CYCLISTS caught riding around Barnsley and Doncaster without lights after dark will be offered a free set of lights by the police, instead of being fined.
Normally, cyclists would be hit with a £30 fixed penalty notice for riding without lights, but to help make it safer for them to ride on the county’s roads, police want to help make them more visible, rather than punish them.
In a pilot project, police officers will now give cyclists they stop seven days to attend a police station to pick up their free lights. Chief Inspector Neil Thomas said “By not making themselves visible to other road users, some cyclists are causing a danger not only to themselves but also to pedestrians and motorists, which is why initiatives like this are important.
“All cyclists should take necessary steps to be seen when they’re travelling on the road.
“Bike lights are a legal requirement when riding in the dark, but I also recommend wearing high-viz clothing and a cycle helmet.