Cylists without lights - disproportionately annoys me!!

Gloomendoom

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.

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

Bikes have to be registered and show reg plates in quite a few other countries...

Gloomendoom

sillywilly wrote: »

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.

You are probably right. In some places overseas, riding facing the traffic is the accepted norm.

Just like in the UK you are supposed to walk along the right hand side of a road facing the traffic... if you have any sense.

marleyboy

clever_username wrote: »

Anywhere on the frame!?

I was thinking on their helmet

clever_username

marleyboy wrote: »

I was thinking on their helmet

I'd love to see a cyclist with a standard car size numberplate on the front and back of their helmet.

rev_henry

I cycle a lot in Manchester, and get very annoyed by other cyclists without lights. I mean, do they have a death wish or something? I must say I don't wear a helmet as its just another thing to carry around with me all day and spend time putting on and taking off, when my usual trip is only 2 miles.

marleyboy

rev_henry

That's very good. I have to admit though that my bike is old and doesn't have a rear red reflector or spoke reflectors, and has bits of the pedal reflectors broken off. Might even be old enough to not need them tbh but I doubt it. I do always wear a hi viz vest though, and lights when its dark.

esuhl

Bunting wrote: »

In reply to esuhl - most car journeys are in daylight, but you can't buy a car without lights!!:D

Just think about it...

• Most bicycles will not be used at night (according to an article I read). In my experience I don't know anyone with a car that hasn't been used at night.
• Cars tend to travel faster than bicycles, and as such, need to be designed to minimise air resistance and reduce the chance of injury in a collision with a pedestrian. Integral lights solve both of these problems.
• It is clearly more dangerous if a light falls off a car whilst travelling than if one falls off a bike. Integral lights reduce the possibility of them becoming detached.
• Car lights are of a pretty fixed specification: you don't get a choice of dimly flashing "city" lights or bright "off-road" lights for a car, so integral lights are not usually seen as limiting consumer choice.
• Car lights are bigger, heavier and more expensive than cycle lights. If they were easily detachable like bike lights, they would be a target for thieves and difficult for car owners to carry in their pockets when they go shopping.

There are many reasons that car lights are integrated and bicycle lights are not.

Mupette wrote: »

Isn't it against the law for cycling without lights..?

esuhl wrote: »

Of course it's not illegal to cycle without lights. You only need them if it's dark.

Mupette wrote: »

Bikes ridden at night need front and rear lights...

I'm glad you've come to your senses.

moneyuser

sillywilly wrote: »

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!

I ping my bell twice 20-30 metres away which gives peds plenty of time to see me. I then say thankyou as I pass. This works well.

If I was to say excuse me I would have to shout quite loud at that sort of distance. Otherwise I would have to wait until I was only 10 metres away (I can't project very well) and then they would jump out the way.

paddedjohn

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.

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

i have thought about it and it is a good idea, number plates dont need to be the same size as on a car and it would help identify the clowns who think its ok to ride on the pavements or jump the red light etc. (or foreigners riding with a red light on the front in the outside lane)
Why shouldnt cyclists have 3rd party insurance? They do cause accidents and damage, i need it to use my van/car/scooter on the public highway.

And i know this is a thread about lights on bikes but that didnt stop you wittering on about helmets did it;)