Cyclists light up for Reading ride to raise safety awareness

Bikes were decked in colourful lights for the 9km (5.5 mile) ride through Reading

Dozens of cyclists have wrapped their bikes in lights for an evening ride through a town centre to raise awareness of safety at night.

The ride through Reading was held to highlight night-time safety for women cyclists, being visible and the need for well-lit cycling routes.

Kat Heath said she organised the event to highlight that many women stop cycling in the winter months.

The Light Up the Night Ride took place on Friday along a 9km (5.5 mile) route.

Ms Heath said a lot of women stop cycling when the days get shorter "because they don't feel safe".

"To me access shouldn't stop when it gets dark," she said.

"We need more people cycling... but if you don't build infrastructure that's well-lit people aren't going to do it."

Those taking part were also given safety advice and free lights for their bikes.

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