MassBike is on a mission to shine bright lights across the Commonwealth. As we approach darker months of the year and the fall time-change, rider safety can become more challenging. Throughout the entire month of October, MassBike will raise funds to purchase lights from Planet Bike, to distribute to area colleges across the state and key locations around downtown Boston prior the end of Daylight Savings Time.

"Although only 20 percent of bike rides happen after sunset, more than 50 percent of bike fatalities happen during those hours," said MassBike Executive Director Richard Fries. "Simply being seen is one of the most important ways to make a bike rider safer. But too often - especially during this time of year - we find people caught on their bikes with inadequate lighting." This can be a simple lack of awareness or they cannot afford lights. In either case, MassBike wants to help make sure riders are seen on the roadways and get to where they need to go safely.

The lights being distributed will be from Planet Bike. "These are higher quality lights than most giveaways and their batteries - which are replaceable - will last, on average, about a year," added Fries.

A donation of just $10 donation will provide a set of lights to a rider in need. Lights will be distributed on Thursday November 2, just prior to the end of Daylight Savings Time that weekend at area colleges including UMass/Lowell, Bunker Hill Community College, Salem State University, Roxbury Community College. More locations will be added as the distribution date approaches.

The goal of the program is to give out 1000 lights in one single day. Can you help us get there? Donate today!