It should go without saying, especially at this time of year, but if you are going to be riding your bike in the dark, you need to have a bike light. Forget about whether or not you are required to have one (you are), it’s just a damned good idea.

As part of Portland DOT’s new “See and Be Seen” bike visibility campaign, folks will be gathering at the Community Cycling Center at NE 17th and Alberta for a Bike Light Parade. The parade is a kickoff event for the new program which is intended to encourage drivers to see bicyclists, and cyclists to get lit up. The compaign will include ads placed in and on TriMet buses, and on bus stops and benches.

Folks will start gathering at 5:00 pm, and the parade starts at 5:30. Prizes will be awarded afterwards for “Mr/Ms Safety”, “Best Artistic Expression in an Illumanitive Context” (the mind boggles), and “Hey! Point that thing somewhere else, you’re blinding me!”.

Come meet Commissioner Sam Adams! Enjoy the attention of members of the press! And the Community Cycling Center will also be installing sets of lights FREE for low-income community members (note, you MUST have a bike, and genuinely NEED the lights to qualify). So come on down! Everyone loves a parade! Just like everyone loves exclamation points!