Should cyclists be fined for not having lights on while cycling at night?

[glasgowcyclist]

No but if you had lights fitted and the visibility was poor, you could be fined for not using them.

The CTC suggests otherwise with this:

"Unlike other vehicles, pedal cycles are not required to light up when conditions of seriously reduced visibility occur in daytime. "
​

I haven't time right now to verify this, maybe tomorrow.

GC

 

[jay clock]

The CTC suggests otherwise with this:

"Unlike other vehicles, pedal cycles are not required to light up when conditions of seriously reduced visibility occur in daytime. "
​

I haven't time right now to verify this, maybe tomorrow.

GC

Bonkers if true. So if there is massive dark thunderclouds or rain, or an eclipse, you just cycle along with no lights. Seems mad

 

[totallyfixed]

Yes we have all seen it and some of us have been guilty of it too. I have. Now I think we need to take responsibility of our own actions and if we don't then the law should do.

I saw a guy cycling from Luton cycling in the pitch black Country lanes wearing nothing but black,with no lights on and no helmet too!!

I'm really sorry to have to point this out, but, you have missed one very critical point which had you been even the slightest bit observant [I am equally sure everyone else noticed too but are leaving it up to me]........................








Gears or fixed?

 

[Accy cyclist]

Whatever happened to those short public information films advising cyclists to be seen and be safe? The message about having to have lights should be shouted out loud by the government via the media,not by me having to shout to some unlit dimwit to get some effing lights on!

 

[ufkacbln]

Whatever happened to those short public information films advising cyclists to be seen and be safe? The message about having to have lights should be shouted out loud by the government via the media,not by me having to shout to some unlit dimwit to get some effing lights on!

Do you also shout at the motorists with no lights or faulty lights?

 

[shouldbeinbed]

@MontyVeda serious issues like punishment passes, near misses, left hooking, roundabout roulette, not taking helmet cam testimony of accidents & abuse and ?????? People on this forum can get very hot and bothered about things that the police have zero interest or proven effect in enforcing - doesn't mean they're not a serious issue.

Manchester Police do run their occasional Operation Grimaldi targeting road/pavement offences and advisory topics (controversial amongst cyclists 2:1 ratio of cars v bikes 'enforced' (last GMP figures I saw reported) 32:1 ratio of cars v bikes on the roads (TfGM figures from my last local cycling forum)) which amongst other things advises on bike lights, so they do take it seriously and enforce it as part of targeted operations - just like your example of drink driving at xmas.

The most recent GMP road operation was Op Gallileo which was vs motor vehicles which dealt amongst other things with out of date tax discs and not wearing seatbelts, again not master criminals nor a significant factor in the causes of accidents but still taken seriously as and when.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Do you also shout at the motorists with no lights or faulty lights?

Maybe not shout at cars, but don't we all try to warn a fellow road user if something is wrong? If I see a car with 1 failed or mismatched lights, I will make an effort to make them aware of it, whether I'm cycling or driving. I know from experience of my Qashqai's flaky record on headlamp bulbs, it can often be difficult to spot if the lights are both working properly in dull or early twilight conditions - piece of cake in proper dark, but its not often the car is used then.

TBH I tend not to bother shouting at lightless cyclists, as discussed elsewhere here recently, lights on cars aren't a matter of choice but if you've no lights on your bike it tends to be a deliberate thing, whilst I don't agree with the attitude I'm not going to get into a slanging match in the street over it.

I have and would again shout a word of advice to a cyclist with very dim lights or badly angled but working ones however as they're obviously making the effort to have them but maybe unaware from off the bike that their efforts aren't as good as they could be.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Is it time to mention the idea of buying a load of cheap flashers and giving them to unlit cyclists?

(I know its a jokey comment and the usual guff idea that pops up but to take it seriously for Soup's benefit)

There no marketing value in lights , where do you get your sponsor logo in?

Far better from a *get something back for giving something away angle* to dish out gaudily branded herd bibs at public mass participation events or certain motoring organisations victim blaming helping cyclists with stop and hand out bright yellow vests & mushroom hat events

 

[Accy cyclist]

Is it time to mention the idea of buying a load of cheap flashers and giving them to unlit cyclists?

They'd probably bin them when the batteries run out.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Do you also shout at the motorists with no lights or faulty lights?

Yes i have done in the past,but it's only effective if they're in a soft top or they have the window down. Otherwise i point towards the front of their car.

 

[jefmcg]

[QUOTE 3050551, member: 30090"]Yes they should, whether it should be top priority for a passing cop is another matter but it is the law.[/QUOTE]
So is having four pedal reflectors. Should that be enforced too?

 

[MontyVeda]

Bonkers if true. So if there is massive dark thunderclouds or rain, or an eclipse, you just cycle along with no lights. Seems mad

cars, motorbikes, trucks and buses all have lights permanently fitted, bicycles don't.... it's neither bonkers nor mad... it's just the way it is.

they even turn the street lights off if there's a proper eclipse!

 

[Crackle]

Has today's thread been posted yet?

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Its not a joke at all, I keep a pair of lights in my bag and offer them to people who have none. I get a range of responses, hostile, suspicious, grateful.

My apologies, I misinterpreted your post.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

So is having four pedal reflectors. Should that be enforced too?

Can anyone enlighten me when the pedal reflectors thing was signed into law and has it been tested in court against a case of clipless pedals?

It is one of those straw arguments that is used to diminish far more sensible points

P.S. I don't run clipless and every pedal I possess has the requisite reflectors.