New lighting on my bike. Legal or not ? Help

[Mr.Dave66]

I'm new to this forum,
So I'm 16 years old and I really enjoy cycling, currently I mainly cycle on pavements as I'm a bit afraid to go on a busy road. Recently I've bought some new LED lighting for my bike as I cycle a lot during late hours, I have installed BLUE LED's on my wheel front and back, (http://dpegb9ebondhq.cloudfront.net/product_photos/3934685/ScreenShot003_original.jpg)
and also I have bough a back light, however its not red but it's blue lighting with 2 lasers : (http://tritrade.ie/retailers/images/laserlight1.jpg) and my question here is I'm I allowed to really use them or can I get a penalty for using those ? ( As I said i mainly cycle on pavements and in parks during late hours)

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

You cycle on pavements and worry if your lights are legal?

 

[Drago]

Provided you got red at the rear, white at the front, and you're not causing cataracts with a badly diffused or aimed beam, then no one will care.

 

[ufkacbln]

The rules on blue lights are simple..... only Emergency Vehicles can display or use them

After that it is a grey area.

Whilst there are specific regulations describing brightness, type etc (Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations), the practical point is that few of the lights available are marked to comply.

As above, the Police are unlikely to pull you over if you have a red rear and white front light.

In fact I used a pair of Dinotte lights (very bright) on both the front and rear of one of my bikes when I was stopped by a Police Inspector because he wanted details so he could get some for his bike.

I explained that they were technically illegal, but for that reason I used a pair of cheap lights that conformed with RVLR, and these were a backup. He was clear that none of his crews would have stopped me for the lights.

 

[Chris S]

The LEDs in my Poundland white light are so low quality that they look blue. It's not unsual for vehicles in front of me to pull over when I've got it on flashing mode.

 

[robrich]

You're 16 and you're cycling. Continue like this to your heart's content and have fun.

When (if) you ever get stopped by the police about your illuminations, come back and post the details and I'm sure people on here will sort it out from there.

 

[IncoherentJeff]

Not sure on blue lights but atleast you have lights it's a good start.

Nearly hit someone wearing all black on a black bmx with no reflectors or lights one evening in Witney afew years back.
Was glad to see the police start pulling people with no lights with a £30 fine unless could later prove you've got some lights ( http://m.oxfordtimes.co.uk/news/9344018.City_cyclists_fined_for_having_no_lights/ ).
With only a £30 fine for no lights I'm guessing illegal lights would just result in the police giving advice.

As for cycling on the pavement as long as you respect the other path users, it's not something I do but I don't have a problem with it if the roads dangerous or you're lacking in road confidence.

The Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport said "enforcing laws which prohibit cycling on the pavement is a matter for police, but added that discretion should be exercised “where a cyclist is using the pavement alongside a dangerous section of road out of fear of the traffic”." ( http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...oads-are-dangerous-minister-tells-police.html )