Ghent police check 800 cyclists’ lights: Only 11 violations recorded

Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Ghent police conducted a lighting check for cyclists, inspecting 800 individuals between 6:30 and 8:30 AM. Only 11 cyclists lacked proper lights, reflecting increased awareness, especially with e-bikes’ automatic lights. Authorities aim to enhance safety as winter approaches, particularly among students.

The Ghent police checked cyclists’ lights to ensure they were following the rules. The checks took place between 6:30 and 8:30 AM at four busy locations: Coupure Links, Kortrijksepoortstraat, Kramersplein, and Sint-Pieters Station. These areas see a lot of bike traffic during rush hour, making them good spots to help keep cyclists safe on the road.

How effective are Ghent’s cyclist lighting checks in enhancing road safety?

During the two hours, 800 cyclists were inspected, and only 11 were found without proper lighting on their bicycles. The police praised this result, emphasizing the importance of being visible to prevent accidents. They also noted that the rise in e-bike usage, which often comes with automatic lights, likely helped achieve this positive outcome. These checks are part of an ongoing effort to improve road safety by encouraging responsible cycling, especially during busy commuting times.

The Ghent police expressed happiness with recent cyclist safety checks. A police spokesperson said, “We are pleased with this, good visibility contributes to safer traffic.” The low number of violations shows that cyclists are becoming more aware, and it highlights the impact of technology, especially the increasing use of e-bikes. They mentioned that these bikes often come with automatic lights, providing consistent visibility without cyclists needing to turn them on manually. The checks focused on commuter traffic during the early morning hours when proper lighting is important.

The police hope to see improvements among students, who are a big part of Ghent’s cycling community. With winter approaching and darker days ahead, authorities want all cyclists to use proper lights for safety. The police plan to conduct more checks to improve road safety and promote responsible cycling.