Dear Editor,
Pedal cyclists and even motor cyclists ride on our roads at night without lights, whether headlights, tail lights or reflectors. To compound the problem, most times they are in dark attire.
Our roads are narrow and there are very few sidewalks anywhere. Motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and sadly enough, animals, share the roadway. We should use them with commonsense, courtesy, care, caution and consideration for others and our own safety.
Cyclists riding on the shoulders of the road, especially the main thoroughfares, such as the East Coast Demerara and Timehri-Georgetown highways, make it extremely difficult for motorists to see them when their bicycles/motorcycles are unlit.
Oftentimes, vehicles approaching from the opposite direction with headlights on, inadvertently cause diminished vision because of the glare. As a result, cyclists, pedestrians and others on the shoulders are difficult to see, especially where there are no street lights. One would think that the old laws of bicycles being required to have a headlight and rear reflector, a bell and brakes were obsolete, but those laws were still active last time I checked! What seems to be almost accepted as the norm, is a blatant disregard for the laws and a seemingly reluctance on the part of the authorities to enforce them.
At the very least, cyclists should let commonsense prevail and have reflectors in place. Additionally, the police should insist that at least reflectors be made visible on bicycles being used at nights.
Maybe, just maybe, this will help in reducing accidents and fatalities on our roads.
Stay in sight! Use a light!
Yours faithfully,
Mike Wilson
