The City of West Hollywood and the West Hollywood Bicycle Coalition will co-host a bike light giveaway event called Operation Firefly along both sides of Santa Monica Boulevard just east of N. San Vicente Boulevard on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to encourage safe cycling by helping bicyclists light the way and be more visible during nighttime riding with free bike lights.

Bicycle lights will be given to people who have their bikes with them, on a first-come, first-served basis; supplies are limited. A water station and other complimentary giveaways will be available to everyone, along with information about mobility projects underway in West Hollywood. City staff will be available to speak with community members in English and Spanish about the importance of riding with lights.

When riding a bike at night on a highway, sidewalk, or bikeway, California Vehicle Code § 21201(d) requires that your bicycle be equipped with a white light that is visible from a distance of 300 feet from the front and side of your bicycle. Alternatively, this white lamp can be attached to the bicycle rider, such as to a helmet, so long as it is still visible from 300 feet.

Additionally, bicycles must be equipped with the following lights: a red reflector or solid or flashing red light with a built-in reflector on the rear of the bike that is visible from a distance of 500 feet when in front of headlights on a motor vehicle; a white or yellow reflector on each pedal, shoe, or ankle that is visible from both the front and rear of the bicycle at a distance of 200 feet; a white or yellow reflector on each side of the bicycle on the forward portion of the bicycle and a white or red reflector on each side of the bicycle on the rear portion of the bicycle.

A 2013 Danish study found that bicycle lights significantly improve safety, with studies showing a 19% to 47% reduction in injury-causing collisions for cyclists who use them, including daytime running lights (DRLs). DRLs are particularly effective, with a 19% lower accident rate for cyclists who used them consistently compared to those who did not. The visibility provided by lights, especially bright or blinking ones, helps drivers spot cyclists more easily, while clothing and light placement also impact driver recognition. 

For additional information about mobility projects in the City of West Hollywood, please visit www.weho.org/mobility.

For more information about the Safer Cycling Mobility Pop-up, please contact Chris Corrao, City of West Hollywood Senior Transportation Planner, at (323) 848-3170 or at ccorrao@weho.gov. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing dial 711 or 1-800-735-2929 (TTY) or 1-800-735-2922 (voice) for California Relay Service (CRS) assistance.

For up-to-date information about City of West Hollywood news and events, follow @wehocity on social media, sign-up for news updates at www.weho.org/email and visit the City’s calendar of meetings and events at www.weho.org/calendar. West Hollywood City Hall is open for walk-in services at public counters or by appointment by visiting www.weho.org/appointments. City Hall services are accessible by phone at (323) 848-6400 and via website at www.weho.org. Receive text updates by texting “WeHo” to (323) 848-5000.

For reporters and members of the media seeking additional information about the City of West Hollywood, please contact the City of West Hollywood’s Public Information Officer, Sheri A. Lunn, at (323) 848-6391 or slunn@weho.org.