Be a Light in the Darkness! Stop by our last Operation Illumination of the season!

Since 2011, Bike Pittsburgh has been giving away hundreds of free bike lights annually with its Operation Illumination program. BikePGH will host its final pop-up Bike Light giveaway of 2022 on Thursday, November 3, from 4-6PM at The Highline.

BikePGH cares about riders’ safety and education, and Operation Illumination is one of the best ways to directly provide that to our community. Operation Illumination is an initiative run by Bike Pittsburgh with the aim to keep riders seen and safe while riding. Not having a bike light can be a barrier that prevents people from riding safely at night, or worse, can be perilous if they continue to ride unlit.

💡 BikePGH has given away 400+ bike light sets so far this year💡

Each year, BikePGH’s goal is to give away 200 hundred bike lights across the communities of Pittsburgh. Safe to say, we are smashing that goal this year and then some, as we still have one final event to go!

Final Operation Illumination of 2022

On Thursday, November 3rd, 2022, BikePGH will distribute free front and rear light sets from 4-6 PM at The Highline (corner of 4th St. and Three Rivers Heritage trail) as part of Operation Illumination, proudly presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates. This event will also feature bike safety checks and minor repairs courtesy of our friends at Unison Bike Lab.

Along with lights, this year BikePGH is able to provide helmets as well, thanks to the generous support of Edgar Snyder & Associates. “Edgar Snyder & Associates is excited to join forces with BikePGH—our organizations are both safety and community-oriented—so this partnership makes total sense,” said Brad Trust, Partner from Edgar Snyder & Associates. “Through their advocacy, training, and outreach, BikePGH has made Pittsburgh a safer city and an overall better place to live. Our firm is proud to help them continue this work through Operation Illumination.”

What to expect? BIKE LIGHTS!  

BikePGH staff and volunteers will provide bike lights and helmets until time or supplies run out (whichever comes first). Unlit cyclists will be flagged down and called over so we can install front and rear light sets on their bikes.

Cyclists who stop by can also pick up BikePGH’s Biking 101 Guide (a graphic comic that tells you the basics of biking safely in the city of bridges) and the legendary Pittsburgh Bike Map.

Event Details:

• Operation Illumination
• Date: Thursday, November 3rd, 2022
• Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM (while supplies last)
• Location: The Highline (intersection of 4th St. and Three Rivers Heritage trail.)
• To receive your free lights, please be sure to bring your UNLIT BIKE, as we cannot give you a pair of lights without a bike present. We do this to ensure that we are distributing lights that can be put to use on bikes immediately.
• Facebook Event Link

Did you know? 

Riding without lights not only makes bicyclists near-invisible after dark – it’s also a ticket-able offense. PA state law requires front lights and rear reflectors to be visible after dusk and before dawn. Lightless biking is risky, and whether people are simply unaware or they cannot afford lights, we want to ensure that they are covered.  Read our best advice for riding at night here!

PS: If you already own lights please don’t request a set. This event is intended for people who cannot afford lights.

Help light the way for others

Join BikePGH and Edgar Snyder in giving back to the cycling community and make a contribution to the Operation Illumination program today. Click here to contribute. ($30 is the cost of one set of lights for an unlit rider.)

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