Daylight Savings Time is over, which means it’s getting dark much earlier in the evening – so if you’re walking or riding your bike in the area, remember to make sure other drivers can see you.
The Carrboro Bicycle Coalition is doing its part to help out. This Friday at Carrboro Town Commons, they’re hosting an event called “Friday Night Lights!”
“All of a sudden we went (off) Daylight Savings Time, and it’s really dark in the evening already – but we’re still having lots of folks out biking and walking,” says Molly DeMarco, one of the event organizers. “So this event is really to help people be safe out there.”
If you’re a regular biker or pedestrian, head to Carrboro Town Commons this Friday at 6:00 pm. Bring your bikes and get a free set of lights; organizers will also be giving away reflective material for pedestrians. At 6:45 there will be a walk-and-ride with members of the Board of Aldermen, then at 7:30 everyone will gather at Looking Glass Café for a free screening of “The Triplets of Belleville.”
And along the way, there will be prizes awarded to the best-lit bike, the most visible cyclist , and the most visible pedestrian. WCHL’s Elizabeth Friend will be one of the celebrity judges, along with Carrboro Alderman Damon Seils and Carrboro police officer Heather Barrett.
Ginger Guidry of the Carrboro Bicycle Coalition says being visible is a major part of being safe.
“It’s really helpful to be aware of your visibility,” she says. “People don’t realize sometimes how hard it is to see a cyclist without lights, or a pedestrian without any reflective material.”
But both Guidry and DeMarco also remind drivers to stay alert and watch for bikers and pedestrians – especially now that it’s dark so early in the evening.
Guidry and DeMarco stopped by WCHL this week and talked about the event with Aaron Keck.
Friday’s event is free for all. It gets under way at 6 pm on Carrboro Town Commons.
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