§ Mr. ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will conduct a survey of the number of cyclists in central London who ride their machines after lighting-up time without any lights; if he will assess the risks to road safety resulting from unlit cycles; and what action he is taking to encourage them to ensure that they display adequate lighting.
§ Mr. NorrisOnly about one fifth of all reported cycle accidents happen during the hours of darkness. It is not possible to estimate what proportion of these accidents is caused by the bicycle being unlit. The proposed survey would not permit this to be determined.
The law requires front and rear lights to be used between sunset and sunrise. Advice to cyclists about this requirement is contained in the highway code and that message is reinforced in road safety campaigns, such as the "Cycle Safe" campaign which is to be run later this year.