As we adjust to the time change, we wanted to share an update on 2020-2021 “Operation Firefly” (Operacíon Luciérnaga), LACBC’s education and bike light distribution program dedicated to making cyclists and pedestrians more visible on the streets of Los Angeles. For the past 8 years the Operation Firefly program has distributed free lights and educational materials to more than 15,000 bicyclists in LA between November and March during Daylight Savings time.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, LACBC partnered with PATH (People Assisting The Homeless) to distribute bike lights and educational materials to the most invisible members of the cycling and pedestrian community affected by the current health and economic crisis – those suffering from homelessness. We also recognize that we need to keep the program going throughout the year, so we just placed an order for another 1,000 bike light sets!
We want to thank our amazing partners at PATH for so seamlessly integrating Operation Firefly in their direct service outreach to Angelenos in need. To date they have distributed over 500 bike lights so far and we are only getting started!
Of course none of this would be possible without the support of Lyft, the following elected officials and bicycle club members who stepped up to provide essential funding for the Operation Firefly in their communities this year. Please join us in acknowledging the following leaders:
Councilmembers Bonin, Buscaino, Rodriguez, & Raman; Supervisor Solis through LA County Public Works; LaGrange Bicycle Club; and Fireflies Bicycle Club.
In order to amplify our impact, we are working with a number of media partners across the County of Los Angeles committed to supporting safer streets by joining our Operation Firefly: Look Out to Give Space! public service campaign to raise awareness about the growing number of people who are walking and bicycling at dusk and dawn due to the pandemic. The campaign focuses on those behind the wheel – Look Out to Give Space! educates the public on laws requiring giving space for people walking and rolling and encourages drivers to follow a series of simple easy-to-remember guidelines to increase their awareness of vulnerable road users.