Cycle Lights

[Wispy68]

Call me old fashioned, but why don't most young cyclists use lights on their bikes anymore? Is it just that it's not cool? I've had two near misses with lunatic cyclists whilst driving in the dark and no doubt it would be 'my fault' if I happened to have a collision with a cyclist not using lights. Is it still illegal are the police really bothered about it?

[sddsddean]

Don't just limit it to the young Nicola. The vast majority of people ride bikes without lights. The number I almost hit with my truck must be at least a dozen a month. Of course with Winter coming it will be worse. I think it is summed up in your last line. It is illegal, but the police have better things to do (like catching speeding trucks/cars). I did hear of a local bloke who was prosecuted for using one of those flashing rear lights. Now I think these are great, as you notice a flashing light more than a static one. The police did him, as it was not on all the time! What about all those who haven't got any lights. Is it me?

[cupra]

It's plain stupid not to use lights these days considering how cheap they are (and how good). A few years ago I went to the extreme and brought a �200 set when I used to cycle to work (down unlit lanes and accross playing fields), and once got stopped by the police who initially thought I was riding a Mbike across said playing field!

[Wispy68]

I suppose that does sound a bit ageist, but it seems to me that most unlit cyclists are young. Tartanwizard, your 'road mince' expression had me in stitches. Never heard that one before. My daughter wondered what the hell I was laughing at!

[andy hughes]

I wonder if cyclists are unaware of just how hard they are to see without lights? If you walk down a lit road in the dark, it's perfectly possible to see where you are going - but if you drive down the road, it is almost impossible to see cyclists - who are probably unaware of that simple fact. I have pulled up along cyclists and advised them that they are invisible without lights on, but just get abuse! Education is probably the answer here, but that's another area altogether.

[Pinotage]

Bicycle lights are a real problem.

 

They are big and heavy, made even heavier by the batteries. When you leave your bike the lights get stolen. If you screw them and damage the thread then the batteries get stolen. So you have to take them with you - plus the cover to the battery compartment otherwise that gets stolen.

 

The answer seems to me to allow the use of those small bright flashing LEDs. But they are illegal fixed to the bike.

 

Yes its illegal to ride without lights, but more important, its risking your life as motorists find it hard enough to see cyclists even on bright clear days

[Kelvin]

They don't feel they need to when the little b*****'s only cycle on the pavement, completely unpunished by the police.

[Stoofur]

Why are bikes not fitted with lights as part of the frame. This would mean that everyone would have lights and there would be no lights being nicked off there bikes. I mean you don't have to buy the lights for your car or motorbike.

[Traceyyy]

Yes the police are still bothered about it, as they proved when they drove past a group of youngsters throwing fireworks to have words with my son who was cycling along a foothpath after work without his cycle lights (which had been left at home when he left in a hurry) now he kind of wishes he was the type of 16 yr old to hang around the streets getting into bother instead of getting an evening job and some self esteem Traceyyy 15/11/02