Full Notification

The Santa Barbara Police Department and the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition (SBBIKE) have collaborated to enable SBPD officers to provide bicycle lights to cyclists caught riding in the dark.  The Cop-a-Light program will begin on November 6, 2016 at the conclusion of Daylight Saving Time, when earlier sunsets mean more people riding bicycles after dark, and extend through the winter season.  Officers will have bicycle lights, courtesy of SBBIKE and Measure A supported, and SBBIKE’s safety cards.  When the circumstances seem right, officers conducting enforcement stops can also provide cyclists with lights and information.

“The idea came from a group of riders brainstorming how to improve cyclist safety in the winter,” explains SBBIKE Executive Director Ed France.  “I think this effectively builds on both the efforts of our ‘Iluminando la Noche’ effort and SBPD’s bicycle safety efforts.”  Some community members who ride bikes may not know they are legally required to have at least a front white light and a red reflector in back.  France points out that, for safety, a red light to the rear is very helpful. 

This effort provides SBPD officers with an extra tool to support safe cycling.  Not only can they ensure someone they’re engaging with knows the law, they can also provide that person with a light to comply and basic information on bicycling safety.  Added Rob Dayton of the Santa Barbara Public Works Department, “Enforcing bicycle violations at night and providing cyclists with lights fits well with the City’s efforts to improve safety by coordinating the 3 E’s: Enforcement, Education, and Engineering.”