Lights On Your Bike After Dark

[Arfcollins]

Like so many rules / laws pertaining to bicycles in this country they are completely out of date, this has come up many times before [often by me ] but pedal reflectors, really. It's about time someone,.and I have no idea who it is, the Transport Minister maybe? Anyway gets a grip of these antiquated laws and writes down some sensible, practical stuff, it really shouldn't be that difficult.

Don't see the problem with pedal reflectors. They may be a bit unfashionable for some, but they are very visible because of the movement. I don't have them as I have Shimano pedals, but I wear reflective ankle bands instead. Sensible and practical.

 

[slowmotion]

Strange. I asked this question a month or two ago. Can you be fined and whats the penalty for no lights.

I believe that the maximum penalty is Death or quadriplegia. Is that enough to persuade you to get some or are you an optimist?

 

[snorri]

If you survive you leave yourself open to a £30 Fixed Penalty for cycling without lights.
Some light reading on cycling and the Law........

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/lights-on-your-bike-after-dark.117133/post-2138984

http://www.bikehub.co.uk/featured-articles/cycling-and-the-law/

 

[ufkacbln]

30 mins after official sunset, or when visibility is seriously reduced.

Colleague of mine used to ride to the Hayling Island Ferry, cross over and travel to the Hospital

She was using lights to the Ferry and then conserving the batteries by not using them on this isde.

She was stopped for "not having lights" and told the PC that he was being an arse because she didn't need them... bright sunny morning and after Sunrise. He gave her a ticket, and she refused to pay.

Went to Court where the PC declared that in his opinion that visibility was reduced and therefore she should have had lights on.

Try as she might, even with witnesses it came down to the PC's assessment of the lighting conditions and she had to pay up.

 

[subaqua]

Colleague of mine used to ride to the Hayling Island Ferry, cross over and travel to the Hospital

She was using lights to the Ferry and then conserving the batteries by not using them on this isde.

She was stopped for "not having lights" and told the PC that he was being an arse because she didn't need them... bright sunny morning and after Sunrise. He gave her a ticket, and she refused to pay.

Went to Court where the PC declared that in his opinion that visibility was reduced and therefore she should have had lights on.

Try as she might, even with witnesses it came down to the PC's assessment of the lighting conditions and she had to pay up.

every force has one it seems. although usually they have been promoted to Chief constable

 

[subaqua]

Yes but in this story it went to court. The clerk could have read the bit of law being cited and said "hang about, this doesn't mention bicycles"

you assume the clerk also knows the laws and how to apply them. and the first line of the CPS are included in this

 

[Maz]

Colleague of mine used to ride to the Hayling Island Ferry, cross over and travel to the Hospital

She was using lights to the Ferry and then conserving the batteries by not using them on this isde.

She was stopped for "not having lights" and told the PC that he was being an arse because she didn't need them... bright sunny morning and after Sunrise. He gave her a ticket, and she refused to pay.

Went to Court where the PC declared that in his opinion that visibility was reduced and therefore she should have had lights on.

Try as she might, even with witnesses it came down to the PC's assessment of the lighting conditions and she had to pay up.

I refer you to Post #30.

 

[gambatte]

I believe that the maximum penalty is Death or quadriplegia. Is that enough to persuade you to get some or are you an optimist?

I have them aplenty. 2 front, 2 rear fixed to the bike. Plus a 2 LED flashing repeater in the helmet vents. Those and a high viz gilet...
Thought it was obvious my problem was with others not having lights or brakes?

 

[subaqua]

I am assuming that the clerk would have at least a cursory glance at the act specified in the charge. Would the CPS have been involved?

if it goes to court I assume they would. IANAL so not a clue of the machinations of getting somebody to court.

 

[ManiaMuse]

Yes. Police in Oxford having been fining student cyclists without lights for years. Although they wil refund it if they present a receipt showing they bought a set of lights within 7 days or something.

If you get knocked off after dark with no lights you might have a harder time claiming compensation though.

 

[peppyuk]

Sod the bloody fine, stay alive and get your lights on!

 

[Monsieur]

No lights on a bicycle after dark?
Why?
A candidate for the darwin awards maybe?

 

[Wester]

So a £30 penalty it is if the Police caught you without no lights when you should by law have them and have them on

 

[davefb]

*shudder* pedal reflectors are great.. they're obviously BIKE!
I once was driving near my house... and approaching the junction was annoyed at the cyclist with no lights going away from me... but thought "good job he's got pedal reflectors as thats all I can see"

it wasn't , as I got closer ( yay for 20mph zones) it was a VERY young child riding towards me in the nearside gutter...

god knows if i'd have hit him if he'd not got those on... ( no lights, darkish clothes).. ( and i bet it was the same family of the kid who hit the side of my car after i'd stopped for his sister flying out of a side street.... GAH!)

 

[Aushiker]

Like so many rules / laws pertaining to bicycles in this country they are completely out of date, this has come up many times before [often by me ] but pedal reflectors, really.

I don't feel so bad now. We have the pedal reflector issue as well which is made worse as it is a State law .. the rest of Australia does not have this silly requirement.

Andrew