Cylists without lights - disproportionately annoys me!!

Mupette

esuhl wrote: »

Of course it's not illegal to cycle without lights. You only need them if it's dark. There are several reasons that bikes are not sold with lights. Firstly, the vast majority of cycle journeys are made during daylight, and also (if I remember reading the figures correctly) most cyclists never cycle after dark. Secondly, there are a wide range of lights available and most cyclists would prefer to select their own. I have a pair of bright front lights (cost over US$90) for cycling off-road when it's pitch black, and a flashing LED with >180 degree visibility for the rare occasion I cycle on the road. My rear light cost £20 and I'm thinking of getting a second one as a backup in case it ever fails. If I had been forced to buy a £10 set of "city lights" from the bike retailer, I would have completely wasted my money; similarly, a city rider would have wasted their money if they bought the lights I have. It makes sense for the bike and lights to be sold separately.

As for helmets, I read that drivers are less likely to make a "mental connection" with cyclists wearing helmets, lycra or face-masks. A study showed that drivers empathise less if they cannot see the facial features of a cyclist (in the same way that some drivers are more agressive with each other when they get behind the wheel because it is harder to interpret other drivers' body language), and (without being aware that they are doing so) drivers tend to see cyclists wearing a helmet and/or lycra as more experienced, and therefore tend to leave them less room when overtaking. In addition, it was shown that in general (i.e. not specifically relating to cycling), wearing safety equipment often makes the wearer feel safer, and thus engage in more risky activity. It is far from proven that wearing a helmet makes you safer as a cyclist.

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BIKES
The main law for bikes is currently BS6102, probably soon to be superseded by new CEN standards, but this is for retail use only ie bikes must meet those minimum standards at the point of sale. Bikes ridden at night need front and rear lights, flashing or steady.
At night a bicycle must also be fitted with a red rear reflector (and amber pedal reflectors, if manufactured after 1/10/85).
At the point of sale (ie shops) bikes now have to come fitted with bells but there's no legal requirement for them to be fitted to bicycles no longer on shop display.
The Highway Code does not stipulate that bells must be used. It states: "Be considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians. Let them know you are there when necessary, for example by ringing your bell."
Another 'audible warning device' is the human voice: a polite 'excuse me' can often come across as a lot less aggressive than the apparently insistent tinkling of a bell. However, 'angry of Tunbridge Wells' type letters to newspapers continue to insist that cyclists - from church-hopping old maids to downhill mountain-bikers - ought to use bells, despite the fact their use often scares the bejesus out of pedestrians.
On the Continent, the use of bells is more widespread and pedestrians do not leap out of their skin when they hear a bicycle bell behind them. Perhaps, in time, the use of bicycle bells in the UK will once again mean cyclist approaching, please don't move to the side rather than oi, cyclist coming, get out of my way.

http://www.bikeforall.net/content/cycling_and_the_law.php


I'm a car driver, and yes people do cycle at night and some stupid enough on the road with no lights..... Is that my fault or thiers if i don't see them until it's too late.

marleyboy

My last bicycle not only had lights, it had brake lights and indicators just in case, if I ever was to be riding in the dark, would also wear high viability clothing. I think it more important to be visible for obvious reasons.

The most frightening moments I encountered, there was one time when I was in a Cycle lane in the City, a Lorry driver was aside me at this roundabout, as he turned I found myself between the wheels of his trailer trying to keep up, as there was no safety barrier on his trailer. It was sheer luck that I managed to get out of there, but he drove off completely oblivious.

Another time involved a car turning right at a junction, he just ignored me and headed straight for me, I ended up crashed against the kerb when he clipped my back wheel, As he sped off oblivious to me, a few people rushed over to my aid, all of them were offering to give statements or be witnesses, but I had to get to work so shrugged it off. It should have been a lesson to wear a helmet I guess, but I confess I never did.

As a driver, I know only too well how important visibility is. I remember two cyclists, riding side by side, up an unlit road, none of them had lights, both wore dark clothes, but one had at least a rear reflector, other than seeing this reflector, There was no way to know anyone was there.

This is getting very common now, especially in the City, whilst the majority of responsible cyclists ride safely, visibly and in accordance with the road, (not just shooting through lights, like some of em do :mad:). There are still those who do not realise just how invisible they are to traffic.

paddedjohn

Anyone cycling on the public highway should be insured and have a reg plate.

sillywilly

Rotor wrote: »

yes bells are essential..................OR...... you could use your voice to shout a cheery "excuse me"

Yes I think on these shared paths it is a lot more polite to actually say "excuse me" and if you are feeling especially polite you could even say "please" and then thank them when they move!

The reason I say this is once we were in Wilkinsons browsing. This biddy in a disability mobile came up behind us, we didn't see her. She blasted her horn - scared the pants off us. Turned round, saw her and moved. She had such a hateful look on her face as if the whole shop should just be her race track!

We pi55ed ourselves laughing, whilst she was in the vicinity I have to add.

Some people may think - oh she had a stroke - she can't speak. She bloody well could - she was just incredibly rude!

sillywilly

paddedjohn wrote: »

Anyone cycling on the public highway should be insured and have a reg plate.

This is a board about cyclists using lights at night time - where the hell is a reg plate meant to fit on a bike.

And whilst Insurance may seem a good idea to some simple people why do you think that isn't a rule?

The most basic insurance would be what - 3rd party, fire and theft.

Ahhh - the insurance companies think - theft! Hmm....

Think about it please

JuniorSherlock

sillywilly wrote: »

The craziest one I have seen though is foreigners near me, I think it must be some scam to actually cause accidents is cycling into traffic on the right hand side of the road with a red, rear light attatched to the front of the bike!! Have seen at least 10 people doing that near where I live and they must all be foreign. I know that sounds xenophobic and I don't care cos it's the truth.

Anyway - rant over.

You do come across as xenophobic with that comment sorry. Because they are foreigners they are obviously risking their lives in pursuit of a scam?

FYI, it is indeed illegal to ride a cycle at night without a rear and front light and as such, if they were to be hit they could not then sue the driver of the car. Therefore should they be risking their lives in order to get a bit of cash, they are failing spectacularly as all they would be entitled to is some free NHS treatment for their injuries.

Cycling without lights is a nuisance for car drivers and I've been taken by surprise once or twice when I suddenly catch a cyclist dressed in black cycling along the road in the dark with no lights. I sympathise with your anger there, but to made the rather spurious link between foreigners and a scam doesn't get my sympathy at all.

sillywilly

If anyone actually needs a light can thoroughly recommend this light
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=42801
- is what I use - delivered for just £5.99 - brilliant website with great service. Or a more powerful one for £7.95
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=42479
A very cheap front light - worth it just for the price of the bracket - £2.98 delivered
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=14822
Front and rear lights £11.95 delivered
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=42475

HTH

BTW - I have no affiliation with this site - have just used it before and found their prices, service and free delivery to be excellent.

sillywilly

JuniorSherlock wrote: »

You do come across as xenophobic with that comment sorry. Because they are foreigners they are obviously risking their lives in pursuit of a scam?

FYI, it is indeed illegal to ride a cycle at night without a rear and front light and as such, if they were to be hit they could not then sue the driver of the car. Therefore should they be risking their lives in order to get a bit of cash, they are failing spectacularly as all they would be entitled to is some free NHS treatment for their injuries.

Cycling without lights is a nuisance for car drivers and I've been taken by surprise once or twice when I suddenly catch a cyclist dressed in black cycling along the road in the dark with no lights. I sympathise with your anger there, but to made the rather spurious link between foreigners and a scam doesn't get my sympathy at all.

You have misread the post and it's tone unfortunately. What I stated was a fact. And the fact is that the people that I have witnessed doing this are foreign.

I try not to be cynical but it is hard when you are presented with the evidence. Technically they are not riding without lights either are they? Wrong side of road, light in wrong position (to catch drivers off guard who assume it is the back of a cyclist?)

Whether they are doing it to try and scam people or whether they are that stupid and ignorant that they ride on the wrong side of the road, towards uncoming traffic with a rear light placed on the front of the bike - I don't know.

clever_username

sillywilly wrote: »

This is a board about cyclists using lights at night time - where the hell is a reg plate meant to fit on a bike.

Anywhere on the frame!?

JuniorSherlock

What you have seen is fair enough. But it is not fact to assume that it is a scam.
A scam is when a car pulls off at a roundabout and then stops suddenly so that the car behind slams into them. That's a factual scam that has been reported on, used by British and foreign drivers.
I haven't heard of any scams by cyclists to force drivers to run them over, possibly seriously injuring them, so they can claim some compensation. I would have said that there are easier ways to get compo if that is what they are after.

It's pure speculation on your part, that's all.