Glow Ride shines light on need for safer cycling

The cyclists had to rely on their own lamps in Fairlands Valley Park

More than 50 cyclists have staged a glow ride to highlight the need for safer night cycling - especially for women.

The route in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, included a park which many cyclists avoid in the winter because it has no lighting.

Participants also called for damaged cycle paths and roads to be repaired.

One borough councillor who saw the event get under way said the authority was "willing to look at" providing extra lights.

The Glow Ride was part of a national campaign by Cycling UK and coincided with similar events in Milton Keynes, St Albans and across the country.

The 5.6 mile (9km) route in Stevenage included parts of the town's extensive cycle routes and road network as well as Fairlands Valley Park - which was particularly difficult as much of it was in darkness.

Jennifer Huygen got more than 1,000 signatures on a petition for more lighting in the park

One of the cyclists, Jennifer Huygen, said she was so fed up with the lack of lighting that she brought the issue up at a council meeting.

She said: "I asked 'when will you make it safe? Will you install lighting?'

"Basically, they questioned whether it was sensible for me as a woman to be there by myself in the dark, and I got really upset by that."

She started a petition which soon collected 1,300 signatures, which meant the issue had to be discussed at a council meeting.

Councillor Alistair Gordon said extra lighting could be "on the cards"

Alistair Gordon, a borough councillor who saw the Glow Ride start, said additional lighting was "always something the council is willing to look at, obviously resource-dependant, but we're always keen to hear from people".

"I wouldn't say it's not on the cards," he said.

Lindsey Day said underpasses in Stevenage felt much safer after the installation of new lighting

Other participants reported that some of the cycle routes had deteriorated and the ride was, in places, far from smooth.

But there were some positives to take from the event.

Lindsey Day said: "You can see from where the underpasses have been improved how much safer it feels.

"The lighting has changed to LED and it's on sensors - it feels nicer and more inclusive."