Forums Forums Enthusiast Forums A - Z Cycling Young Cyclists with No Lights and no road sense,

Having started driving regularly I have noticed (worryingly) the number of people riding bikes without lights on the roads at night. Sometimes they just shot out in front, are doing wheelies, or going the wrong way down the roads. The worst was last night, as I watched a lad ride his bike on a pavement using his hands to text, while listening to music, as he went to cross the junction, at about 10.30ish.
As drivers we are supposed to look out for all of these things, but at what point should other road users accept the blame if they get involved in an accident.
It's just a matter of time before a young lad or lass, with no road sense, is killed and its the driver that shoulders the blame, the costs and the wrath of the grieving family.
I am not sure what can be done, but if there is someone on here who can influence the local PCSO's maybe that would be a start.
I am being very diplomatic for fear of offending anyone. In short, there is an accident waiting to happen.....and big families express their grief and anger in many ways.

Yes these idiots, do think they are invincible and you are right, it is the poor motorist that suffer's one way or another.

I don't drive, myself, but even as a pedestrian I can fully understand your concerns regarding young cyclists with no road sense. A lot of these cyclists seem to think they're exempt from the rules when it comes to pelican crossings and continue riding at speed regardless of what colour the lights are on. Even the pavements are not safe, a few years ago some idiot was riding his bike at great speed on the pavement along Laird Street and succeeded in knocking an old lady over as she emerged from one of the shops. The cyclist in question was about 16 years old and didn't even stop to see if she was ok.

I agree, the laws should definitely be tougher regarding cyclists. That said, I too, have no wish to offend any cyclists among our members but I'm sure most, if not all, are sensible and cautious when it comes to road safety and therefore, would welcome any changes as much as the rest of us.

They also tend to wear black clothing which also makes it hard to see them in the dark,they think theyre invincible no thought to the car driver &the consequences of their actions.

Only costs around £10 to put lights on a bike.

It is not only kids who do it. I have done it myself riding in black however had atleast 4 lights with 3 of them flashing.

Last week near Heswall I saw a man on a bike with a black helmet, black gloves, black top and black pants.

And guess what?

Yes his bike was black aswell.

Would of been the cars fault for sure.

as a young (24) cyclist, pedestrian and driver i consider myself to have a fair amount of 'road sense' and i perfectly understand where you're coming from, however, don't tar us all with the same brush.

yes i have a smokey grey (almost black) bike, have lights but they're not always on my bike and i ride on the road and pavement (only on pavement when road is busy and pavement is empty because of an incident 2 years ago which i will explain if you want me to but not here and now)

when i'm riding along and a car comes, i move to the other side of the road or onto a pavement, i don't no-handed ride unless i'm 100% certain i'm not going to crash into a car or child (eg along the front at new brighton where you can see everything)

i too am surprised at the blarsay (sp?) attitude of some youngsters on biked who wheelie everywhere (why?? you have no control of the bike with the front wheel in the air...) but please, for the love of god, don't turn this into a thread hating on every (young) cyclist.

What the hell are you on about ?? Get back into your can of

you can get LED lights from ASDA for £3 (other stores are available!)

No excuse for not having lights