TORONTO, Ont. — For those who commute to work or get to subways on bicycles in spite of fall’s colder weather and diminishing daylight hours, their bikes must have proper lighting and reflective gear. Cycle Toronto, in partnership with the Toronto Police Service and Toronto personal-injury law firm McLeish Orlando, will set up along busy cycling commuter routes at dusk on three evenings in October to flag down unlit cyclists and educate them on the importance of staying visible, as well as providing free sets of equipment to ensure safe rides home.

“Cycling is a year-round activity for many people across Toronto,” said Jared Kolb, executive director of Cycle Toronto. “It gets darker earlier this month and we have got to watch out for one another out there. Safety is everyone’s responsibility, including the cycling community.”

The Ministry of Transportation has recently increased the set fine for improper lighting of a bicycle from $20 to $110. From half an hour before sunset to half an hour after sunrise, cyclists in Ontario must have a front white light and either rear red reflectors or rear red lights on their bicycles. Bicycles also need to be lit when it is dark due to rain, fog, or snow.

“Improving road safety and traffic flow is one of our goals in support of and commitment to safe communities and neighbourhoods,” said Superintendent Gord Jones, Unit Commander of Traffic Services. “Traffic safety is the responsibility of everyone who uses our roadways, and active transportation continues to grow in the city every day. The safety of cyclists and other road users in the city of Toronto is very important to us. We are pleased to be in partnership with our colleagues at Cycle Toronto on this innovative and important campaign.”