Coastal Cyclists DST Night Light Give-away

Coastal Cyclists Bicycle Club of the Charleston, South Carolina area has started a program of distributing free headlights and taillights just in time for winter and the daylight savings time.

Many cyclists are seen riding without safety lights and the club has taken on this challenge to give away as many lights to darkness commuters as they can.

Coastal Cyclists members volunteer and try to take lights to different areas and usually high-traffic areas.

Some of the targeted areas are: Mt. Pleasant, West Ashley, Summerville, Charleston East Bay St, Charleston King St, N. Charleston Spruill, Ravenel Bridge, and more.

I traveled Spruil Avenue this morning from Park Circle to downtown Charleston via Meeting Street and America Ave.

All recipients were very grateful.

I rode up to every cyclist and merely asked if they rode much at night and if it was obvious they did I asked if they would like free lights.

So far all riders said they did want them and thanked me.

I proceeded to tell them that it was from our Coastal Cyclists Bicycle Club.

I briefly gave the quick-mounting instructions and battery replacement advice.

The lights are easily installed and quickly removed to prevent theft.

They were appreciated as some of the men would be traveling in darkness for longer periods because of winter setting in and the time change.

I was able to give away 6 pairs, 12 lights front and rear, to 6 people.

Only negative for the person giving lights away in time around sun-up is the traffic that increases with school and work forces commuting as you're trying to buzz on back home.

You may even be delayed by the trains running around 7 AM.

But it's all worth it as the hard-core commuters get some safety lights to hopefully bring them home again.

This is a great program for all clubs.

Many people may believe they cannot afford the lights.

It's most definitely a win-win situation for all cyclists.

God bless the cycling commuters who brave the streets every day.

Happy trails,

~Micky Dee~