CYCLISTS in York have been given free bike lights to keep them safe over winter.

LED lights and reflective backpack covers were handed out outside York St John University last night to people cycling alone without lights.

Sergeant Colin Sutherland, of York Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "The nights are getting much darker now and it is really important that cyclists take their safety on the roads seriously.

"Having lights on your bike which are in good working order is essential to ensure that other road users can see you and make sure they make allowances for you. We have a number of lights available which City of York Council have provided, which we are giving out to people who need them to help them stay safe. The lights we have given out so far have been greatly appreciated by the recipients and the parents of young people we have given them to."

Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing said: "Having lights on your bike can save lives. So, we fully support this campaign and also encourage road users to take this one step further if they can and sign up and pledge their support to the i-Pledge campaign, which is supported by all emergency services. The campaign asks people to sign up and pledge their support to help keep our roads safe."