Road safety and training
Cycle lights
In the UK more cycle accidents occur between May and September than October to April. However, the casualty rate in terms of miles travelled is higher over the autumn and winter period. A significant factor as to why this occurs relates to the visibility of cyclists riding in poor light conditions or at night.
By fitting your bike with a white front light and a rear red light you are giving yourself a chance of being seen by other road users. Since 2005 the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (RVLR) deemed the use of flashing cycle lights appropriate on the highway. To conform to the legal standards of the RVLR lights have to emit a minimum output of four candela. So, in the words of the 'Two Ronnies’, it’s as bright as 'four candles'. Lights are also required to flash at an equal and constant rate of between 60 and 240 flashes per minute.
Choosing a light
To make things even more complicated the regulations deemed appropriate by the RVLR were set considering the requirements for riding in areas with street lighting. Therefore, RVLR lights are not required to provide any ‘beam of light’. Although lights meeting the RVLR standards can provide increased visibility to other road users they are pretty useless cycling down a dark road or unlit cycle way.
The best option is to focus on the different lighting conditions you experience whilst cycling on the road. Cyclists who follow main roads and generally ride in urban town centres will do so in areas with street lighting and are unlikely to need an additional light with a beam. In contrast commuter cyclists mixing up urban areas, quiet roads and off road cycle routes would benefit from doubling up, fitting both flashing lights and a beam to shine on the road surface. For the more hardcore mountain biker there are lights to flood the trail and give your car lights a run for their money. However they come with a crazy price tag compared to your standard light set.
Be bright be seen!
