 May 2022

Back to News & Events