Cycling in the Dark

Hello,

I had recently a discussion with a colleague in Amsterdam about the issue of cyclists without lights during the night. Apparently this was a widespread problem there that I was told got resolved only after the authorities started ticketing people…

Myself I have encountered during complete darkness young people riding across route 544 in dark cycles and clothing, as well as cyclists with blinding lights.

I am not sure if site security can address this issue, but it may be a start.

Although flashing lights are now legal, they’re not always a good idea. If they’re the only thing visible (i.e. if you’ve got no other lighting and the ambient light isn’t sufficient for you or your bike to be seen), then it makes it difficult for other road users to judge distance and closing speed, which is bad news if they’re emerging from a junction and you’re closer and faster than they assess / assume.

If your rear light has a short flash and a long gap, then during the gap you’re effectively invisible. Recently, when driving lateish one evening on the A4185 towards Rowstock, I overtook a couple of cyclists. The one on the inside had a constant rear light and was fine; the one on the outside was flashing. It was very disconcerting knowing that there was a second cyclist present but being completely unable to see him / her and judge how much room to give. (Yes, ‘lots’.) On country roads at night I’m persuaded that at least one constant light (or a ‘travelling’ flasher, where different LEDs light up in sequence) back and front is best.

Good morning,

I wrote to someone about this about five years ago. The correspondence is at the bottom. I now have personal liability insurance BTW.

This is always a concern this time of year. I nearly had two kids off along by the volunteer a few years ago as I came over the bridge. No lights and all dressed in black. The only thing that saved them was the amber reflectors on their pedals, otherwise I would have collided with them. I did an emergency stop and missed by a few feet. It was terrifying but if I had knocked them off I would have been lynched. Knocking kids off scares me the most. Apparently it was (and probably still is) not a police priority. Basically for statistical reasons though one death is a bad statistic – surely.

I do not know how to raise awareness unless many other people feel the same and contact local authorities. It also might be an idea for any of you who have kids in school to actually contact the schools as younger people are bad with this.

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Dear Mr Harris,

Yes, I can appreciate your concerns and feel I know just where you’re coming from! We do have occasional crack-downs with the police where we stop cyclists without lights and they can avoid the fine if they purchase lights and demonstrate they have fitted them. However it is an epidemic and I understand not a police priority’ partially because, despite perceptions, not having lights is not a big cause of serious injury to cyclists (we appreciate many cycle accidents go unreported although we are likely to be aware of more of the more serious ones). We spend a lot of effort in cycle training for school children and see this more as a safety training than anything else at a time hopefully minds are still open.

Regards
Geoff
Geoff Barrell
Principal Engineer
Road Safety / Traffic Engineering
Tel 01865 810450

________________________________________
From: Harris, MJ (Michael) [mailto:M.J.Harris@rl.ac.uk]
Sent: 20 February 2008 15:22
To: Barrell, Geoff – Environment & Economy, Road Safety
Subject: Cyclists without lights at night.

Dear Mr. Barrel,

I am just perusing some local cycling pages during a spare moment and found this web page for cycling safety in our area.
I thought of posing a question about cycle safety at night, which I believe is a serious issue and a big problem that I have noticed locally and quite likely it is a national problem as well. It concerns the number of cyclists without lights, either at night or in poor visibility conditions.

I am well lit up when I am on my bike and I also use a fluorescent top, not only for obvious safety reasons but it is also supposed to be the law to be well lit and visible at night.

If I fail to see an unlit cyclist while in my car, and most of them are young people who’s parents should know better, I doubt I would come out very well in court. I am very worried about it.

I would like to see an amnesty or crack down on this, with fines and stiff letters sent to parents. Modern LED lights are so dirt cheap, so there is no excuse for not fitting them.

I would also like cyclists to carry more liability. As a cyclist myself, I would happily take out extra insurance to cover me on my bike and any third parties. I doubt it would be too expensive. I could add it onto my motor insurance, life insurance or household. With young people the parents should be liable.

Thank you for your time,

Michael Harris.

They say in Health & Safety lectures that avoiding an accident is better than wearing protective clothing. So lghts & bright clothes “trump” helmets. In my opinion flashing lights are possibly better in “dusk” type conditions, but in the dark you need (ideally at least) one steady rear light and one flashing (possibly body worn) light and at the front a steady light. And also that there should be properly charged batteries – a “glow worm” is as bad a nothing and gives a false sense of security.

Michael

The SHE people might be able to help with this Emily.
They have written news items about summer/winter safety that include cycling specific advice, though only twice a year as far as I can tell so not a massive cycle safety campaign.
Maybe they can get security on it? Or even just get some official posters made to put in the bike sheds etc.