Safe Speed Forums

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/8094039.Brighton_cyclist_fined___700/


Since there was the no lights element, I'd guess this took place in the darkness hours, which makes the pavement riding more risky. Add the failing to stop, this seems to be a stroppy individual - as usual an individual who gets the rest a bad name.

However, let us hope that this is the beginning of a nationwide crackdown on anti social road use, and that some pedestrians get their cumuppence too!
Those who thrust their children in pushchairs from the kerb in order to stop traffic - especially when there is a crossing just yards away, or those who choose to cross at 45° to the road instead of crossing straight over.

And we should not forget drivers who insist on driving in good visibility with their fog lights on - especially when it is wet, and the reflection of 200 watts of lighting is added to the problem!

Recently, travelling the M6 from Cumbria to Southport at weekends, I have noticed more and more vehicles with badly adjusted beams, which serve to dazzle you - either as an oncoming hazard, or from behind. Last weekend there were several who simply failed to sip their lights at all.... WHY?
They ALL are easy to spot, and should be targeted for such time as they get the message!

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Time to take responsibility for our actions.. and don't be afraid of speaking out!

Seems fair enough to me.

As for dipping lights, I don't know why more isn't made of the control that pretty much all cars now have fitted for levelling the lights when carrying a heavy load in the back (or towing). Outside the industry I've not met many people who know what it's for or how to use it!

Also whilst moaning about lights, I've seen a cyclist a few times now (maybe it's not the same one) who has an INCREDIBLY bright light that seems to point all over the place (an in my eyes in particular)! Cycle lights never used to be a problem but these days, they're getting so powerful that I was wondering if it was time to have some kind of "MOT" test including alginment!

Blimey Mole, you have actually seen a cyclist with lights at night?

The advent of high efficiency LED lights has meant that bike lights can be very bright these days. How you police this given that there are no Construction and Use regulations for bikes is a more difficult one.

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Malcolm W.
The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not represent the views of Safespeed.

There are what are effectively construction and use regulations for road cycles and those very bright headlights are not approved for road use. The sales literature always has the caveat "for off road use only". (same as those 100w xenon bulbs that you can buy for cars). I suspect that the police are so pleased and surprised to see a well lit bicycle that turn a blind, or dazzled , eye to the rules.

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When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells
When I see a youth in a motor car I do d.c.brown

IIRC its illegal to dazzle somebody with your lights, so it's fine to use very bright lights, so long as they're pointing down sufficiently and do not dazzle.

I don't think so. The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations are quite prescriptive on cycle lights. They must conform to BS6102/3 or an equivalent EC standard. Those 50 watt lights do not so conform which is why they sold only for off road use.

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When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells
When I see a youth in a motor car I do d.c.brown

...no mention of a "victims' surcharge" then (unless it was the bit over £200 in the costs)?

mb

If you add up the total wattage of bicycle lights, then divide it by the number of bicycles there isn't enough light to dazzle a mole. Probably

Last on I saw was a plastic on patrol .

Perhaps to keep the more dedicated happy ,we should divide the collective noun "cyclist " into two - as we do with Saxo drivers

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lets bring sanity back to speed limits.
Drivers are like donkeys -they respond best to a carrot, not a stick .Road safety experts are like Asses - best kept covered up ,or sat on