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  • Post category:Law / Personal safety

Front and rear lights are required by law if you are cycling at night. More importantly, cycling at night with no lights makes you invisible to cars, greatly increasing the risk of collision.


Every year in the UK around 17,000 cyclists are killed or injured in reported road accidents, including around 2,500 who are killed or seriously injured. 20% of accidents involving cyclists occur at night.

Facts

  • Cycle lighting in the UK is enforced by the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations (1989).
  • Compulsory lights and reflectors: you must fit a white front light, red rear light, red rear reflector, and amber/yellow pedal reflectors – front and back on each pedal.
  • Lighting-up time is sunset or when visibility is seriously reduced.
  • The most dangerous hours for cyclists are 8am-9am and 3pm-6pm on weekdays.
  • Cycling accidents in the dark are more likely to be fatal.

Source: Direct.gov, kingston.gov.uk, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents

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