Bike Calgary provides bike lights to homeless cyclists

MEDIA ADVISORY

Calgary, AB : At 7:00pm on January 26th, in front of the wooden bridge at the Southwest parking lot of the Calgary Zoo, The Calgary Police Service and The Calgary Foundation will be joining Bike Calgary as they launch their “Lights for Bikes” campaign that provides bike lights to homeless cyclists.
Bike Calgary, a local bike advocacy group, will be distributing 230 light sets to local cyclists who may not have the means to purchase them. By providing lights and reflective tape strips, Bike Calgary intends to help all cyclists become more visible, to prevent collisions and to increase safety on Calgary’s pathways and roadways.
Michael Gray, a board member with Bike Calgary explains, “The program is designed for cyclists who are less fortunate and who use their bike as a means of transportation.”
The ”Lights for Bikes” awareness campaign is funded by The Calgary Foundation (TCF) and First Calgary Savings through the joint Stepping Stones granting program. Stepping Stones offers small grants to encourage active citizenship by helping residents undertake small creative projects that benefit their local community. Some light sets were purchased with grant money and others were donated by Mountain Equipment Co-op and Bow Cycle. Lights will be distributed on the street by Bike Calgary members and The Calgary Police Service Mountain Bike Unit.
“We hope that this campaign not only provides lights to cyclists, but raises awareness about the issues of having visual safety devices on our city’s pathways,” Gray says. “The goal is to put the word out to all pathway users including cyclists, runners and walkers.”
Interview and Photo Opportunities available.
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Bike Calgary is a not-for-profit, volunteer organization with an eight member board of directors and over 1350 registered supporters. With a mission of "Connecting Calgary Communities Through Cycling", Bike Calgary provides information to the interested general public, hosts related events, offers cyclist training and awareness, promotes infrastructure improvement, encourages active transportation and promotes safe commuter cycling. For more information visit www.bikecalgary.org.
Media Contact: Michael Gray, Board member of Bike Calgary (403) 560-7062