The Rhone prefecture organizes a distribution of reflective vests to cyclists and pedestrians on October 25, to make them more visible in the night. An operation reminiscent of the one that “be visible” has been running for several years at the time of change at winter time.
Adhering to the Federation of Bicycle Users (FUB), the Lyon association La Ville regularly organizes sales of reflective yellow vests with reflective materials. A communication medium but also security, especially since the night will fall earlier from the change in the winter time this weekend. “In Lyon, we are the relay of the campaign ‘Brilliant Cyclists’,” says Fabien Agnon, the co-president of the association Lyon. For him, the operation led by the Rhone prefecture to equip cyclists and pedestrians is “a good initiative” because these users are “vulnerable and pay a heavy tribe.” “For cyclists, it’s not mandatory in the city, but we would tend to advise it as soon as it’s dark.” Pedestrians walk on sidewalks, they have pedestrian crossings. would all wear a vest which made of reflective fabric? ” This last point seems more difficult to put in place.
At night, caution
In this time of change of time, and while bicycle users are increasing by 25% in September, vigilance remains in place, with wearing the vest and efficient lighting. “There are a lot of new cyclists,” commented Fabien Agnon, “Some start in the night practice, you have to remind everyone that lighting is used to be seen and to see, and driving at night also means more concentration.” Sales of reflective vests are planned in Villeurbanne (date and place to be specified) and in the second arrondissement of Lyon (November 6, place to be specified) by La Ville.
All these awareness and security operations are not conducted jointly between the State services and user associations. Yet partnerships could be beneficial. “I regret that the prefecture does not know us well, we associations, says Fabien Agnon, we could make them benefit from our communication network, our social networks.” The bike city boasts 690 members and about 4000 supporters.