Now autumn’s here in the UK, it’s time to fit some lights to your handlebars once more. But what are the current laws for bike lights in the UK? Is flashing OK, or do they have to be steady? And do you have to fit reflectors too? Read on for our guide to the current UK legislation.
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It's worth mentioning before we start — why do we need to fit and use lights at night anyway? Well, it's not just to see where we're going; if you're riding on city streets then streetlights probably do that for you fairly well. Equally important is that bike lights and reflectors help us be seen by other road users — otherwise there's the very real possibility that they won't see us until it's too late.
If you're looking for advice on which bike lights to buy, check out our guide to the best bike lights for road cycling.
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The current UK legislation on bike lights
According to the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (RVLR), it's illegal to cycle on a public road after dark without lights and reflectors. There have been quite a few changes to this legislation in recent years: the current version of the RVLR was published in 1989, and has since been amended multiple times, most recently in 2009.
To avoid major trouble with the law (and stay safe), a white light must be showing from the front and a red light from the rear. The RVLR specifies minimum outputs for these lights and requires cyclists to fit reflectors too, so if you lack either of these things and are involved in a night time accident then it could be regarded as contributory negligence. But you’re unlikely to be pulled over by the police as long as the front and rear of your bike are illuminated.
Is there a maximum output limit for bike lights?
The minimum equipment required for riding a bike at night
- A front lamp showing a white light, positioned up to 150cm from the ground and facing forwards. If capable of emitting only a flashing light, it must emit at least four candela (a unit of light intensity, comfortably exceeded by modern lights)
- A rear lamp showing a red light, positioned between 35cm and 150cm from the ground, facing rearwards. If capable of emitting only a flashing light, it must emit at least four candela
- Rear reflector, coloured red, positioned between 25cm and 90cm from the ground, facing rearwards
- Pedal reflectors, coloured amber, positioned so that one is plainly visible to the front and another to the rear of each pedal
Can I fit only flashing lights?
Do my lights have to comply with UK standards to be legal?
Can I use dynamos instead?
Do I have to use lights in daytime low visibility conditions, like fog?
Are older bikes exempt from these laws?
Can I remove the wheel reflectors that my bike came with?
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
via BikeRadar All the latest from BikeRadar.com http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/bike-light-laws-in-the-uk-what-you-need-to-know-48568/
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