Published on August 08, 2012

East Windsor Township Mayor Janice S. Mironov announced that the Township has launched “Bike at Night - Use a Light”, phase 3 of the Township bicycle safety initiative. The bicycle safety program is underwritten by a $10,000 grant previously received from the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety.

Mayor Mironov stated, "Bike at Night - Use a Light" is geared to safe biking at night and will be a directed effort, through public education and personal contact by police officers, to encourage bicyclers to use proper lighting at night.” According to Mayor Mironov, during this phase, which commences on August 7 and continues through September 8, the Township will be distributing, at no cost, at the police building located at 80 One Mile Road, the required pair of front and rear bicycle lights along with safety information literature. East Windsor residents can go to the police building and request the set of lights for their bicycle.

New Jersey and municipal laws require that bicycles be equipped with a white light on the front and a red light on the rear when in use during nighttime hours. The Mayor added that this law applies to all bicyclers, not just younger people. Mayor Mironov noted, “Individuals who bicycle at night can significantly improve their safety and that of the motoring public by using the proper required bicycle mounted lights.”

In May, East Windsor Township launched a multi-month Bicycle Safety Program, with three phases. Phase 1, entitled “Use Your Head” and geared to children under 17 years old, was a free bicycle helmet giveaway, intended to enhance safety by increasing awareness of the laws requiring helmet wear, promoting helmet usage and instructing on correct helmet usage and fit. Phase 2, entitled “Helmet Use Enforcement”, involved distribution by Mayor and Council Members and Township police officers of mock summonses congratulating youngsters for compliance with the helmet laws and asking them to sign a pledge. Mayor Mironov stated, “I believe it is a worthy goal of our Township to launch a full public program to focus on and improve the safe use of bicycles within the Township by undertaking a pro-active education and outreach campaign."

Mayor Janice S. Mironov and Township officials kicked-off “Bike at Night – Use a Light,” Phase 3 of the Township’s bicycle safety program. Pictured (from left to right) are: East Windsor Township Economic Development Committee Student Member Yisroayl Peer; East Windsor Mayor Janice S. Mironov, and Police Lieutenant Harry Marshall.