Cycling Eyesight Standards

General cycling advice ( NOT technical ! )
Nearholmer
Posts: 3927
Joined: 26 Mar 2022, 7:13am

Re: Cycling Eyesight Standards

Post by Nearholmer »

Depends on the cause/nature too. I suffered a torn retina, which seriously affected vision in that eye for several months, and even after being fixed has left that eye mildly impaired. Torn retina is more common with age, but occurs while the rest of the body is still plenty fit.

Now the weird part: although I definitely felt too ‘blind’ to drive for a few weeks, by law I was perfectly fit to do so. One can drive with one eye, provided it has good visual acuity, using specs if necessary. I was quite amazed when the doctor told me I was ‘safe to drive’ after the various checks, because I surely wasn’t!

The driving eyesight standards are surprisingly low, so anyone who has failed them has got pretty poor sight.
Last edited by Nearholmer on 26 Sep 2022, 11:26am, edited 2 times in total.
Jdsk
Posts: 24636
Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: Cycling Eyesight Standards

Post by Jdsk »

Psamathe wrote: 26 Sep 2022, 11:13am I wonder if there is any aspect of Personal Liability Insurance cover. If the rider with vision issues has 3rd Party Liability Cover I wonder if this might be voided or limited if they failed to make their insurance company aware of conditions that impact the risks. Or maybe the Insurance company just accept it's rare. Plus 3rd Party Liability Insurance is something one can choose to have or not have and not a requirement.

My 3rd Party Liability cover is included with my House Insurance Policy and they never ask anything about health conditions for any activities but maybe there is some broad sweeping question/condition I didn't spot (because it does not apply to me).
Yes, you should inform an insurer of everything relevant.

And it could be relevant in civil action regardless of insurance.

And it could be in criminal action if sufficiently reckless.

Jonathan
drossall
Posts: 6115
Joined: 5 Jan 2007, 10:01pm
Location: North Hertfordshire

Re: Cycling Eyesight Standards

Post by drossall »

Special regulation has been introduced over the years for motorists, because of the level of danger that we pose when travelling in that manner. It tends to be more catch-all for other modes. So, whilst there's unlikely to be eyesight legislation for cyclists, I would think that riding whilst unable to see clearly might be prosecuted under some more generic heading, such as reckless riding. In particular, if an accident were to result, the cyclist might be held at fault and prosecuted.

In much the same way, legislation about not using mobile phones when operating a motor vehicle does not, by definition, apply to cyclists. However, if you ride into someone while using one, you may still find yourself being prosecuted for it. For one thing, the general rules about being in proper control of a vehicle do apply.
axel_knutt
Posts: 2880
Joined: 11 Jan 2007, 12:20pm

Re: Cycling Eyesight Standards

Post by axel_knutt »

Barrowman wrote: 26 Sep 2022, 9:45amthe DVLA have revoked the licence
On what grounds? Is it pending a decision, or has the decision already been made?
Carlton green wrote: 26 Sep 2022, 10:15am
Jdsk wrote: 26 Sep 2022, 10:01am And it can often help to ask a neutral party to advise.

Many driving instructors do this for the enormous problem of old people who want to continue driving.

Any suggestions for who could help with this? GP? Optician?

Jonathan
people will very often advise you not to do something just in case you do and have a mishap - you don’t get sued for telling people not to do something.
IME doctors are frightened of the DVLA because they don't want the responsibility of making a decision.

My eyesight is affected by ocular migraines, so I asked the GP if I need to declare it, and was told to ask the DVLA.
When I rang the DVLA expecting advice from a medic I had my licence confiscated on the spot by a kid in the call centre who asked "what's a migraine?". It became obvious they're under strict instructions not to transfer you to anyone with the qualifications or authority to make a decision.

They sent a letter telling me I could have my licence back when my doctor said I was fit to drive, so I went back to the GP who again told me to ask the DVLA, adding "it's not my job to give medical opinions". I then spent several months in a Kafkaesque game of Pig in the Middle:

Go and ask the DVLA
Go and ask your GP
Go and ask the DVLA
Go and ask your GP

During this time the GP ignored the DVLA's correspondence.

The DVLA's customer service standards say that they'll deal with cases in 90 working days, so on the 90th day they sent a letter saying "You can have your licence back when the Dr says you're fit", which was what they had been saying all along. When I showed the GP the letter he again refused to make a decision, saying "leave it with me".

A few days later I got another letter from the DVLA saying that I could have my licence back, so I never did find out who backed down and made the decision.

I asked the cardiologist about fitness to drive when I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, and he just squirmed in his chair and avoided the question, so I filled in the form off the DVLA website and got a letter back a few weeks later saying I could keep my licence. I don't know who made that decision either.
Nearholmer wrote: 26 Sep 2022, 11:22amThe driving eyesight standards are surprisingly low, so anyone who has failed them has got pretty poor sight.
My cousin drives with sight in only one eye, so there don't appear to be any visual field requirements (unless she just hasn't declared it).

It used to be compulsory to declare AF, but I didn't see much evidence of people on the AF forum doing so. Nowadays they just say that you must declare "if it affects your ability to drive", but don't say whose decision that is.
“I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you.”
― Friedrich Nietzsche
jois
Posts: 334
Joined: 22 Sep 2022, 12:29pm

Re: Cycling Eyesight Standards

Post by jois »

drossall wrote: 26 Sep 2022, 1:36pm Special regulation has been introduced over the years for motorists, because of the level of danger that we pose when travelling in that manner. It tends to be more catch-all for other modes. So, whilst there's unlikely to be eyesight legislation for cyclists, I would think that riding whilst unable to see clearly might be prosecuted under some more generic heading, such as reckless riding. In particular, if an accident were to result, the cyclist might be held at fault and prosecuted.

In much the same way, legislation about not using mobile phones when operating a motor vehicle does not, by definition, apply to cyclists. However, if you ride into someone while using one, you may still find yourself being prosecuted for it. For one thing, the general rules about being in proper control of a vehicle do apply.
They would have quite a job proving it, as performing an eye test is not a requirement that the police can impose on cyclists. I'm not sure in the more general sense they could prosicute for having eye sight below a standard that no one has set

I did have a fairly long conversation with a policeman about if the fact my licence said " normally" wear glasses if i was guilty of driving not in accordance with my licence as I had contact lens in.
Jdsk
Posts: 24636
Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: Cycling Eyesight Standards

Post by Jdsk »

jois wrote: 26 Sep 2022, 3:53pm
drossall wrote: 26 Sep 2022, 1:36pm Special regulation has been introduced over the years for motorists, because of the level of danger that we pose when travelling in that manner. It tends to be more catch-all for other modes. So, whilst there's unlikely to be eyesight legislation for cyclists, I would think that riding whilst unable to see clearly might be prosecuted under some more generic heading, such as reckless riding. In particular, if an accident were to result, the cyclist might be held at fault and prosecuted.

In much the same way, legislation about not using mobile phones when operating a motor vehicle does not, by definition, apply to cyclists. However, if you ride into someone while using one, you may still find yourself being prosecuted for it. For one thing, the general rules about being in proper control of a vehicle do apply.
They would have quite a job proving it, as performing an eye test is not a requirement that the police can impose on cyclists. I'm not sure in the more general sense they could prosicute for having eye sight below a standard that no one has set
Strict liability of the sort that we see in many driving offences and licensing to drive and the related tests are unusual. Most decisions in civil liability and criminal prosecution don't rely on either.

Jonathan
MartinC
Posts: 2127
Joined: 10 May 2007, 6:31pm
Location: Bredon

Re: Cycling Eyesight Standards

Post by MartinC »

I'd guess that the functional eyesight requirements for cycling aren't much more than for jogging i.e. the person themself (or their parents if a minor) is best placed to assess their vulnerability and if they get it wrong then they place others at little risk.
jois
Posts: 334
Joined: 22 Sep 2022, 12:29pm

Re: Cycling Eyesight Standards

Post by jois »

Jdsk wrote: 26 Sep 2022, 4:01pm
jois wrote: 26 Sep 2022, 3:53pm
drossall wrote: 26 Sep 2022, 1:36pm Special regulation has been introduced over the years for motorists, because of the level of danger that we pose when travelling in that manner. It tends to be more catch-all for other modes. So, whilst there's unlikely to be eyesight legislation for cyclists, I would think that riding whilst unable to see clearly might be prosecuted under some more generic heading, such as reckless riding. In particular, if an accident were to result, the cyclist might be held at fault and prosecuted.

In much the same way, legislation about not using mobile phones when operating a motor vehicle does not, by definition, apply to cyclists. However, if you ride into someone while using one, you may still find yourself being prosecuted for it. For one thing, the general rules about being in proper control of a vehicle do apply.
They would have quite a job proving it, as performing an eye test is not a requirement that the police can impose on cyclists. I'm not sure in the more general sense they could prosicute for having eye sight below a standard that no one has set
Strict liability of the sort that we see in many driving offences and licensing to drive and the related tests are unusual. Most decisions in civil liability and criminal prosecution don't rely on either.

Jonathan
I'm not sure I'm following you !

With out some way of requiring an eye test be taken and some minimum standard to be observed it seems difficult even on the Ballance of probabilities they would find that eye sight was defective.unless you walk in with a white stick
Nearholmer
Posts: 3927
Joined: 26 Mar 2022, 7:13am

Re: Cycling Eyesight Standards

Post by Nearholmer »

My cousin drives with sight in only one eye, so there don't appear to be any visual field requirements (unless she just hasn't declared it).
There is no requirement; for driving a car you don’t even have to declare monocularness to the DVLA if you pass the visual acuity and field tests with the good eye. I think the standard might be different to drive a bus or HGV.
Last edited by Nearholmer on 26 Sep 2022, 4:22pm, edited 1 time in total.
ANTONISH
Posts: 2967
Joined: 26 Mar 2009, 9:49am

Re: Cycling Eyesight Standards

Post by ANTONISH »

It strikes me that the UK eyesight test for driving is not that onerous.
However, not being able to read a numberplate at the required distance doesn't necessarily mean one isn't safe to cycle.
Although I can (just) read a numberplate at the required distance I took the test wearing glasses as I found the marginally clearer vision preferable.
Although I drive with glasses I don't usually cycle with them - I did have some night vision difficulty cycling at night but with my hub generator and Edelux lamp this is much better.
Jdsk
Posts: 24636
Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: Cycling Eyesight Standards

Post by Jdsk »

jois wrote: 26 Sep 2022, 4:13pm
Jdsk wrote: 26 Sep 2022, 4:01pm
jois wrote: 26 Sep 2022, 3:53pm
They would have quite a job proving it, as performing an eye test is not a requirement that the police can impose on cyclists. I'm not sure in the more general sense they could prosicute for having eye sight below a standard that no one has set
Strict liability of the sort that we see in many driving offences and licensing to drive and the related tests are unusual. Most decisions in civil liability and criminal prosecution don't rely on either.
I'm not sure I'm following you !

With out some way of requiring an eye test be taken and some minimum standard to be observed it seems difficult even on the Ballance of probabilities they would find that eye sight was defective.unless you walk in with a white stick
I recommend reading the original post:
Barrowman wrote: 26 Sep 2022, 8:56amI ask on behalf of a friend if a friend who has had to surrender their driving licence due to eyesight issues...
That would be rather good evidence of both eyesight being defective and it being known to be defective.

Jonathan
jois
Posts: 334
Joined: 22 Sep 2022, 12:29pm

Re: Cycling Eyesight Standards

Post by jois »

ANTONISH wrote: 26 Sep 2022, 4:21pm It strikes me that the UK eyesight test for driving is not that onerous.
However, not being able to read a numberplate at the required distance doesn't necessarily mean one isn't safe to cycle.
Although I can (just) read a numberplate at the required distance I took the test wearing glasses as I found the marginally clearer vision preferable.
Although I drive with glasses I don't usually cycle with them - I did have some night vision difficulty cycling at night but with my hub generator and Edelux lamp this is much better.
It doesn't necessarily mean your not safe to drive. It's seeing the car that's the important bit
User avatar
mjr
Posts: 20308
Joined: 20 Jun 2011, 7:06pm
Location: Norfolk or Somerset, mostly
Contact:

Re: Cycling Eyesight Standards

Post by mjr »

Barrowman wrote: 26 Sep 2022, 8:56am Is anyone aware of statutory legislation regarding minimum eyesight standards required to Cycle in the UK?
I believe the only requirement is that they ride so they can stop within that they can see to be clear.

For most people, that's about obstructed visibility, but it may mean someone with poor vision has to ride more slowly.
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
Ron
Posts: 1384
Joined: 5 Jan 2007, 9:07pm

Re: Cycling Eyesight Standards

Post by Ron »

It depends on the nature of the eye defect, the friend would be better to discuss the issue with an eye specialist.
jois
Posts: 334
Joined: 22 Sep 2022, 12:29pm

Re: Cycling Eyesight Standards

Post by jois »

When I went for my motorbike test on the Monday I'd been in a fight on the Saturday had my glasses broken and stiches under my eye. So I took a gamble and memorised the number plate on a red mini 25 yards away. It worked out fine ,i even managed not to run him over when he did the stepping out in front of you for the emergency stop.

However the bike burst into flames on the way home, which wasn't the end of the world as it wasn't mine
Post Reply