Cycling UK Forum

was out walking the dog at around half 8 tonight when a group of around 12 kids rode past me. They were accompanied by two adults so clearly an organised ride. However the adults were the only ones with hi-viz clothing and lights! this would've probably been enough at this time of night if it wasn't dull and drizzling(all the passing cars had lights on). Surely someone should've been legally bound to stop the ride going ahead??

In the modern world this is a litigation situation waiting to happen.

Whilst it was probably not illegal (sunset?), it certainly could have been done better. Even with the statutory minimum standard lighting, 12 of them would show up quite easily...

wasn't quite sunset, tho they were all stopping at a parked car. a mid point drink point or something? maybe in there defence it could've been to pick up lights(unlikely tho). However they still had a way to go so sun could've set by time they finished.

Sounds like no laws were broken and in fact they exceeded legal requirements by running some lights and high-viz during daylight hours. There's quite a lot of space between half eight and darkness nowadays (it's only two weeks from the longest day after all) and the RVLR specifically excludes daylight drizzle as a lighting requirement. I suppose it depends on the location etc. as to whether you'd give them the benefit of the doubt as to getting round in time!

Surely it would be better for the public health to legislate against people who try to stop kids getting vital exercise than blocking them on the grounds that it might get dark sometime after the ride might have ended...

Who knows?

a Scout Troop, who would have to finish at 9pm and would have planned to do so?

I often end up staying out a bit later than I should have done on day rides and end up riding into my village with just minutes to spare because I have allowed myself just enough time to get home before "lights on".

Just checked and Sunset is 9.34pm here, at which point it is still clearly light enough to see but legal "lights on" time. So that gives them an hour to spare.

Depends where in the country you are. It was still light in Edinburgh at 10pm yesterday.