What if I break the highway code?

[ItchyPete]

On my regular commute to and from work I use LED lights on the front and back (one flashing on the front, one flashing on the back and one constant at the back). I also have a small LED flashing on my rucsac.

I don't have reflectors on my bike, however I have reflectors on my clothing.

As I understand it I'm breaking the highway code... but is this likely to affect my life insurance / CTC insurance?

Could using even one flashing LED on my bike prevent a pay out if I have an accident?

[CJ]

The Highway Code is not law, it comprises a set of instructions about how to comply with various laws, augmented by advice. You cannot break the Highway Code, but by disregarding it's instructions about lights, you contravene the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations.

I cannot comment on insurance, but that law-breaking does make you liable to claims of contributory negligence, should you be involved in an accident.

[Andy Tallis]

Do your lights incorporate a rd rear reflector anyway? The only other ones required by law are pedal reflectors. I don't use them as I have clipless pedals. Flashing lights on a bike are technically illegal but I'm not sure about one on a rucksack. They aren't really suitable as the only lights as it's difficult for someone to track your progress. I use 1-2 steady front lights and 2 back (one steady , one flashing.) Many of my friends do the same.

Policemen are unlikely to arrest you for being seen though

[Elucasr]

Email from Yannick say's it is now legal to use flashing LED's provided they are of high power.

[CyclingCarl]

Following the bashing that Sustrans got on another thread here I find it amusing that the Sustrans (Rangers only) forum has the following post:

Flashing Allowed on Bikes!!!
The following will know doubt interest us all.

Flashing legalised

Following sustained campaigning by CTC, the UK’s national cyclists’ organisation, and just in time for when the clocks go back this year, it should at last become legal to use flashing lights on your bike. The Minister of State, Dr Stephen Ladyman, this week signed the order; and provided there are no parliamentary objections before then, it should become law in October.
The details were decided in close consultation with CTC's technical officer, Chris Juden, who said: “This is a welcome liberalisation of cycle lighting law because provided they are bright enough, flashers front and rear will not only be legal, but will be all the lights you need.”
In brief, to be legally approved a light may flash at least once and not more than four times per second with a brilliance of at least four candle-power. Most of the better quality flashing lights on sale today, meet that simple requirement.
Unfortunately DfT felt unable to make any changes beyond the matter of flashing lights. This will have some strange and unintended consequences. Since lamps emitting a steady light must still conform with BS6102/3 and all that entails, it now becomes much simpler to be legal by flashing than not! DfT are aware of this paradox and intend to add a recommendation to the Highway Code (currently also under review) to use a steady headlamp on unlit roads.
CTC continues to campaign for a similar, simple legal approval of lamps emitting steady light, and for a permitted alternative to pedal reflectors in cases where these cannot be used or seen. Until then: cyclists who sensibly light their way with one of those brilliant rechargeable headlamps, that emit thousands of candle-power but are non-the-less, non-BS, can most easily make themselves legal by also fitting a little 4-candela flasher.

Carl

[Andy Tallis]

FRANTASTIC!!!!!!

I would still say it's best to use a steady light as well but that's a very welcome change to the law for many of us.

If they give an outclause for pedal reflectors it will be even better.

[Elucasr]

Regarding the high powered lights, I bought two Smart twin lamp sets and on both of them the reflectors deteriorated rapidly. I have now replaced the lamps with dynamo headlamps. this had the effect of making them legal as the D/Headlamps are BS6012/3. As I live in a rural area I often ride unlit roads so these lamps give me a better light than the usual battery lamps.

[Andy Tallis]

I too recently replaced a smart twin halogen lightset with schmidt hub & lamp. The 3w beam is far better tahn the 2.4w on the smart, and comparable to the 10w in terms of usefulness. The weight is far less (thoguh omnipresent) and the drag negligible. It's gauranteed for 3 years (I went through 3.5 smart sets in one year), and has recieved positive comments about visibility.
Long live the dynamo

[Tony Smith]

I too recently upgraded from a B+M dynamo system to a SON. I spent the extra on a second headlamp because most of my cycling is on unlit roads. Having 5.4W instead of 2.4W and with the different beam patterns makes a huge difference. Only problem is I think it'll cost me a fortune in bulbs as I keep forgetting to switch off in the morning and ride around in the day with my lights on because I can't tell the difference in drag.

[Andy Tallis]

I've done that one too. Is there supposed to be any less drag from having 2 lamps by the way?

[GreenArrow]

If you really want to break the Highway Code...

I ride a recumbent trike, so the pedal reflectors being seen clearly from behind bit is impossible, for a start... (don't have a big hole in my body).

Lights: I have 3 LED lamps on the rear (2 BS-rated steady at each side + a flashing bar) and one on my mirror stalk. (OK, I know it's a bit OTT, but I did get carried away- they looked so cool!)
Front light: I treated myself to one of those (eye-wateringly priced) high-intensity discharge lamps from Lumicycle, over 4 hours of equivalent to 40W Halogen... awesome! I have the "flood" beam... well, it's mounted less than a foot off the floor so not much chance of dazzle. Really gets you seen when going around roundabouts at night.

However, this does not comply with the BS, so I've also added a flashing front LED (invisible in the HID beam) to make it technically compliant(ish).

Then I've got reflectives all over (bands on flagpole, front two mudguards, seat back & sides, rack mounts & pannier backs, etc. etc.)

I'm very visible... but technically can never be compliant 'cos of the pedals! Isn't the law an ass sometimes..?

[gar]

If I attached the lights to the underside of my feet then I might be seen by oncoming traffic. There is no other place to put them which is not moving or obscured.

[Elucasr]

Andy,

I did not replace the light sets, only the lamps. The original lead/acid battery packs are still used. LED Cateye BS 6012/3 rearlights are used which overcomes the problem with dynamo rearlights going out when you are waiting to turn right, two AA batteries last all year with these. The lead/acid batteries are recharged after each ride. In summer I use a Smart one watt LED headlamp with NIMH batteries.

[Andy Tallis]

It was the lamp units I went through too, and had trouble fondong spares in among the countless batteries in my bike shop's parts bin. Seems the lamps are rubbish and the batteries fine (if heavy.) I too use one of the BS cateye lights. The dynamo is only to power a headlight bright enough to see on unlit roads. Use an LED as well as it has no standlight.

[Tony Smith]

Andy, re less drag for 2 lamps. You don't get owt for nowt I'm afraid so even at 100% efficiency you'll get an extra 3W of drag with the second lamp on....but I honestly can't feel the difference and as about 80% of my cycling is on unlit roads it'd be worthwhile anyway. Also, you mentioned in an erlier post that the 3W dynamo lamp was as good as the 10W battery lamps. Apart from probably having better optics in the dynamo light you'll always* get more light for the same rated bulb out of a dynamo lamp because batteries quickly drop up to about 20% of their supposed power output and reduce performance in cold conditions (great for winter nights!). Dynamo lights have regulators in them to try to keep the voltage down. In the interest of efficiency modern halogen bulbs are effectively over powered to give a big increase in light output at the expense of shorter bulb life. A small drop in voltage makes a big difference - notice how your lights are many times brighter at 10mph than at 5, rather than being just twice as bright. Even so, the difference you're reporting sounds impressive!

* Of course, this could be compensated for by using say, a 9v battery to power a 6v lamp through a regulator.