As the dark winter nights draw in, it is important for road users to look out for each other, and take precautions to be safer on the roads. That's why over the forthcoming weeks, Edinburgh College Students' Association are supporting City of Edinburgh Council and the Streets Ahead Be Bright Be Seen campaign which is aiming to keep you safe whilst travelling to college this winter.
The aim of the Be Bright Be Seen campaign is to help you continue commuting by bike – or on foot – safely, legally and comfortably during these darker winter months by providing you with the knowledge, confidence and tools required to help you safely complete your journey to and from work this winter.
However, all road users have a responsibility to keep each other safe too. Drivers should take extra care to look out for cyclists and pedestrians in the dark, as it isn't always easy to see them, and they are particularly vulnerable if involved in a collision.
Free Lights and Hi-Viz
Come and find us at the bike stores on each campus at the following times to claim some free lights and hi-viz materials to keep you safe. We will also be able to provide guidance on how best to keep cycling and to look after your bike throughout the winter.
Give away times:
| Campus | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Milton Road | 11th November | 8am - 9am |
| Sighthill | 11th November | 3.30pm to 5pm |
| Granton | 12th November | 8am - 9am |
If you can't make it along at these times, you will also be able to collect items from any ECSA office.
Cycling at night - what you need to know:
- It's the law to have lights and reflectors on your bike - a white light at the front and a red light at the rear
- Not having lights means a £50 penalty - per light
- Use a red reflector (and amber pedal reflectors if your bike was manufactured after 1 October 1985).
- A single helmet mounted light is not a substitute for the legal requirement for cycle lights.
- Flashing lights are permitted, but you should use a steady, bright front light where there’s no street lighting.
- Dynamo powered lights (such as those found on Just Eat Cycles) are legal.
- It’s permitted to have your lights turned off, but only when stationary on the left of the roadside.
- It’s legal to fit extra lamps and reflectors, but the most basic rule is still relevant – white lights at the front and red lights at the rear.
- Position lights centrally (when viewed from the front or rear of the bike) and up to 150cm from the ground.
Free Cycle Training
If you would like to cycle to college more, but don't feel confident on the roads, then we can provide you with free one-to-one cycle training. Our instructor Alex will help you learn techniques to stay safer, build up confidence, navigate tricky junctions, and be a better cyclist. Get in touch with us at go.green@ecsa.scot to arrange your first lesson.