Let's Get Visible 2011

About this Campaign

In the shortest days of the year the importance of being visible on a bike becomes evident. Our 2011 "Let's Get Visible" Campaign will address this need by providing lights to the cyclists that need them most. To a veteran rider, it might seem like a no-brainer to have front and rear lights. However, the reality is many cyclists in and around Atlanta do not have access to the information or resources to keep them safe on the road. We will be distributing lights in two ways; volunteer distribution and pick-up centers. Below are the locations where you can pick up your lights:

SOPO BICYCLE COOP
465-C Flats Shoals Ave., Atlanta 30316
404-425-9989/info@sopobike.org
Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 7-10pm, Saturday 2-6pm

GEORGIA TECH STARTER BIKES
750 Ferst Dr NW, Atlanta 30318
Southeast corner at the bottom level of the CRC parking deck (map here)
Hours: Friday 4-6pm

ATLANTA BICYCLE COALITION OFFICE
213 Mitchell Street, Atlanta 30303
404-881-1112/info@atlantabike.org
Hours: Monday through Friday 9:30am-5:30pm

Thank you to the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, Councilmember Michael Julian Bond, Post 1 At-Large; and our friends at SHIFT, Sopo and Starter Bikes for their support of this program.

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Want to help?

We have all passed someone on our evening commute that for one reason or another is riding without lights. This is your chance to help them. We have lights at the ABC office for volunteers to pick up and distribute to riders at night. We recommend doing this in teams of two or more. For more information email volunteer@atlantabike.org

Each bike light we distribute costs $5, please consider making a donation to help sustain this program. A donation of $25 will help five cyclists that need to be seen on the road. Click here to donate now.

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Visibility goes beyond lights...

... and is not only a concern when riding at night. Below are some helpful tips to make sure you are seen any time of the day:

• Use a white headlight and red rear light that are visible from 300 feet. It's the law. 
• Wear brightly colored (or reflective) clothing.
• Ride on the road, not the sidewalk. Bicycles on sidewalks are less visible to drivers who may be turning or backing out of driveways.
• Ride with traffic. Motorists and other cyclists are not expecting to see bicycles coming towards them. When a bicycle is riding toward a motorist or cyclist, the amount of time they have to react is greatly reduced.
• Ride away from the curb, gutter or shoulder. Motorists are not able to identify a cyclist as quickly if they are riding at the edge of a road. You will also reduce the risk of hitting debris or hazards that may be hiding in the shadows at the edge of the road
• Slow down. Most bicycle lights do not illuminate your path as much as a car's headlight. Moving a little slower you greatly improves your ability to scan for debris and hazards.