PORTLAND, Ore. - Jeff Bernards is an enlightened kind of guy.

A committed cyclist, he's constantly spreading the word that the cycling is the way to go to beat traffic and do right by the environment.

By Bernards is also a man on a mission. Once someone decides to go by bike, he wants to make sure they are easy to see.

Three years ago, the intoxicated driver of an SUV hit and killed two cyclists in Portland. The accident happened at night, and the cyclists did not have proper lights on their bicycles.

Statistics show that most fatal accidents involving cars and bikes happens in the dark between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m.

Since the accident, Bernards has been handing out bike headlights and tail lights. Many times, the people he gives lights to are low-income riders who may not be able to afford them.

Grants help Bernards pay for the hundreds of light kits he gives away.

But even when offered free lights, Bernards says some cyclists still refuse them. He says that he has seen cyclists refuse the lights only to then get hit by a car, and then return and sheepishly accept his offer.

Portland city laws mandate that cyclists riding at night must have working lights on their bikes - front and rear.

Recently, Bernards and dozens of other cyclists rode together through northeast Portland to bring awareness to using lights on bicycles.

Many of the bikes featured multiple bright and pulsing lights, both on the bikes and on the rider's helmets and packs. They were hard to miss on the dark residential street.

The city of Portland has also teamed with several cycling groups in town to promote a "See and Be Seen" safety campaign during the month of December.

Bernards message to cyclists is simple: "Get lit!"