Bicycle Safety on Dark Roads
23/06/2022
It is very common for people to cycle to work to save on their travel expenses and to get their exercise in for the day. Some may enjoy the fresh morning air during their bike ride. The 21st of June 2022 is the longest day of the year and from now on mornings and nights will get darker, so cyclists must ensure that they still put their safety on the roads at the forefront of their priorities while cycling.
The Personal Injury/Road Traffic incident team are here to ensure that cyclists are aware of the regulations that apply to them on these early morning and dark evening cycling trips. These are monitored by the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations. If they are not followed, you could risk paying a £50 fixed penalty notice.
In order to adhere to these regulations, your bicycle must have:
- Red rear lights and lights must be continuously lit or flashing at 1-4 flashes per second
- White front lights on the right hand or centre of your handlebars
- Amber reflectors on the front and back of your pedals
As a cyclist, there are some further provisions to take into consideration:
- Ride in single file when drivers wish to overtake, and it is safe to let them do so. (When riding in larger groups on narrow lanes, it is sometimes safer to ride two abreast)
- Keep a safe distance between you and other vehicles
- Follow traffic signals and signs
- Keep both feet on pedals while cycling
- Keep both hands on your handlebars, except when signalling
For more information on The Highway Code, please have a look at our article on the Updated Highway Code. This article and the overall Highway Code provide a guide to cyclists and drivers on all road provisions. They provide you with safety provisions such as wearing light-coloured or fluorescent clothing and shoes, allowing others on the highway to see you.
The Highway Code also advises and guides cyclists in Sections 59 to 82. Although not a legal requirement, they give helpful tips such as wearing a helmet which is the correct size and securely fastened, wearing light-coloured or fluorescent clothing and shoes which help other road users to see you, and fitting other lights or reflectors to your bike.
If you follow the provisions and regulations highlighted in this article, you will have the best possible chance of staying safe on the dark roads. Unfortunately, even when taking all these safety measures into account, it does not necessarily mean you are completely immune to being involved in an accident.
Our personal injury team are committed to supporting vulnerable road users, motorists and cyclists who have been injured in road traffic accidents. If you are seeking legal advice about a personal injury you have suffered or would like more information about the process of making a compensation claim, our specialist personal injury lawyers have the expertise and knowledge to deal with all types of road traffic accidents. You can call us today on 0800 731 7555, make an online enquiry or drop into one of our personal injury clinics:
- Wednesdays from 10pm - 12pm at our Farnworth office: 86 Market St Farnworth Bolton BL4 7NY
- Wednesdays from 3pm – 5pm at our Newport office: 39 Newport Street, Bolton, BL1 1NE
- Thursday from 10am – 12pm at our Middleton office: Colmar House, Middleton Gardens, Middleton M24 4DB
- Fridays from 10am -12pm at our Atherton office: 43 Market Street, Atherton, Manchester, M46 0GQ
If you or a cyclist you know has been injured due to an accident, please contact our experienced and dedicated personal injury team for an initial chat and assessment of your case. Please call us on 0800 731 7555 or request a callback.