Rider in Springfield riding bright thanks to #LightsBrigade

In the past four years, MassBike has purchased and distributed over 6,000 sets of front and rear lights to bicyclists of all ages and abilities across Massachusetts. Our volunteers stationed themselves at busy commuting corridors and pathways to flag down bicyclists without lights and provide lights to keep the riders safer and legal while biking at night. All bike riders in Massachusetts are legally required to have front white lights and a red taillight or rear reflector 30 minutes after sunset or 30 minutes before sunrise, we want to ensure every bike rider in the commonwealth is riding legally at night.

We have a long way to go until every rider is bright. You can help us reach our goal by volunteering or donating today, read on to learn more about how you can brighten up cyclists in your community this year.

Help us brighten up cyclists in your community

Our Lights Brigade campaign depends on volunteers like you to distribute lights to bicyclists in your community! While we emphasize distributions during the dark winter months, you can host a Lights Brigade event at any time of the year.

Here are a few ways you can help:

Organize a street corner lights distribution

This is the classic Lights Brigade format where you choose a street corner or trail that's popular with bicyclists to hand out lights. Hosts usually spend about 4-5 hours including planning on these types of events. Hosts are expected to determine the date/location of their event, coordinate with MassBike to get lights & approve publicity, be the main contact for volunteers, and report back to MassBike about how the event went/send in any photos.

Host a distribution at your organization or event

Do you have a local event or community organization where you'd like to distribute lights? We'd love to have you host an event for bicyclists to pick up free lights. Hosts are expected to determine the date/location of their event, coordinate with MassBike to get lights & approve publicity, be the main contact for volunteers, and report back to MassBike about how the event went/send in any photos. 

Be a friendly face & help out a host

Our Lights Brigade hosts usually need a few extra volunteers to support their events. We recommend four people as an ideal team: one person to call out to bikers; one person to install lights; one person to take photos; one person to keep an eye out for the next rider. Most Lights Brigade distributions are a 1-2 hour commitment. By filling out the form below as a general volunteer, we'll add you to our volunteer list and give your contact information to local event hosts.

Ready to host or be added to our Lights Brigade volunteer list? Click here to fill out our Lights Brigade Volunteer Form

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Help us raise the funds necessary to get lights to riders

Join us in raising $3,000 (or more) for your region & fund at least 300 bicycle lights to be distributed in your community. Choose your region's fundraising page to fund lights for your community.

• Berkshires 
• Boston Metro
• Cape & Islands
• Central MA
• Connecticut River Valley
• North Shore
• South Shore/South Coast 

Make a recurring gift of $10 per month and you will keep a dozen cyclists bright throughout the year.