Campaign sheds light on cycling danger

Operation Image, a joint campaign by Cycling City York, Safer York Partnership and North Yorkshire Police, threatened riders without lights with a 30 fixed penalty ticket or a suspended fixed penalty notice that gave them 14 days to ensure that working lights were fitted.

It resulted in 68 fixed penalty notices being issued; eight verbal warnings given and 19 people handed a 30 fixed penalty ticket.

Police said the crackdown, launched in November, significantly reduced the number of cyclists seen riding their bikes without lights after dark.

Graham Titchener, programme manager for Cycling City York, said: "Since the start of Operation Image, there have been a number of neighbourhood policing teams out at key locations across York during the morning and evening rush hours working hard in all weathers to enforce safer cycling.

"It's clear that the operation has had an impact as colleagues within the partner organisations that make up Cycling City York have reported seeing far fewer cyclists out after dark without lights."

The Highway Code states that, at night, cyclists must have white front and red rear lights lit. Bikes must also be fitted with a red rear reflector and amber pedal reflectors.

Fiona Willey, of the Safer York Partnership, said: "I think Operation Image has proved really successful; each week since its launch there has been a marked reduction in the number of cyclists being seen without lights.

"Sadly, we know that there are a small minority of cyclists who continue to flout the law and we'd encourage them to take a more responsible approach for their own safety and that of other road users and pedestrians."