As the dark nights are upon us, now is a good time to talk about the law when it comes to cycling in the dark and remind you how important it is to be visible.

It is illegal to cycle on a public road after dark without lights and reflectors so any cycle which is used between sunset and sunrise must be fitted with the following:

WHITE FRONT LIGHT - At least one lamp is required, showing a white light, positioned centrally or offside (the right-hand side of the bike), up to 1500mm from the ground, aligned towards and visible from the front.

It might sound obvious, but the light needs to be fixed to the bicycle; there is a fashion for helmet lights which can be pointed in the direction you're looking which might be useful but is not legal. A single helmet mounted light doesn't conform - and if you're an adult, then the chances are that your helmet light will be more than the 1500mm height limit from the ground anyway.

RED REAR LIGHT - One is required, to show a red light, positioned centrally or offside (the right-hand side of the bike), 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.

Purely flashing lights are not required to conform to BS61023, but the flash rate must be between 60 and 240 equal flashes per minute (1 to 4 per second) and the luminous intensity must be at least 4 candela.

RED REAR REFLECTOR - One rear reflector is required, coloured red, marked BS6102/2 (or equivalent), positioned centrally or offside (on the right-hand side of the bike), between 250mm and 900mm from the ground, at or near the rear, aligned towards and visible from behind.

AMBER/YELLOW PEDAL REFLECTORS– front and rear on each pedal marked BS6102/2 (or equivalent) and positioned so that one is plainly visible to the front and another to the rear of each pedal.

The lamps may be steady or flashing, or a mixture, for example steady at the front and flashing at the rear. A steady light is recommended at the front when the cycle is used in areas without good street lighting.

Lights and reflectors are not required when the cycle is stationary or being pushed along the roadside. When they are required, the lights and reflectors listed must be clean and working properly.

It’s important to make yourself as visible as possible in the hours of darkness. In addition to your bike lights start wearing bright and reflective clothing that also keeps you warm – it’s not a legal requirement, but it’ll make you visible.

BE BRIGHT, BE SEEN AND BE SAFE

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