Safe Speed Forums

It's that time of year again when cyclists are out and about during the early evening, often in darkness. I see so many that do not have lights, and there are probably others I don't see because they don't have lights. This is especially hazardous along unlit routes like canal towpaths which form part of the national cycle network.

My two questions are:

• Why are cyclists so complacent about their own safety?
• Why isn't more done to encourage cyclists to use lights, in compliance with the law?

Whenever I've asked this in the company of friends, I'm told either that cyclists "can't afford" lighting because it's "too expensive", or that the cyclists are afraid of their lights being stolen.

But a set of lights can be had for around £15. I have this front light on my Sirrus road bike (cost £8.80), and a rear light something like this, currently available for £3.80, on the back. I realise theft is always a constant threat, but these lights can be unclipped and removed when the bike is left unattended.

I could have put this in the Cycling forum, but would like to reach the entire SS community.

Because they have an SEF field around their bikes. If they get hurt it's Somebody Else's Fault.

It was very foggy round my way the other morning (discussed on here in another thread) and still pretty dark at 7am when I went to work but, yes, I came upon a cyclist in fog, in the dark with no lights.

Suicidal stupidity, that's why they don't have lights.

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

They perceive themselves as pedestrians on wheels, not as road vehicles.

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"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

I narrowly missed one such cyclist a couple of winters ago on a dark night on a stretch of road covered by overhanging trees -- No lights, no reflectors, and dark clothing. I had a caravan on tow at the time. By the time I'd swerved over I must have only just missed him with the trailer by a few inches.

And while we're at it with "laws the police don't seem to bother about any more," how about all the cars parked on the wrong side of the road after dark?

The answer may be that government have convnced them that every accident is caused by a speeding driver.

The truth is that nearly all accidents have 3 or more causes...
pedestrian in dark clothing crosses at a bad location just as a motorist is distracted by a cyclist with no lights

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Speed limit sign radio interview. TV Snap Unhappy
“It has never been the rule in this country – I hope it never will be - that suspected criminal offences must automatically be the subject of prosecution” He added that there should be a prosecution: “wherever it appears that the offence or the circumstances of its commission is or are of such a character that a prosecution in respect thereof is required in the public interest”
This approach has been endorsed by Attorney General ever since 1951. CPS Code

When I was just a lad, you got STOPPED and spoken to severely for NOT USING LIGHTS, RIDING on the PAVEMENT, and on Southsea seafront, I got stopped for riding on the promenade when it was nearly deserted!

Unless somebody enforces these laws, it simply becomes a free for all.

The last time I heard of anyone being stopped on a bike, it was our postman, who was riding on the pavement at 5.00 am in Kendal about 5 years ago!!

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

I don't know. This is a major worry of mine too. And if you are stranded with lights nicked/flat batteries or whatever, at least make sure you have a rear reflector! Otherwise it's just suicide.

Legal Requirements

In the UK, bikes must conform to the pedal cycles (construction and use) regulations and the road vehicle lighting regulations. To be used at night, a bike must have:

One steady, fixed white light, marked BS6102/3 (or equivalent), positioned centrally or offside, up to 1500mm from the ground, aligned towards and visible from the front.

One steady, fixed red light, marked BS3648 or BS6102/3 (or equivalent), positioned centrally or offside, between 350mm and 1500mm from the ground, at or near the rear, aligned towards and visible from behind.

One reflector, coloured red, marked BS6102/2 (or equivalent), positioned centrally or offside, between 350mm and 900mm from the ground, at or near the rear, aligned towards and visible from behind.

Four reflectors, coloured amber and marked BS6102/2 (or equivalent), positioned so that one is plainly visible to the front and another to the rear of each pedal.

There are exemptions for older bikes; pre-1990, the light output from the front light to meet the required standard is much lower, and pre-1985, the pedal reflectors are not required. Note that there is no exemption for step-in (or quill) pedals1, which are popular on mountain bikes and almost universal amongst racers and tourists. No pedal reflectors, no night riding - legally, at least.

Flashing-red rear lights are also illegal in the UK, despite being between three and five times more visible. The lighting regulations, which cover both these and the pedal reflectors, are under review, so this may change.

In addition, various regulations pertaining to the sale of bicycles have led to the fitting of white front-reflectors (mainly because cyclists often fail to fit lights) and spoke-mounted wheel-reflectors, which are worthless in almost all situations. They can break spokes and unbalance the wheels. These are not covered by the lighting regulations. Remove them as you see fit.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A686784

Try turning this round..... it is the use of headlights on cars and bikes that is the problem in urban streets after dark.

I think the campaign to get people to put on headlights in urban traffic was one of the most misguided idiocies ever generated by the traffic management 'experts'. Not just on bike but cars. It's now probably irreversible and, in many vehicles, they are even hard wired.

Imagine a rainy night under street lights. When motor vehicles are moving on sidelights, you can see every car, you can also see pedestrians, kerbstones, traffic islands and potholes in the road.

Now the same scene with dipped headlights (some with better dip angles than others). Now all you can see are headlights, including headlights reflected off the shiny road surface, and headlights that are flaring up the on your wet windscreen. The only way you can see cyclists and pedestrians is by the silhouette of dark figures flickering past the lights, the only way you can see kerbstones (especially those accursed ones that zigzag in and out as a 'traffic calming' measure) is if you get a glint of light off the stones from a headlamp.

I would reckon this moronic use of headlamps 'campaign' is likely to have killed more people than it has saved.

This post contains sarcasm or traces of irony...

Why should they? If they get hit by a car then they'll most likely come off worst and therefore will only have themselves to blame. Surely they have a right to decide what measures they take for their own safety?

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Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical, liberal minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.

They do.

Have you ever had an incident due to failing to see an unlit cyclist?

More sarcasm...

Not yet. Therefore I am inclined to be of the opnion that anything that hasn't affected me yet is unlikely to affect me, or anyone close to me, at all. Therefore I can dismiss it.

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Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical, liberal minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.

You write as if no cyclist equips lights and all are complacent about their own safty.

Nine out of 10 that I see do equip lights, many wear jackets and helmets, and make themselves very visible.



The number of car drivers I see breaking the law is phenomenal. I travel at a max 30 mph in 30mph zones and I'm often overtaken.

Love it!

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It's tricky doing nothing - you never know when you're finished

You don't live in Portsmouth do you.
I reckon one in 4 uses any form of illumination during darkness (certainly less than 1 in 2, yes I sometimes count them when I'm out).
I always use lights, bright buggers too! There was a blackout in my area not too long ago. Needless to say I couldn't post so I went out for a bike ride. I could clearly identify the road and hazards on front of me, everyone else had to get off their bike, how smug did I feel An extreme few wear high-vis jackets, probably about 1 in 100. I would be seriously impressed if you can do 30mph while wearing one!

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Views expressed are personal opinions and are not necessarily shared by the Safe Speed campaign

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/em2005/uksiem_20052559_en.pdf

Yeah, I (only just) see this paperboy every morning in the dark, who's attempt to make himself visible is a hi-vis back pack. On an NSL A road.

As someone else has pointed out, you all comment as if everyone who cycles fails to use lights. I bike daily to and from work and do have lights (both front and back, both flashing) - please don't tarnish us all with the same brush.

For what it's worth, the route I cycle in the evening has plent of cyclists on it, at least 2/3 have lights, and maybe 1/10 have high vis jackets.

i'll assume for now you mean why do 'some' cyclists....

in my experience no amount of cycle lighting and reflectiveness, juggling with glow in the dark balls etc guaruntees a driver will see you.

i guess as per an earlier cycling rant thread, there are equivalent foolish/lazy misdemeanors for all road users.