Police around the country hand out free bike lights and reflectives to keep cyclists safe

don simon wrote:

Quote:

Cyclists in York have been handed free bike lights and safety gear to make sure they comply with the law and stay safe over winter.

Police outside York St John University handed out LED lights and reflective backpack covers to those without their own last week.

Do I now need a reflective backpack cover in order to comply with the law?
When did this happen?
Can we give drivers compulsory eye tests too?
Merry Christmas.

This appears to be a genuine safety based campaign, giving away things that will provide a level of increased visibility, rather than the usual fine and forget approach. If I got stopped and offered additional reflective kit and lights for free, I wouldn't hesitate for a second before accepting it.

andy2204 wrote:

don simon wrote:

Quote:

Cyclists in York have been handed free bike lights and safety gear to make sure they comply with the law and stay safe over winter.

Police outside York St John University handed out LED lights and reflective backpack covers to those without their own last week.

Do I now need a reflective backpack cover in order to comply with the law?
When did this happen?
Can we give drivers compulsory eye tests too?
Merry Christmas.

This appears to be a genuine safety based campaign, giving away things that will provide a level of increased visibility, rather than the usual fine and forget approach. If I got stopped and offered additional reflective kit and lights for free, I wouldn't hesitate for a second before accepting it.

I have no issue with the lights which are a requirement, I worry about making hiziv jackets and helmets compulsory through the back door and the resultant victim blaming.
@ Matheson SMIDSY.

don simon wrote:

This appears to be a genuine safety based campaign, giving away things that will provide a level of increased visibility, rather than the usual fine and forget approach. If I got stopped and offered additional reflective kit and lights for free, I wouldn't hesitate for a second before accepting it.

I have no issue with the lights which are a requirement, I worry about making hiziv jackets and helmets compulsory through the back door and the resultant victim blaming.
@ Matheson SMIDSY. :([/quote]

I think the courts have already started down that road, I was reading some advise on the Cyclist Defence Fund website and Courts seem to routinely take into account Hi Viz and helmets (sorry for rattling that cage) etc when deciding on compensation etc

RedfishUK wrote:

I think the courts have already started down that road, I was reading some advise on the Cyclist Defence Fund website and Courts seem to routinely take into account Hi Viz and helmets (sorry for rattling that cage) etc when deciding on compensation etc

Considering that judges are already telling juries to ignore the highway code when considering verdicts! What hope is there!

https://beyondthekerb.wordpress.com/2014/02/12/futility/

mrmo wrote:

RedfishUK wrote:

I think the courts have already started down that road, I was reading some advise on the Cyclist Defence Fund website and Courts seem to routinely take into account Hi Viz and helmets (sorry for rattling that cage) etc when deciding on compensation etc

Considering that judges are already telling juries to ignore the highway code when considering verdicts! What hope is there!

https://beyondthekerb.wordpress.com/2014/02/12/futility/

Which is fine because they are not the law in that scenario. Any good lawyer should be able to argue against this and use the appropriate law to their advantage and prevent that type of stupidity from the judge prevailing.

don simon wrote:

Quote:

Cyclists in York have been handed free bike lights and safety gear to make sure they comply with the law and stay safe over winter.

Police outside York St John University handed out LED lights and reflective backpack covers to those without their own last week.

Do I now need a reflective backpack cover in order to comply with the law?
When did this happen?
Can we give drivers compulsory eye tests too?
Merry Christmas.

Yawn...obvious pedant is obvious. Go and find a mirror and have an argument with yourself.

You'd be surprised with the number of people who wear a hi-vis jacket and then put a rucksack (usu dark, non-reflective) on and wonder why drivers can't see them from behind!! Hi-vis rucksack covers have got to be worth it, especially as they tend to be waterproof as well - wet kit to change in to for the office is no fun!