With commutes to and from campus getting darker every day, university police and the UO Bike Program are reaching out to riders to keep them safe and legal.

Using a bike light is more than a common sense safety measure for dark morning and evening travel; it’s the law. Cyclists in Oregon need a white front light with a minimum visibility of 500 feet and a red rear light or reflector with a minimum visibility of 600 feet at night and in low visibility conditions.

Failure to use the proper lights is a Class D traffic violation and can result in a fine of up to $90.

Starting this week, the UO Police Department is stepping up its bike intercepts as part of the university’s annual Bike Light Campaign.

Officers will focus on education, not enforcement, by issuing warnings and handing out flyers about the law when they stop people biking on campus at night without lights. Some students may also be given free bike lights by the officers who stop them.

The campaign — supported by UOPD, the Bike Program and UO Transportation Services ­— also includes digital display messaging across campus to inform students who may be unaware of the bike light safety law.

Students can purchase bike lights at the UO Bike Program in the Erb Memorial Union or any local bike shop. Up to 1,000 free lights will be given away during this fall’s campaign.