Lights on bikes.
 

Driving home tonight from Henry Street onto Dunkenhalgh Way to Clayton, encountered 4 young teenagers on bikes at varying distances. They were riding on the pavements, but did cross the dual carriageway/Blackburn Road dangerously without lights. One was riding a bike (he was the one that nearly met his maker) far too small for his build.

Just a mention, that if you buy your children expensive bikes this Christmas, at least provide them with bl**dy lights !!

Oh yes, and if possible, helmets and high viz jackets. None of these four young cyclists had any of these.

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

I remember when i was young, My dad put lights on my new bike.
I used to always forget to switch them on when it went dark!!

he caught me one night out on the street, yep no lights on!! :rolleyes:

Next day he fitted lights with a big dynamo so that I didn't have to remember to switch them on :D

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

might be an idea if bikes could NOT be sold without lights? or would that be too simple? ya dont get a motorised vehicle without em, goverment should make manufacterers take some responsibility, after all they are "Road Vehicles":rolleyes:

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

Yes i do agree with you a bout that its the same were i live just off john st osw, and they are the same round this end.

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

Some people are just asking to be knocked down. :(

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

Dont you think its strange how its illegal for a bike to be sold without a BELL! but its not the law that a helmet or lights be used!

Seems pretty stupid to me!

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

I have bought many a bike without a bell !. I didnt know that mummiboo.

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

Yep all new bikes now come with a bell (usually a crappy little silver bell but a bell just the same!). :)

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

Even worse when there dressed in black(can we say black)nearly racked up a few points myself

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

I think that they ought to pay road tax too.....

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

cant agree with that,not much wear @ tear to the road surface with a push bike. road safety for all is the objective.

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

Eh! Since when?

Go to Halfords! Not one of their bikes has a bell.

Highway Code for cyclists states:
“60
At night your cycle MUST have white front and red rear lights lit. It MUST also be fitted with a red rear reflector (and amber pedal reflectors, if manufactured after 1/10/85). White front reflectors and spoke reflectors will also help you to be seen. Flashing lights are permitted but it is recommended that cyclists who are riding in areas without street lighting use a steady front lamp.”

“64
You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.

“66
Let them know you are there when necessary, for example, by ringing your bell if you have one. It is recommended that a bell be fitted”

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

my lad got a bike christmas before last... boxing day i took the bell off!!!

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

YOU MUST NOT RIDE BIKES ON THE PAVEMENT,very true but half of the pavement on SCAITHCLIFFE St is a cycle track, well done HYNDBURN COUNCIL

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

Have you noticed how the cycle track is next to the wall and the pedestrian bit is between the cycle track and the road. Clever bit of planning that. :rolleyes:

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

I think the person who trains guide dogs which side is which should get a medal

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

Jambutty im am not wrong it must be a long time since you were looking for a bike at Halfords! here have a look at this http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...10/nbike10.xml.:)

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

I admit that it was well over a year since I found myself in Halfords but at that time none of the bikes on display had bells. However the salesperson was offering to put a bell on if the customer wanted him to. For a fee of course.

Do you know the difference between present and future tense?

Your original quote:

Quote:

Dont you think its strange how its illegal for a bike to be sold without a BELL!

That is wrong. It is not illegal to sell a bike without a bell. Not yet!

Quote from the Telegraph, the link for which you so thoughtfully supplied:

Quote:

Labour plans to bring in new laws requiring every bicycle to have a bell …..

That makes you wrong.

Having said all that it used to be a legal requirement for all bikes to have a bell or horn, if ridden on the public highway.

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

Jambutty i am not wrong if you had bothered to read the whole page you will see it says "Current laws require bells to be fitted to new bikes before being sold, but cyclists do not have to keep them on. Ministers want to close the loophole when harmonised European Union cycle construction standards are enforced this autumn." This is in the 5th paragragh! the paper is saying they intend to make it law for you to have to use the bell which is not current law but the law IS that the bike has to be sold with a bell this has been the law since 2004 a simple google will show you this.

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

Oooops! I missed that.

You can blame Israel. They scored their second goal to beat the Ruskkies to give England half a chance of qualifying for the European Cup as I was reading the article.

And now Northern Ireland has equalised to give them half a chance.

That’s it. I’m off.

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

I think that's an apology Mummyboo :rolleyes::D

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

I think thats about as close as im going to get to one eh slinks! lol Blame the footy its a male thing just cant admit that hes just wrong! not to worry.

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

Does seem to make sense, doesn't it Cashy ? Probably more of commercial pressure on this, as lots of support industries would be affected, and cyclists do like to spec. their own bikes anyway.

Suppose could do as the bell, and provide with less appealing lights, some people would change them, some not .. so still some loss to the manufacturers of these additional items.

Don't think the idea of road tax for cyclists is a good idea either .. particularly when the Government is spending money attempting to persuade people to use public transport more, walk or cycle to work.

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

I just dont see the point in bells on bikes as Law to come before wearing a helmet or having lights on the bike a bell will save no one because you should be riding the bike in the road not on the pavement and im sure you would shout before you used your bell just as natural reaction!

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

Well, already illegal to ride a bike on the road in the dark without lights and suspect that the helmet issue will not be far behind.

As for a law selling bikes with lights, think this may never happen, we'll see.

Agree about the bell Mummiboo, bit of a waste of space .. which cars are going to hear you too, specially as most people in their cars drive with music. A few pedestrians may be aware, but yes, you would shout first. Always think car horns are a little useless too, due to the fact that if you see a danger coming along, spend your thoughts and reactions avoiding it. Most motorists only seem to use it after the event as a telling off, which makes matters worse as the offender is startled by this.

Re: Lights on bikes.
 

Didn't think the bell was to warn cars,they don't come second very often