Is there a bike light law?

Agreed, although I would always recommend lights, I share the general point.

Of course you need to ride defensively, it helps to avoid beign involved in an accident. Using lights when the sun goes down would surely fall into that point. Not using lights and making the point above is contradictory. Hence this discussion.

I have lights. I use them. But I don't think it makes me any safer. In fact I would argue the opposite.

I'm going down the road and I can see a car at the junction ahead. With lights I might presume they see me. It can turn out they haven't and you may be going to fast to brake in time. Without lights I will presume they haven't and act accordingly.

Agreed.

I assume no-one sees me and I use lights. Surely the best of both worlds?

I assume no-one sees me and I use lights. Surely the best of both worlds?

But lights make you unsafe!

Have I not said that I presume no one sees me and I use lights?

So where's the point in trolling then?

Everyone else has lights and makes the same presumption.

someone has a different opinion than you and that's your response. Very nice :)

Sure.

What if I'm fixed to the bicycle then...

Head light is better then fixed cos you can direct it toward cars to make sure they see you. And I don't want to have to take my back light off every time I lock my bike up

I have lights. I use them. But I don't think it makes me any safer. In fact I would argue the opposite.

I'm going down the road and I can see a car at the junction ahead. With lights I might presume they see me. It can turn out they haven't and you may be going to fast to brake in time. Without lights I will presume they haven't and act accordingly.

What about cars coming from behind? Do you pull over, stop and wait for them to pass before continuing on because you presume they "haven't seen you"? Pigs Arse. You are in this instance fully relying on them to see you, therefore not using lights would have to be the most rediculous thing I've ever heard.

For some people they will need all the fucking lights they can get because their road awareness is that bad.

As a driver I don't give a fuck about aware cyclist if I can't see them. Sorry, but I'm not going to endanger my family by silly manouvers in the last minute, because there's a yoof without any lights, wearing a black hoodie on a black brakeless bike. The same for cats and foxes.

some agreed.

which ones?

But lights make you unsafe!

Ha, ninja cyclist. Great plan.

What if I'm fixed to the bicycle then...
Head light is better then fixed cos you can direct it toward cars to make sure they see you. And I don't want to have to take my back light off every time I lock my bike up

The law is the law. Feel free to break it. Don't complain when you get fined.

I pefer a handlebar light on the road and a bar+helmet light combo for offroad.
I don't tend to need to 'examine' terrain and lines through corners when on the road.
It takes less than a second to unclip my rear light and put it in my pocket. I don't see how this can be considered an excuse. But people will come up with any old crap to justify their actions. meh.

They do see you. and you can be aware of them especially if you not listening to your iPod. Also they will have lights on. you can see the beam. The fact that I can ride without lights on the roads at night in London and get overtaken by vehicles who give plenty of room tells me different. I trust my own experiences. sorry if you can't handle that.

You are presuming they have their lights on.. you've said yourself that other vehicles don't always have their lights on. Fail.

I have brakes. But I do own several hoodies and a black bike.

You have to stop thinking like a 12 years old.
It's not like Prince Philip makes up the rules. It's not the "system" :-) Some rules are good, some are there to actually protect us.

They do see you. and you can be aware of them especially if you not listening to your iPod. Also they will have lights on. you can see the beam. The fact that I can ride without lights on the roads at night in London and get overtaken by vehicles who give plenty of room tells me different. I trust my own experiences. sorry if you can't handle that. HTFU

Sorry but as a driver as well that's complete bollocks. I can handle that no problem - it's your existence. You can fucking HTFU - in the emergency room.

You get plenty of room because people come up behind you and at the last second realise there's a cyclist in front of them and yank the wheel heavily to the right.

http://lol.i.trollyou.com/LOL-I-TROLL-YOU.png

fuck this thread.

I assume no-one sees me and I use lights. Surely the best of both worlds?

Perfect !

I think the only (lesser) point being made is that use of lights can - with some - lead them to assume (if only partially) that they can be seen/are safe/r.

I subscribe to Tree Trunks' notion that it is best practice to assume every one is an idiot and cannot see you.

fuck this thread.

Fuck you, you fucking fuck.

Go back to Turkey and take your fucking racism with you.

I'm wearing a Turkish flag t-shirt. I wanted you to know.

Sure.

Gay baiter.

I subscribe to Tree Trunks' notion that it is best practice to assume every one is an idiot and cannot see you.

I'm sure we discussed the above sentiment before. Good drivers also assume, that everyone else on the road is an idiot. And they still use the lights.

Use lights you dozy cunts or I'll kick you off your bikes and bum you and blame it on my poor eyesight.

I might bum you with lights on but I'll feel OBLIGED to bum you without them.

good drivers also assume, that everyone else on the road is an idiot.

+1

and they still use the lights.

+2