The law with bicycle lights?...

[Matthew_T]

I found this on the Argos website while looking for lights:


Additional Information
LED Cycle Lights

LED cycle lights should only be used for extra visibility in conjunction with a BS approved cycle light. Do not use in flashing mode when attached to your cycle, as this is in contravention of the Road Vehicle and Lighting Regulations.




Is this true?

 

[youngoldbloke]

No. Have a look at the CTC website.

 

[fossyant]

And dont bother with BS approved lights. They are generally crap.

 

[gaz]

That is a couple of years out of date!
To be legal you do need to have at least one set which meets the bullshit requirements, sorry the british standard requirements. But you won't get pulled up on it if you have adequate lighting.

 

[Matthew_T]

Good, I just didnt want to be forking out for another set of lights as well. I currently have three full sets (one which is my dads) but I am primarily looking for a front light. They all seem very expensive (£20-30). I am looking for the <£20 range.

 

[gaz]

Good, I just didnt want to be forking out for another set of lights as well. I currently have three full sets (one which is my dads) but I am primarily looking for a front light. They all seem very expensive (£20-30). I am looking for the <£20 range.

<£20 is cheap for a front light. probably fine if it's just another light to back up the others but it won't be lighting the pathway in front of you.

 

[NormanD]

I bought one of These the other day as an additional light to my Cat Eye light, it's not bad for the price (reduced to £10) and seems to be well built

 

[RhythMick]

I bought one of These the other day as an additional light to my Cat Eye light, it's not bad for the price (reduced to £10) and seems to be well built

Looks good. I've always thought it would be best to have two decent front lights? Anyone else?

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

 

[Matthew_T]

I bought one of These the other day as an additional light to my Cat Eye light, it's not bad for the price (reduced to £10) and seems to be well built

That looks excellent compared to this at argos.

 

[gaz]

That looks excellent compared to this at argos.

You will be much better off getting a light from a bicycle retailer rather than a shop which models it's business around not seeing the products until you have actually bought them.

For example for £30 you can get this light
Cateye HL-EL320

 

[Matthew_T]

You will be much better off getting a light from a bicycle retailer rather than a shop which models it's business around not seeing the products until you have actually bought them.

For example for £30 you can get this light
Cateye HL-EL320

I think Wiggle and CRC are probably the best places to go now.
Thanks Gaz

 

[gbb]

The funny thing is, we often hear questions re the legality of cheap flashing etc LED lights, but i've NEVER heard of anyone being pulled because their lights didnt conform to certain standards.
I think the police are sensible enough to take into account the very fact you're using any kind of light is good enough.
Now, whether cheap lights fulfill your requirements is another thing...

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

And dont bother with BS approved lights. They are generally crap.

Nonsense, I'm sure these gained BS approval at some point....

 

[CopperCyclist]

I know of no police officer that would ever stop and actually TICKET/REPORT a cyclists with no lights, let alone inadequate ones - and I work for them!

Just buy ones that you are happy with, that get you seen, and I wouldn't overly worry about the regs. Flashing lights are fine now anyway, though there is some nonsense about them having to flash at least sixty times a minute!

 

[The Jogger]

Lidl on Sept 5th will be selling 3w lights for less than a tenner. Look at their site. Should do the job.