Is there any possible valid reason

[lankeela]

why bike makers don't put lights on them? Saw two morons about a mile apart tonight cycling without lights on a dark country road. Do they get a kick from taking such a risk? Don't they think about the poor driver who at best could be traumatised and at worst end up being killed if they swerved and crashed? Would you as a parent allow a youngster to cycle at night without lights? I certainly would not.

[vulcan]

well, it's against the law to ride without lights but as most cyclists see themselves above the law I don't suppose it bothers them.

[SlackAlice]

I'm with you on this one. Only reason bicycle manufacturers do not fit lights is one of cost and it's not a legal requirement to be fitted at source. In France you cannot buy a new bicycle without lights and from what I can see it adds little to the cost overall.

[Smowball]

I agree. My son had a friend to stay the other night and about 6pm the following day he announced he was biking home. No ur not i said, its dark. My mum doesnt care he said. I could have cried.

[trt]

Its common where I live in the country, they never have lights on their bikes and, they would be the first ones ones to complain when they have been run
over, squashed and dead!:-)

But seriously lankeela, they are a pain and should be fined, but it will never happen.

I think they should have to pay road tax, like motorist have too!

[lankeela]

If its illegal to ride them without lights at night surely it must also be when its foggy or in poor weather so they would need them even during the day.

[vulcan]

That's certainly true lankeela,but I haven't seen lights on children's bicycles
for years. I assume the Police don't bother so Parents don't either which is strange. All the Children have phones for Safety but the Parents are quite happy to let them go out without lights. I agree with trt, not only should cyclists pay road tax they should be insured as well.

[Philtaz]

To me it often appears to be sheer laziness and complete disregard for one's own or child's safety when a full set of front and back lights is readily available at Poundland et al, which is where I bought mine.

[maggiebee]

Remember in the late 50s my brother was fined 10/- for riding a bike from Invergowrie to Dundee (2 miles) without lights! Lot of money then and my dad was furious.

[boxtops]

I can only think of cost - you get income if customers have to buy light separately.

[EvianBaby]

There are lots of kids in this area and I've lost count the amount of times they come flying out the park across the road in the dark with no lights on. They are almost invisible. Most of them don't have helmets on either.

[rockyracoon]

Cars and motoybikes have to be fitted with working lights or they're not roadworthy can't see why it's not the same for bikes, manufacturers can just put it on the price of the bike, if people want to pimp the bike up with different ones then they are free to do so.