Mouser

What is it with cyclists running with no back or front lights now the early dark nights are with us?

Surely a set of lights against the cost of a bike isn't out of the question.

Rant over.

Mouser.

corradoboy

'MOST' cyclists are tw@ts, end of, it's just at this time of year their tw@tish behaviour makes them even more vulnerable. I'd make it law that all cyclists of all ages must carry with them functioning lights at all times, and their use mandatory once street lighting kicks in. Failure to have them in their possession, or use them at the proper times would carry a large fine and possible forfeiture of the bike. Helmets and hi-vis/reflective clothing would be mandatory too, and the cycling proficiency test on the school curriculum. Kids under 12 should be restricted to 30mph roads, and when over 12 an advanced CPT allied to completion of the DSA Highway Code Pt.1 hazard & theory tests, and compulsory 3rd party insurance would be required to use 30+mph roads. A basic license which carried penalty points applicable to proper driving licenses would be considered too, and maybe a bike MOT to ensure they are mechanically safe and legally suitable for use on the public highway. It really is farcical that we allow anyone of ANY age to put themselves into such danger with no training, qualification, proper equipment or financial cover. Parents who've given their children bikes and not instilled in them proper training and understanding of the rules and laws, and massive dangers applicable on todays busy roads are idiots, and as idiots they would no doubt be very upset and the first to complain when their beloved ends up under a 38 tonne truck doing 60mph !

Leslie

They only seem to be happy when they are being awkward or breaking the law!

Les

dunx

iTrader: (3)

Fine except that modern cars insulate drivers to the point that they are driving "tanks" and have the same level of respect for anything in their path....

Yup I ride a bike too ! Two sets of LED lights ( spaced vertically to avoid confusing the "simples" ). But agree about the insurance. No lights is a valid "score" IMHO.

dunx

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

You could fit floodlights and some drivers still wouldn't see you or care to look

Mouser

Are the "blinking" back and front lights illegal?

Mouser.

dpb

Its kids on bmx usually in threes ( read 18 year oles ) at junctions who get me - still theyll learn the hard way one these days

r32

A few stupid generalisations here.
I am a car driver, motorcyclist and cyclist. If I ride at night I have a rather bright HID front light and at least two or three rear lights.

Blinking or flashing lights are not legal on their own, there should be a continuous white light to the front and a continuous red light to the rear.

I do agree some cyclists dont help themselves, but you need to get out on a bike to understand how bad and dangerous some vehicle drivers are. They are not all stunning drivers like you lot.

scarey

"blinking lights" are illegal but the police tend to use brains and allow them.

My office is in countryside and alot of unlit roads arouund here.

Blinking lights you spot, normal lights are difficult to spot, and invisable when faced by a modern car coming towards you with HID lights or similar.
All types of lights are invisable when your jacket/coat/day-glo thingummy etc... hangs down to obscure the rear light!

Since hour changed seen alot of "unlit" cyclists on the un-lit roads around here, especially groups of kids in dark clothing. Darwin's evolution will get them!

No offense to cyclists but especially on un-lit back roads being lit up like an xmas tree is best!

Leslie

I have to disagree. I find that the flashing lights, certainly the red ones are less noticeable than the steady rear lights. A proper steady rear light of sufficient size is the safest light to have, and I say that from the point of view of the motorist and motor cycle rider who needs to be able to see it.

If you want to be all modern with the flashing rear light, good luck to you, but you would be well advised to have a steady one as well according to what the police say.

Les

corradoboy

When the flashers first came out the Police stated that although they don't comply with regulations, they fully appreciate the safety benefit and if used in conjunction with a static light there would be no problem.

scarey

Leslie,

tbh yup I agree with you, but only having a small light, especially rear light, make the poor buggers almost invisable, especially with on coming headlights.

LC Geezer

Ah well. Soon it'll be the car drivers fault when they hit a cylcist even if the tw@t has no lights on in the dark, is wearing black clothing, running a red light, cycling the wrong way up a one way street.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

All cyclists are Tw@ts, charming !

Any "Tw@t" can buy a bike and ride it wherever they want, unlit, in dark clothing, p1ssed and the wrong way up a one way, I am a Tw@t, sorry I am a cyclist and it annoys the f*ck out of me as well.

I see teenagers on BMX's sat **** on the floor, old codgers on Raleigh shoppers on the pavement and guess what it isnt my fault as it is not the fault of all other responsible cyclists, I run two front lights, one steady the other flashing, cost £185 for the pair, at the rear three, one on steady and two flashers and also one on my bar end, I wear hi-viz and really try to avoid causing motorists any inconvenience or myself injury, I dont run red lights, block lanes (except very occasionally to turn right) or ride on the pavement, I am not only happy when I am breaking the law or being awkward, the less interactions I have with two tonne motorised machines when on a bike the better.

Most drivers are really quite considerate, occasional dozy one and very few actually wanting to kill you, the lights help, massively, makes me visible and sends a message that I take it seriously so perhaps they should, if you ride at night without lights dont expect any consideration as you dont deserve it.

Cyclsing is enjoyable, and guess what, in a few years more people will be at it, cars are now getting smaller, being taxed more heavilly and I suspect that it will only get worse, the car is a great thing but people mis-use it and life revolves around it too much, it is really quite lierating reducing your dependance on it, maybe you should try it, now, before you have to or suffer public transport and electric noddy cars.

StickyMicky

The first time i saw some flashing bike lights i nearly crashed myself

WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY!, country lane was unlit and it looked like i was about to be abducted .

dpb

Has anyone EVER been prosecuted for having flashers alone ? - i for one have never had a fixed alongside as well .


I really dont believe for one moment joe public might confuse you for a low flying plane/helicopter

corradoboy

Has any cyclist ever been prosecuted for ANY traffic offence ? Red lights, one ways, pedestrian crossings, no lights, using pavements etc etc etc. I see them all, regularly, daily, and apparently completely ignored by all officers of the law

dpb

Mate of mine was done for riding down a one way street four sheets to the wind , i believe

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

You should stop your generalisations at some point you know.

YES cyclists have been prosecuted for committing offenses on the road. London Police have been targetting well known junctions and catching the idiot RLJ in the act, and fining them on the spot.

(another tw@t here and I have all the hi-viz, seriously expensive lights (well in excess of £200) yada, yada and just like j4cko: ride like as part of the traffic)

Just for the record - all the idiots you see simply put those of us who DO obey the law at more risk from people who make ridiculous generalisations based on a minority

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

On my daily commute there is a purpose built 5 mile section of cycle path alongside a dual carriage-way. Guess what....there are ***** that still cycle on the dual carriage-way causing tail-backs and potential accidents

hux309

Oh were ***** now, you get black sheep in all walks of life so don't tar us all with the same brush, plus you're encased in a metal shell so a lot of 'us' have to ride defensively.

If it makes you feel any better i have these two lighting up my bike, the rear makes drivers pass me 3-4 feet away rather than 3-4 inches make of that what you will.

I sort of have and trust me if they don't notice me the high setting always gets their attention.

As for flashing lights they are now perfectly legal.

http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4071

Troutelight Lumen Liberator | MTB General | Mountain Bike | Forums - BikeRadar

RSP Astrum Rear Light - Only £19.95 - Worldwide Cycling Mail Order Specialists and Consultants - Parker International

dpb

its not illegal to cycle on teh road is it ?

I will always cycle on the road if possible since the car will generally make a hole in the air for you ...

unless of course its some dithering idiot who wont overtake untill theres room to leave at least a 10' envelope - sound familiar ?

dunx

iTrader: (3)

I have one on steady and one flashing ( front and rear)....

There is apparently the offence of "furious cycling" ??? LOL

dunx

P.S. If you can't see ahead f*cking slow down anyway.... bloody car drivers

corradoboy

Edited my post to be less offensive to the few cyclists whom do have a foofing clue !

zs_phil

iTrader: (1)

i find that the traffic around here notices blinking lights more ,im a cyclist and also wear a high vis jacket and bright blue waterproof bottoms as the weather is terrible ,i nearly got taken out by a hgv in broad daylight he was travelling well over the 30mph speed limit too .
when you are a cyclist and drive a car you notice cyclists even more than the people who think cyclists should be banned from the road .

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

I will always use the designated Cycle Path if it is suitable, someties however they fall into disrepair and are covered in glass, Dog ****, Pedestrians and whatever, I wouldnt ride on a Dual carriageway though, but sometimes the path is worse than the road. Sorry but apart from motorways cyclists have every right to ride on any road they choose, just chill and think how often and for how long do you get held up by a cyclist for, my guess its seconds, occasionally, sometimes inconsiderate roadies riding two abreast p1ss us all off, see cos I drive a car as well but then think how much time you spend behind other cars in traffic, if all those drivers were on bikes I wonder how much faster the traffic would flow ? go to Veitnam or China and see how many people they move in a town centre at rush hour compared to over here, but then, over here we are all important and special, not just another punter, for gods sake I drive an Audi/BMW/Mercedes/Porsche/Lexus so I am more important than you on your bicycle !!!




Yeah, right

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Corraddoboy, I appreciate your edit but it should be,

'SOME' cyclists are tw@ts as are SOME drivers, lets root them out regardless of transport mode and re-educate them appropriately and impress on them that their actions have consequences for others.

corradoboy

Unfortunately, it is my firm belief that the 'some' you refer to is actually 'most'. I do however feel the same about 'most' car drivers too, and it is my job to try and make sure as many new drivers as I can are better than the majority I see.

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Liking your lights Hux309

I ride a cycle like I do a motorbike - defensively but agressively. IE if I want to change lane, I will turn my head, eyeball the driver & once I see he is awake, point, then move. Sod driving 1ft from the gutter, 3 or 4 is better as the ***** can't so easily force you into the gutter. Also find I move off very slowly from the ASL if there is a tw@t I've caught in traffic that has previously cut me up

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Oh & legally lighted and since my stop the other month by the plod, follow the law regarding stopping for traffic lights etc..