To be concerned about majority of cyclists not having lights on in the dark

[ZML]

It’s getting dark by about 5pm. It is very concerning that many cyclists don’t have any lights on their bikes and wearing dark clothing.

I have said to cyclists as driving past them - get some lights.

Also with increasing numbers of cyclists not cycling safely, pulling out without looking etc, the law should be more understandable towards drivers.

This problem isn’t with just the young. Seen cyclists, guessing in their 60s riding without lights

Something should be done but it never is.

Do their loved ones realise they are cycling around with no lights and risking a possible accident or death?

One of my most frightening experiences driving was coming home late at night and seeing something ahead of me on the road, it was two children in dark clothes on bikes with no lights weaving around in the middle of the road (possibly chasing each other or playing some game), I saw them just in time. It brings a cold sweat even now many years later.

Cyclists should wear hi-vis but so should pedestrians.

But most don't, and wear black coats.

Can dog owners also give their dogs a hi-vis collar? Edited: I saw a pp has said most owners do in her area, that's great.

Natural selection.

On a serious note, I think in the evenings they start out when its not dark and then it gets darker. Also if they are not car/bus/van drivers they have NO idea how invisible they are

Yes, we should be bothered about this, and helmets, and dangerous riding, especially on ebikes.They should need licence plates and to pass a test, like other posters have said, and lose it if they are found riding without lights. Works for most motorists. No, not everyone will comply, like not all car drivers follow the rules, but enough will to save quite a few lives.

I shouted at a cyclist for this the other day - she was incredibly lucky that I am super careful opening the car door and always use the dutch reach method as when I saw her in my blind spot I was really surprised as I had no idea that she had been coming up the road (and I had been checking). Idiot.

I do feel like there should be some sort of public advertisement drive to show people what dark clothing looks like to road users. I apply this to cyclists but also pedestrians. I honestly think people are just brain dead to personal safety nowadays in all forms whether that's valuables on display, walking in unlit areas and not making themselves visible.

For what it's worth my bike is lit up like a beacon and I am high viz to the point you'd see me from the moon. When we do fun rides with the kids in the winter around our way I dress my bike up in fairy lights also. I work in a very heavy safety regulated industry and seen far too many incidents to not follow through with my own safety.

If the rider was doing 25mph, then the (s)he was probably a motorcyclist as to class as a bicycle the motor can only assist to 15.5mph - anything more has to come from the rider pedalling.

This matters because the police have different powers re motorcycles eg it’s the law that a motorcycle rider wears a motorcycle helmet, whereas a bicycle rider can choose whether or not to wear a helmet.

Many e-bike riders are legally obliged to pass a test & have licence plates as what they are riding classes as a motorbike.

As for actual bicycles - many children are capable of riding them at 3 or 4. How are you going to put them through a test?

If there is spare police capacity for more road policing, then this probably should be focussed on drivers, as they cause the most collisions.

Yes and helmets!!!

ah but there’s a ridiculous number of illegal e-bikes on the road, mostly ridden by Deliveroo / Just Eat delivery guys. They definitely go above 15.5mph because I’ve driven alongside them and they’re going uphill faster than that without pedalling! My city is riddled with them, I don’t think I ever go out without seeing one yet the police celebrate on Facebook when they seize one!
apparently they also won’t chase them if they’re not wearing a helmet. These almost exclusively black guys wearing black clothing, including masks or scarves pulled up over their face, no lights and no helmets and no regard the Highway Code.

Dont lump all cyclists in together. Many of us on normal bikes or legal low power e-bikes use lights and helmets and are just doing our day to day travelling and trying not to get wiped out by vans and buses.

Cycling should be safe and healthy for everyone.

I can't speak for weekend lycra brigade, those bizarre groups of kids doing wheelies or the delivery riders on unregulated motorbikes but we need the law to protect us.

Why ebikes /motorbikes don't have automatic lights when they have a literal constant source of power is a mystery.

You nearly opened your car door without checking?

I think you were also lucky

Exactly this. I was seriously injured by a cyclist who hit me on the pavement last year. Police and local authority couldn’t care less about this issue. Cyclists using the roads safely, fine. Yay. All for it. Cyclists endangering themselves on the road with no lights - they are responsible if something bad happens to them, not the driver who couldn’t see them.

she saw the cyclist in her blind spot as she was checking prior to opening the door.

In my country there's a campaign every autumn about staying visible in the dark and many places will give out reflectors to pin to your coat for free and it really works, most people, with the exception of teens who think they're invincible, wear reflectors or hi viz harnesses or vests when out in the dark round my way.

In my area it is the uber and just eat riders that never have lights on. That really bothers me.

They are the ones with the problem, i dont know why people need to take on other people's issues

There is actual volunteer work you can do if you need to do this

Any bike sized above childs pavement cycle should be sold with lights integrated. You wouldn't buy a car then expect to buy lights as an extra.
I have a legal pedal assist bike and commute to work. I am lit up like a Christmas tree!
I do a activity and there is a teenager who goes, rides without lights or helmet to go there. His parents say he refuses all offers of getting either as he is suspected ND, his face was a picture when I said if you were my kid you'd be walking not riding, the bike would be gone. I don't think 'no' is in their vocabulary.

I'm a cyclist, and I've just come back from being out for a cycle this morning (sporting great bike lights and wearing tons of reflective stuff and a white helmet). I'm fairly rural. It's dark. And a bit misty. I still managed to encounter a cyclist who was almost invisible - I'm guessing the fact that it was one of the few roads with streetlights made it ok? Honestly, it's madness.

I kid in my road has just started a paper round, and he has no lights or reflectors or helmet and wears dark clothing. He also has zero road sense and his parents don't seem to give a toss. It's a matter of time before he has a nasty encounter with a car.

They are motorcyclists then (too fast to legally be a bicycle & bicycles need to be pedalled).

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Walking & Cycling has a report with recommendations for the Government on how to tackle this including looking at delivery riders which is worth reading.

Love this ❤️ thank you for sharing

this happens more in autumn when people get caught out... It is not at all a majority where I live (a very cycling part of a city).

Glad to hear that so many MN drivers are concerned and conscientious about being careful road users that share the roads willingly with other types of vehicles.

Something else I notice a lot at this time of year are many cars (& trucks, even saw an ambulance 2 nights ago with same issue) with bad headlights. One or both not working, one or both pointed in odd directions. Similar issues with tailights, suddenly obvious how many aren't working right when the clocks fall back.

It's so very strange how I don't see threads about that online.

I guess similar happens with windscreen wipers. When it first rains after a long dry spell, I often suddenly discover my windscreen wipers aren't working perfectly & see the same on other cars.

I agree but I'm also concerned about vehicles who don't have headlights and brake lights working. I drive exactly 2.5 miles from my house to work and I see at least 3 vehicles with only one headlight working.