the bizzareness of plod

[ghouluk]

Hmmm,

out this morning at about 10am (bit warmer than the other day so not quite so whiney about the weather today ) and was overtaken by a plod (on double white lines which he had to break to overtake me.)

As i went past the pub in the next village he was in the car park and flagged me down to inform me that my lights were illegal as they were flashing....i pointed out that they weren't, as cyclists were allowed to have flashing lights in addition to the ordinary ones required after lighting up time....i also pointed out that he shouldn't have overtaken on double whites as i was travelling more than 10mph...i know i know, should have kept my big mouth shut, but can never resist arguing the toss.

He then went away for a bit and talked to someone on the radio before informing me that i could only have flashing lights after dark....in the end he "let me off with a warning" but i'm sure he's full of cr!p.

anyone ever heard of cyclist not being allowed lights in the daytime?

 

[flecc]

In the UK - No flashing light of any colour is allowed on any personal vehicles with the exception of amber for road construction or break down vehicles.

An excerpt from the rules:

'....flashing amber lights on
- a road clearance vehicle
- a bin lorry
- a breakdown vehicle
- a vehicle with a 25 mph top speed
- a vehicle wider than 2.9 metres
- a roadworks vehicle
-an escort vehicle
- a Revenue and Customs vehicle
- a surveying vehicle
- a clamping or tow truck vehicle
- airport vehicles
- any other specially authorised vehicle

This is from the lighting regulations which may only apply to motor vehicles, but I'm not sure.

 

[peerjay56]

Hmmm,

out this morning at about 10am (bit warmer than the other day so not quite so whiney about the weather today ) and was overtaken by a plod (on double white lines which he had to break to overtake me.)

As i went past the pub in the next village he was in the car park and flagged me down to inform me that my lights were illegal as they were flashing....i pointed out that they weren't, as cyclists were allowed to have flashing lights in addition to the ordinary ones required after lighting up time....i also pointed out that he shouldn't have overtaken on double whites as i was travelling more than 10mph...i know i know, should have kept my big mouth shut, but can never resist arguing the toss.

He then went away for a bit and talked to someone on the radio before informing me that i could only have flashing lights after dark....in the end he "let me off with a warning" but i'm sure he's full of cr!p.

anyone ever heard of cyclist not being allowed lights in the daytime?

The current regulations are covered here
You aren't required to light up in daylight, but there is nothing to forbid it. As you can see, you don't have to have non flashing lights as well.
He was a bit of a knob, wasn't he? What sort of age was he?

 

[averhamdave]

The current regulations are covered here
You aren't required to light up in daylight, but there is nothing to forbid it. As you can see, you don't have to have non flashing lights as well.
He was a bit of a knob, wasn't he? What sort of age was he?

Thanks for that Phil. I didn't realise that pedal reflectors were mandatory after dark as well.

 

[mike killay]

Thanks for that Phil. I didn't realise that pedal reflectors were mandatory after dark as well.

Problem is that your feet cover them. Idiotic invention.

 

[Clockwise]

Hmmm,

out this morning at about 10am (bit warmer than the other day so not quite so whiney about the weather today ) and was overtaken by a plod (on double white lines which he had to break to overtake me.)

As i went past the pub in the next village he was in the car park and flagged me down to inform me that my lights were illegal as they were flashing....i pointed out that they weren't, as cyclists were allowed to have flashing lights in addition to the ordinary ones required after lighting up time....i also pointed out that he shouldn't have overtaken on double whites as i was travelling more than 10mph...i know i know, should have kept my big mouth shut, but can never resist arguing the toss.

He then went away for a bit and talked to someone on the radio before informing me that i could only have flashing lights after dark....in the end he "let me off with a warning" but i'm sure he's full of cr!p.

anyone ever heard of cyclist not being allowed lights in the daytime?

Write to the local paper and tell them that you feel you are being pressured to ride unsafely by police despite the recent spate of cyclists deaths on uk roads, his boss will likely issue a statement to say sorry on his behalf.

 

[John F]

I'm confused. What's the situation regarding rear reflectors and rear lights. My Woosh has a large rear light with a built in reflector but no separate reflector. Is a reflector required in addition to a light irrespective of the lights construction?

 

[flecc]

No, the combined light and reflector is legal.

 

[RobF]

Problem is that your feet cover them. Idiotic invention.

Can't agree - I've often seen them, perhaps more often 'in the mirror' in the car.

That would make sense because the front of your front is less likely to obscure the reflector than the heel.

The position of roadies is less clear, clipless pedals don't have reflectors.

I think the theory is there's some reflective stuff on the shoes instead, but lots don't have it.

 

[EddiePJ]

That's interesting in respect of flashing lights. I'd wrongly assumed that they were illegal.

 

[jerrysimon]

So a rear bike red flashing light on during the day or night is illegal ? If so a lot of cyclist are breaking the law.

I often ride with a combination of static and flashing lights i.e. four in total at night and flashing one only front and back in the darker mornings

Jerry

 

[peerjay56]

So a rear bike red flashing light on during the day or night is illegal ? If so a lot of cyclist are breaking the law.

I often ride with a combination of static and flashing lights i.e. four in total at night and flashing one only front and back in the darker mornings

Jerry

No Jerry, it's legal, if it meets the BS standard, but apparently very few if any lights are tested and marked as compliant nowadays, even if they do meet the requirements. In theory, if it's not BS approved you should also have a BS approved steady light too. The lighting regs actually only apply between sunset and sunrise - in daylight you can have what you like, AIUI.

 

[RobF]

So a rear bike red flashing light on during the day or night is illegal ?

Jerry

The light can now be static or flashing.

 

[John F]

Where is this laid down?

No, the combined light and reflector is legal.

 

[ghouluk]

"Rear Lamp

One is required, to show a red light, positioned centrally or offside, between 350mm and 1500mm from the ground, at or near the rear, aligned towards and visible from behind. If capable of emitting a steady light it must be marked as conforming to BS3648, or BS6102/3, or an equivalent EC standard.

If capable of emitting only a flashing light, it must emit at least 4 candela.

Rear Reflector

One is required, coloured red, marked BS6102/2 (or equivalent), positioned centrally or offside, between 250mm and 900mm from the ground, at or near the rear, aligned towards and visible from behind.


by my reading, if its between 350 and 900mm from the ground, the combined one is legal if marked appropriately "

the guy was late 20s, further annoyed me by calling me sonny.

tbh now i know i'm in the right - not too worried about complaining.

 

[mike killay]

Can't agree - I've often seen them, perhaps more often 'in the mirror' in the car.

That would make sense because the front of your front is less likely to obscure the reflector than the heel.

The position of roadies is less clear, clipless pedals don't have reflectors.

I think the theory is there's some reflective stuff on the shoes instead, but lots don't have it.

Probably clipless pedals are not 'Pedals'

 

[Cottonpickers]

I wonder how many other cyclists he has told to switch off their lights for 'non compliance' really not helping our safety at all..

 

[SRS]

Probably clipless pedals are not 'Pedals'

They are not clipless either.

 

[averhamdave]

I'd be tempted to follow it up at his local station. Visit the desk sergeant and seek clarification on the law. Ask him/her if it is preferable, in the eyes of the law, to cycle during the day without lights.

 

[RobF]

They are not clipless either.

Everyone calls them clipless.

The usage started because the new 'clip in' pedals replaced those which had toe clips.

I guess 'clipless' is a bit snappier than 'toe clip less'.