This report describes an evaluation study into the effectiveness of the bicycle lighting `Be seen, light your bike' campaign. Before-and-after measurements of the use of bicycle lights were made in two types of Dutch police regions: (1) where extra police efforts and public information were planned, both as a part of that campaign; and (2) where, apart from the national publicity activities, no extra activities were planned. The study has shown that there was an increase in the use of bicycle lights during the October 1998 to February 1999 period. At locations within districts where extra campaign activities were carried out, the use of bicycle lights during the evening rush hour increased by an average of eight percentage points: from 52% before to 60% afterwards. An increase of light use during the evening rush hour also occurred at locations in regions where no extra activities were carried out, namely from 52% to 57%. It appeared afterwards that within these areas, there had indeed been some campaign and enforcement activities. If all the regions are totalized, the use of bicycle lights during the evening rush hour was 58%: 4 percentage points higher than in 1996. Since the end of the 1980's, use of bicycle lights outside built-up areas has been decreasing., with the lowest percentage in 1998. The campaign has reversed this decline into a considerable increase in 1998-1999.
Abstract