Cycle Safety

Safe Night-time Cycling

As darkness is upon us both early in the morning and early evening it is worth reminding you of the legal requirements for cycling at night:

• white front light
• red rear light
• red rear reflector
• amber/yellow pedal reflectors - front and rear on each pedal.

The lamps may be steady or flashing, or a mixture - e.g. 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.

Purely flashing lights are not required to conform to British Standard BSS6102-3, but the flash rate must be between 60 and 240 equal flashes per minute (1-4 per second) and the luminous intensity must be at least 4 candela. (This should be advised by the manufacturer).

It is also advisable to wear suitable reflective/bright clothing and protective equipment.

Finally it is ILLEGAL to cycle on the pavement - Please use the highway, quieter side streets and cycle tracks where possible.

The full legislation may be found in the Highway Code.