Bike

Your bike should be comfortable and roadworthy.

Run a safety check on your bike before each ride. Check that the tyres are the correct pressure and that the brakes and any gears work. If it’s been a while since you last used your bike it might be a good idea to have it serviced.

Lights & Reflectors

Bicycle Lights

Checklist

• Front Light is fitted, clean and working brightly;
• Rear Light is fitted, clean and working brightly
• Make sure that the lights are securely fitted to the bicycle, with no loose nuts or bolts.

Note: Carrying Spares - It is a good idea to carry spare batteries and bulbs for your lights, especially when going on long rides.

When do I need to use lights?

When riding your bike on a public road between sunset and sunrise, pedal cycles must have clean and correctly working lights and reflectors fitted. Cyclists may also be required to light up in conditions of seriously reduced visibility during the day, but only if they have functional lights already fitted.

What lights and reflectors do I need?

• Front Lamp: One is required, showing a white light, marked BS6102/3 (or equivalent EC), positioned centrally or offside, up to 1500mm from the ground, aligned towards and visible from the front.
• Rear Lamp: One is required, to show a red light, marked BS3648 or BS6102/3 (or equivalent EC), positioned centrally or offside, between 350mm and 1500mm from the ground, at or near the rear, aligned towards and visible from behind.
• Rear Reflector: One is required, coloured red, marked BS6102/2 (or equivalent EC), positioned centrally or offside, between 350mm and 900mm from the ground, at or near the rear, aligned towards and visible from behind.
• Pedal Reflectors: Four are required, coloured amber and marked BS6102/2 (or equivalent EC), positioned so that one is plainly visible to the front and another to the rear of each pedal.
• Wherever a British Standard (BS) is referred to, an equivalent European standard is also permitted eg those marked with a 'K-', 'CH-' or 'Z-' number should be OK.

Cycle trailers need a rear lamp and reflector; sidecars need a front lamp too.

Age does however give some privileges:

• Cycles manufactured before October 1990 can have any kind of white front lamp that is visible from a reasonable distance, and
• Pre-October 1985 cycles don't need pedal reflectors.

Are Dynamo powered lights legal?

Yes, lights are not required when the cycle is stationary or being pushed along the roadside, hence dynamo lights which go out when you stop - so long as you stop on the left, are legal. Dynamo systems that incorporate back-up (often called stand light) features or a secondary set of battery lamps are however safest.

Whilst on the subject of additional lamps (and reflectors) these need not comply with any standards but they must be the correct colour and in an appropriate position.

Are flashing LED lights legal?

It is legal to ride a bicycle with only flashing lights that are brighter than 4 CD and flash between 60 and 240 flashes per minute. If they can also be set to constant mode they must meet BS 6102 or EU equivalent.

Is it important to follow the rules?

The police don't seem to enforce the finer details of these regulations as long as you have a conspicuous front and rear light. It should however be remembered that if you are involved in an accident at night and your lights did not fully comply with the regulations, this may be used against you or to dispute any claim you may try to make.

Bicycle Reflectors

Checklist

• Front Reflector is fitted and clean;
• Rear Reflector is fitted and clean;
• Pedal Reflectors are fitted and clean;
• Spoke or Wheel Reflectors are fitted and clean; and
• Make sure that the reflectors are securely fitted to the bicycle, with no loose nuts or bolts.

Reflectors are excellent for helping drivers see cyclists in the dark because they appear to ‘light up’ and shine the light back to the driver when headlamps shine on them. They also provide extra protection if bicycle lights go out.

Reflectors do not work if they are dirty, so they must be cleaned regularly, especially in winter.

Helmets

Whilst wearing a helmet is not currently law in the UK, most experts seem to agree that wearing one could reduce the risk or severity of a HEAD INJURY should you fall or get knocked off your bike.

Your local cycle shop will be able to advise you further. If you already have a helmet you should make sure that:

• Your helmet is the correct size and that it is adjusted correctly – the fit should fit be snug but comfortable.
• The chin strap is done up, fits around your chin and is tight enough to prevent the helmet from falling off or pulling off your head.

Locks

Lock it or lose it!

Most cycle thefts are by opportunist thefts. Someone sees a bike which is not secured or secured badly and takes it because it's easy to do so.

You should ensure that your bike is secured in such a way that it cannot be ridden away, either by immobilising it in some way, if you will only be away for that "couple of minutes", or by securing it to a fixed immovable object if your absence will be for a longer period of time.

There are a multitude of types of locks available for securing your bike. Your local cycle shop will be able to advise you.