[dc-critmass-list] WABA Announces Free Bike Light Giveaways

[Eric Gilliland]

For Immediate Release 


WABA, DDOT and the City of Alexandria Announce Free Bike Light Giveaways

 

Contact:           Eric Gilliland

Washington Area Bicyclist Association

1803 Connecticut Ave NW, 3rd Fl

Washington, DC 20009

p) 202-518-0524

f) 202-518-0936

e) gill at waba.org          

On Thursday, October 23, Tuesday, October 28 and Thursday, October 30, the
Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), the District Department of
Transportation (DDOT) and the City of Alexandria will be handing out free
bike lights to cyclists as part of the fall "Got Lights?" bicycle safety and
education campaign. 

 

Through the financial support of DDOT, WABA members and the City of
Alexandria, the partners will give out 600 free front and rear bike light
sets to help make streets safer for nighttime riders by raising awareness of
the importance of being seen when cycling, especially at night.

  

While only three percent of bike rides happen at night, over half of all
cyclists killed are hit while riding at night without lights.  In
conjunction with the distribution of the bike lights, WABA and its partners
will be handing out its Safe Bicycling in the Washington Area guide and
other safety literature while reminding cyclists that it is the law in the
District of Columbia and Virginia to have a front white light and rear red
reflector, or rear red light, when riding in the dark.

 

Timed to coincide with daylight savings time, the purpose behind WABA's "Got
Lights?" campaign is to reach out to bike commuters and other cyclists
riding in the dark without the proper safety equipment. While doing this
WABA, DDOT and the City of Alexandria hope to also reach the Latino
community, one of Washington's largest bicycle commuter groups. To do this,
the free light giveaways will be taking place in DC in two locations: one of
which is located in the neighborhood of Mount Pleasant/Columbia Heights,
where a high concentration of Latino residents will pass the distribution
point. WABA will provide bike safety literature that includes both English
and Spanish text. The City of Alexandria location is in the neighborhood of
Arlandria, where a high concentration of Latino residents will pass the
distribution point near the Four Mile Run Trail.

Lights are available on a first come, first serve basis to cyclists without
lights and will be available while supplies last.

 

DC Location Details

Giveaways will take place on Thursday, October 23rd and Tuesday, October
28th from 4:30pm until supplies run out at the Suntrust Plaza at the corner
of 18th St. and Columbia Rd. NW, Washington, DC and at the Shrine of the
Sacred Heart Catholic Church near the intersection of 16th St. and Park Rd.
NW (3211 Pine St  NW.), Washington, DC.  

 

For more information on the DC giveaways, please contact Eric Gilliland,
Washington Area Bicyclist Association, 1803 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington,
DC 20009 202-518-0524, gill at waba.org.  

 

Alexandria Location Details 
Giveaway will take place on Thursday, October 30 from 5 to 6:30 pm, or while
supplies last.  The giveaway will take place on Commonwealth Avenue near
Four Mile Run at Cora Kelly Elementary School, 3600 Commonwealth Ave.  The
Alexandria event is sponsored by WABA, City of Alexandria, Wheel Nuts Bike
Shop and BikeWalk Alexandria.  Wheel Nuts Bike Shop will provide mechanical
support.

 

For details on the Alexandria giveaway, please contact Yon Lambert, City of
Alexandria Pedestrian and Bicycle Coordinator at 703.519.3400 x 183 or email
yon.lambert at alexandriava.gov .  More details can be found at
www.alexandriava.gov/localmotion.

 

 

Eric Gilliland

Executive Director

Washington Area Bicyclist Association

1803 Connecticut Ave NW, 3rd Floor

Washington, DC 20009

p) 202-518-0524

f) 202-518-0936

e) gill at waba.org

w) www.waba.org

 

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