The annual Be Safe, Be Seen Campaign focused on collaboration between the Cities of Eugene and Springfield, Lane Council of Governments, Safe Lane Transportation Coalition, PeaceHealth Rides Bike Share, Safe Routes to School, and Better Eugene Springfield Transportation with local service agencies, ensuring direct delivery of transportation safety materials and breaking down barriers to safe night travel. Agencies are now distributing the lights and vests to community members this year, and include Homes For Good, LILA, Willamalane, Head Start, The Mission, St. Vincent de Paul, Sponsors, Ophelia’s Place, Community Supported Shelters, Connected Lane County and more.
Visibility is especially important in the late fall, when it becomes dark earlier in the evening. Studies have shown that wearing reflective gear or a light can increase visibility from 500 feet at night compared to just 55 feet away when wearing dark colors with no reflective gear or lights. The 2021 Be Safe, Be Seen Campaign distributed 730 bike light sets, 925 clip-on pedestrian lights, and 228 reflective vests in partnership with 17 local agencies.