Bicycle riders need to be bright at night

Mark Shallcross, Alison Miller,Sandra Shapiro, West Windsor
It’s no longer light when many of us head off or come home from work, or go jogging or walking, and it will soon be darker for many more of us.
   The West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance strongly urges pedestrians, joggers and bicyclists to be bright at night.
   The dark coats and jackets most of us favor make it hard for motorists to see us. The Federal Highway Administration says a driver will first see someone wearing blue 55 feet away and someone in white from 180 feet – but won’t be able to stop in time for either if he’s going 40 mph.
   Even when being visible helps everyone stay safe.
   The WWBPA, an all-volunteer local nonprofit group, will demonstrate and sell a wide range of items at the West Windsor Farmers Market on Saturday, Oct. 1, that will make you more visible: vests, belts and briefcase straps with reflective materials, small lights to hang off the end of purses and backpacks and of course lights and reflective tape for bikes.
   Come see us between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Vaughn Drive commuter parking lot off Alexander Road.
   You can’t be too visible.
Mark Shallcross, Alison Miller,
Sandra Shapiro
West Windsor Bicycle
and Pedestrian Alliance 