Evanston will distribute and install free bicycle lights on Oct. 30 as part of the city’s effort to provide greater safety education and training for bicyclists in the community.

In line with the city’s long-term initiative to implement an updated bicycle plan and expand designated bicycle lanes, two Evanston locations, one on Northwestern’s campus, will offer a limited amount of bicycle light installations, as well as information on bicycle laws and ordinances, the city announced Friday.

“We want to get engaged with (bicycling) folks to provide some of that training and information and also ensure that people have lights as the days are getting shorter,” said Cindy Plante, a local government management fellow with the International City/County Management Association. “Because we do have people that ride bikes in the Evanston community and at Northwestern campus.”

Through City Council meetings, public hearings and discussions regarding the city’s bicycle plan, many residents and city staff expressed the need for expanded safety education, Plante said.

State law requires people biking at night to use a front light that can be seen from at least 500 feet away, as well as a rear red reflector that is visible from 100 to 600 feet away.

Volunteers will provide a limited number of bicycle lights at The Arch and at Robert Crown Center, 1701 Main St. The two sites will target both Evanston residents and NU students, Plante said.

The event will also be held to encourage bicyclers to adhere to both state and local statutes and ordinances, Plante said.

“Bike safety is being added and being considered as part of our larger plan for bike infrastructure and the larger dialogue that we’re having with the community about the place of bicycles and the importance of sharing the road,” she said.

The idea for a “bike light giveaway” came from a similar event that is held regularly in Urbana, Illinois, Plante said. Depending on the success of Evanston’s upcoming event, staff will evaluate if the city will continue to provide free bicycle lights on a consistent basis as well, she said.

Although this is the only effort currently being taken by the city to promote bicycle safety, Plante said she expects there to be additional initiatives when bike-sharing service Divvy comes to Evanston in 2015.

The city wants to ensure residents are given enough time and opportunities to learn about bicycle laws and safety before Evanston police step up enforcement, she said.

The two stations will be distributing bicycle lights for two hours starting at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 30. The lights are donated by Evanston bicycle store Wheel & Sprocket, 1027 Davis St.

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