Watch out for people on bikes in the dark months especially.

[LisbethSalandersPan]

So the clocks change this weekend, and darkness on the roads comes early.

I think this is an annual request from me to MN drivers to bear in mind the fact that we as folks who ride bikes are pretty vulnerable usually, and more so for the next few months. Windscreens get fogged up, rain comes down, wipers are going, and people just want to get home.

But even the best lit up/legally lit up rider can be difficult to see from a driver's POV (and most adult commuters are also drivers of cars) at times.

So it's a request for drivers to bring an extra awareness to their driving pratices, to recognise that your fellow road users are around you, usually to your left hand side and that we need to be seen by you to avoid nasty outcomes.

I don't think I am being unreasonable?

Sorry. Most adult commuters on bikes are also car drivers...there.

Why can't you plead cyclists to wear reflective clothed and have lights. They have a responsibility to.

(two separate occasions last night a cyclist crossed over the road on their bike wearing all black and no lights)

Indeed reflective clothes are important, but generally it doesn't help much when a driver isn't aware of the rider being around, as they are instinctively looking for cars/vans/trucks etc.

This isn't primed to be a car v driver thing at all. Just a request to bear in mind the extra vulnerability which we have in the dark.

Fellow cyclist posting in support of OP but also agree with BrandNew that it's completely irresponsible to cycle without reflectives and a decent set of lights.

yes it is irresponsible to ride without lights (most of us wouldn't do that as commuters in the dark - we know the dangers) BUT...that isn;t the nub of the request.

well threads evolve - and this one has - sensibly

it's good for both parties to be careful in the winter - look out for cyclists but cyclists make yourselves as visible as possible

What! Commuters are responsible with lights. Please come to Bristol op where they come out of sainsburys warehouse in the dark with no lights and cycle round the roundabout the wrong way! It's literally dodge the suicidal cyclist.

I don't mean to sound anti cyclist, I think cycling is great and I like bike rides. I'm just slightly coloured in my view from last night's dodgems and emergency braking.

Okay Brand that may have happened but the appeal for allowance of awareness of tricky riding conditions in dark months still holds true.

To be honest, I think it's still just too risky to cycle in winter.

It's a joint responsibility imo.

Cyclists should uphold the law by having lights on their bikes and drivers should be aware. I always check my blind spots when pulling away but at night I wouldn't see someone in black with no lights ccycling along.

I was just saying earlier today how reflectors don't seem to be used much in the UK. I lived in Scandinavia and most pedestrians would wear one attached to their coat, and cyclists would wear lots of reflective gear. It really makes a huge difference - drivers can't be looking out for them all the time when it's literally impossible to see.

Yes, left the dangers increase undoubtedly, hence the request. For me at least it's the most viable form of commuting, and I am lit up like a Christmas Tree, but still get close calls and other instances.

Yabu for starting with "so", but YANBU about folk on bikes. I take my hat off to 'em, doing their bit for the environment etc (I am being sincere not sarky) and I marvel at their courage and energy.

Last week at 6:30am (ie still dark) a cyclist pulled out from a side road on me, on an unlit country road. All in dark colours and no lights. He even had the cheek to flip me off when I beeped him as I swerved to avoid him. Tosser!

London and bikes dont go together as much as people would like try to mesh this.

So... take that point! IF anyone started a sentence with 'so' i'd be too!

Apols.

It's definitely a joint responsibility.
I am constantly astonished how little effort some cyclists make to be visible. I am also astonished at the number of cyclists who don't use cycle paths when they are available. The road was narrowed to create the cycle path ffs

But yeah, drivers need to be more careful in nasty driving conditions as well

You are responsible for what you drive, ride etc. you are responsible for your safety whilst looking out for others.

yes, Libitina me too as a driver, we come across these incidents...doesn't mean we should be any less careful of others in similar circs all aglow with lights and reflectives?

People who ride bikes on roads should also undergo a test and most importantly insurance.

have insurance. All the same rules should apply to any road user.

Another Bristolite here. I agree with the OP, but so many cyclists here don't wear reflective gear (or helmets) and don't have any lights. It's like they have a death wish.

cycle path thing? They are not always as they appear. As an experienced rider I avoid some cycle paths tbh - they are often full of debris and/or people walking along them - there is an education about them that is often missed.

we're now going beyond the original request in the OP?

To say road users should wear helmets and have insurance, does that mean for pedestrians as well? Roads are a public utility after all.