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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 105%;">CITY OF COLUMBIA, MISSOURI<br />P.O. BOX 6015 COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
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<h2 style="font-size: 200%;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</h2>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">November 7, 2017</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 75px; font-size: 120%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Janet Godon, Planner
<br />573-441-5495, Janet.Godon@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:200%;"><h3 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 170%;">Lighten Up Columbia bicycle light checkpoint</h3>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;">With the change from Daylight Saving Time (DST) to Central Standard Time (CST) occurring last weekend, cyclists traveling during early evening hours are reminded of the need to use a white front facing light and red taillight.</p>
<p><br />In an effort to encourage the use of bicycle lights, GetAbout Columbia, in partnership with Columbia Parks and Recreation, will be conducting bicycle light checkpoints from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 8 and Wednesday, Nov. 15. Bicycle light sets will be distributed and installed free of charge, as part of "Lighten Up Columbia," a bicycle safety awareness campaign. The checkpoints will be held at the corner of Ninth Street and Cherry Street.</p>
<p><br />Prepackaged light kits will include a front light, rear taillight and a flyer summarizing Missouri laws and City traffic ordinances related to safe cycling. The kits will be distributed while supplies last. Funding is provided by the Federal Highway Administration's Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Program. The campaign kickoff date was planned to coincide with the end of Daylight Saving Time.</p>
<p><br />National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data from 2012 indicates that 69 percent of bicycle fatalities in the United States occurred in urban areas, and 48 percent of the fatalities happened between 4 p.m. and midnight. </p>
<p><br />GetAbout Columbia staff would like to remind cyclists that it's not just an extremely good idea to have lights on a bike; it's actually the law in regards to a front-facing white light and rear-facing red reflector. GetAbout Columbia recommends also utilizing a red taillight and high visibility clothing. Use of both a front light and taillight allows the cyclist to see the roadway or trail and also improves their visibility to drivers of motor vehicles.</p>
<p><br />Bicycle lights sets are also distributed during regular business hours at the Columbia Parks and Recreation Office, 1 S. 7th St.</p>
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<p><strong>About GetAbout Columbia:</strong> Funding for GetAbout Columbia is provided by the Federal Highway Administration's Non-Motorized Transportation Program. Education and encouragement programs are administered by the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department.</p>
<p><strong>Summary of City Ordinances Related to Bike Lights as Required Equipment on Cycles</strong></p>
<p>Sec. 14-508. -Required equipment.</p>
<p>…(b)</p>
<p>Lights. Each person operating a cycle on a street or highway during the period from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise shall have his cycle equipped with the following:</p>
<p><br /> (1) A front-facing lamp on the front or carried by the rider which shall emit a white light visible at night under normal atmospheric conditions on a straight, level, unlighted roadway at five hundred (500) feet.</p>
<p>(2) A rear-facing red reflector, at least two (2) square inches in reflective surface area, on the rear which shall be visible at night under normal atmospheric conditions on a straight, level, unlighted roadway when viewed by a vehicle driver under the lower beams of vehicle headlights at six hundred (600) feet…</p></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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