State College Police Chief Thomas King indicated last week that a targeted enforcement effort will be directed at cyclists violating the law requiring lights on bicycles operated at night on streets. This safety measure is being undertaken because of increasing numbers of cyclists riding at night without lights. Ticketing will begin in a few weeks. King indicated that the initial phase of enforcement will likely consist of tickets which will carry no fine if the offender presents proof within a short time that the lighting deficiency has been corrected.
Relevant Section in the bike code:
Section 3507. Lamps or other equipment on pedalcycles.
(a) Lamps and reflectors. — Every pedalcycle when in use between sunset and sunrise shall be equipped on the front with a lamp which emits a beam of white light intended to illuminate the pedalcycle operator’s path and visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front, a red reflector facing to the rear which shall be visible at least 500 feet to the rear, and an amber reflector on each side . Operators of pedalcycles may supplement the required front lamp with a white flashing lamp, light-emitting diode or similar device to enhance their visibility to other traffic and with a lamp emitting a red flashing lamp, light emitting diode or similar device visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear. A lamp or lamps worn by the operator of a pedalcycle shall comply with the requirements of this subsection if the lamp or lamps can be seen at the distances specified.
