Hello everyone, my name is Benoit Vaillant, and I would like to share my story with you. On November 9th, 2022, I was hit by a car while cycling home from my robotics club at night. I was rushed to our local hospital, and then airlifted to Nanaimo. Luckily, I was wearing a helmet that saved my life, but I still suffered from whiplash, a concussion, and some incredibly painful road rash. I cannot stress enough how lucky I am that I was wearing my helmet. I would not be here today without it.

The night I was hit, I didn’t have any lights on my bike. I have since learned that not only is it unsafe to bike at night without a battery-operated front and back light set, but it is also illegal and can result in a fine of up to $350. When I asked classmates and friends, I discovered that this is not common knowledge. Furthermore, finding good quality lights at an affordable price proved to be a challenge. To prevent other youth from going through the same experience as me, I have made it my mission to raise awareness about the importance of safety measures while cycling at night. That's why I am asking for your support to provide free bike lights to as many youth in the Comox Valley as possible.

With your donations, I plan to visit local elementary schools, share my story, and distribute bike light sets. I estimate that for every 5.00 I collect I can equip one bike with a quality rechargeable front and back light set. Your donations will help make our community a safer place for all cyclists.

But safety is not just about preventing cyclists from getting hit by cars; it's also about preventing drivers from hitting cyclists. I live in a small town where everyone knows each other, and it is also heartbreaking to be the driver who hits someone. The person who hit me was a father who was driving to pick up his own child. He never intended to hit me. Accidents happen. They impact us all.

By equipping bikes with high-quality lights, we can ensure that drivers can see cyclists from a distance, giving them more time to react and avoid collisions. Being hit by a car can have a profound emotional impact on both the victim and the driver. I know firsthand the physical and emotional trauma that comes with it. By providing free bike lights to youth in the Comox Valley, we can reduce the risk of accidents for both cyclists and drivers and help prevent the devastating consequences that come with them.

Please consider donating to my cause. Your support can make a huge difference in the lives of cyclists and drivers in the Comox Valley. Thank you for your generosity and support. Let's work together to make sure that everyone can cycle safely, day or night.