Why do cyclists risk their lives at night by having no lights on their bikes?

Question

I've almost hit one several times and I think it's so silly not having lights. The police seem, to do nothing

Answer 1

A serious cyclist will at least have reflectors in case of light failure. I see so many without that even. I often think, if I ever come into a lot of money, I would give away red lights to any cyclist that wanted one, I would flood country with them. There are no excuses for not having a light, some are just too lazy, ignorant or feel invincible to bother. I guess they have not seen brains splattered across the road.

Answer 2

Perhaps some cyclists don't expect faults to develop on their lights. Or maybe they don't expect night to fall while they're still out.

If it's possible to start your car and move it from one place to another, then, chances are, it's also possible to move it with the headlights on. The same is not true of a bicycle. Car headlamps are much sturdier than bicycle headlamps.

I've had lamps fall off and smash on the road simply as a result of going round a corner whilst in a hurry. Yes motorists *did* swear at me about having no lights - but once you're out and it's dark and you have no lights, what are you supposed to do?

That said, my route that night was predominantly on well-lit but quiet suburban residential back-streets. Safety is the most important thing - you should *always* have lights and reflective wear when cycling in the dark. Being safe is more important than getting there. However, motorists need to stay aware of the road too. If you can't see an unlit cyclist, then you probably won't be able to see a child either.

Answer 3

Because it is a known fact that cyclists... no actually, millitant cyclists, think they're above the law, and either indestructable or don't really care because in the event of an accident, apparently it's the driver's fault anyway, even if it was all the doing of the prat on the pushbike himself.

Have some of them not realised that us lot in our cars have our lights on for a reason... not just too dazzle oncoming motorists.

Of course I do have a generally negative view of those who ride bikes, and if you're a responsible rider who doesn't insust on riding on pavements and whatnot, blame those pillocks giving you a bad name. Simple as that.

Still, natual selection will play it's part...

Answer 4

Lack of brain power.

Bloody cyclist wrote my car off, and promptly died, you try getting compensation out of a dead cyclist, Oh I was sitting at home watching TV when the accident happened, so it was 0% my fault.

The Government should insist all new bikes have hub dynamos and lights fitted, and plod should arrest anyone riding on Pavements or without lights after lighting up time

Answer 5

I have cycled without lights a couple of times, but I try to avoid it. Bike lights are flimsy things, and have a tendency to get nicked, or malfunction, or run out of batteries, or to be misplaced somewhere when you're in a hurry. I always take a spare pair with me these days, just in case. But I have been less diligent in the past. You are late for an important meeting. You can't find your lights. So you just decide set off without them on an impulse. And before you know it, there you are, risking your life.

Answer 6

I am a cyclist, not a ****. Eurolight's lockable cycle lights are great. And if you are careless enough to stand bike upside down without removing the top of the bracket, to remove wheel, as I did, you can also purchase replacement parts.
As a cyclist I don't like the flashing led lights, they don't show as clearly as the normal bulbs.
I think this time of year, many people have not prepared for the dark evenings caused by moving to GMT time in the autumn.
The parents of children should not let them use the cycles without lights. Children think along the lines 'I can see the cars, so they can see me.'
The beam from cars behind us, gives the impression that they can see us clearly, but this does not take regard to their speed.
Cycle lights do not light up the road like car lights do, they don't light the way forward, except in very dark areas, but they do enable car, van, and lorry drivers to see us BEFORE they get close enough to hit us.
The question should refer to 'some' cyclists.
My way with cycle lights, is to put new batteries in back light, and replace front light with the batteries from the back light, as we can see the front when it begins to get dim, whereas back light is normally out of our vision.
Some cyclists just hope they can get where they are going safely, they trust car drivers too much, and expect too much from them.
But too many car drivers park on cycle tracks, or on paths with cycle tracks on them. I was once knocked off my cycle when a car-door opened, from a car illegally parked on the path, and sent me flying. Just as drivers like these give car drivers a bad reputation by cyclists, cyclists who jump traffic lights, or cycle without cycle lights, give us all a bad reputation.

Answer 7

Oh I don't know. When I was a kid years ago I got a right telling off from a policeman. And I did have lights on my bike - its just that they were not working properly as they were powered by a faulty dynamo.

I guess kids think they are safe. Which as a car driver actually they are - I see all the bikes I see ?!

Answer 8

They must be idiot's with a death wish, it should be compulsory for cyclist's to have working light's & wear high visibility clothing.

Answer 9

Bleeding nuts. Also why do cars leave carparks (ie, asda) without turing on their headlights and why doesnt everybody wear seatbelts - my car wont work unless I have a seatbelt on...lol

Answer 10

They think they are invincible.
We KNOW they are nigh on invisible.
The cops aint interested in anything less than a speeding car.
Bikes? PAH!!