Headlights on

[Kickstart]

Hi

Looks like someone tried to sneak in a change to make headlights on compulsory on bikes in the road safety bill.

https://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm061009/debtext/61009-0005.htm#06100913000001

About half way down.

[stinkwheel]

They'd have had a hell of a job getting that through as it is worded because it rides roughshod over a whole pile of specific exemptions in other statuatory instruments. Especially with regard to 'offroad' bikes and mopeds.

All of which would have to be found and revoked before that act could be realistically enforced.

It would also be retroactive, which is something that is very rarely done (seatbelts in cars is the only one I can think of offhand), There are road legal bikes with no headlights which were made after 1973.

[Kickstart]

Thought any bike first used after 1st January 1931 required a headlight.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[joe black]

if its a headlight on issue don,t all new bikes have them on ,eu rules again . two friends of mine ,hornet600/1200bandit , lights on permanantly .

[T1z3R]

forgive my ignorance but what problem does this pose for us riders?

doesnt bother me none if i have to have my lights on all the time.
____________________
duck my sick!

[feef]

[T1z3R]

the matter of choice is fair enough but i think if the arguement against this is purely because the choice is being taken away then i cant see the need to protest against such a minor thing personally.

if there is a definite link between lights on and higher accident rates then obviously that is a concern but it affects me not if my lights have or have not to be on during the day is all im saying.
____________________
duck my sick!

[krebsy]

It's only because new bikes have the lights on permanently that it's up for discussion. I'm glad that my 2002 zzr still has the lightswitch and the non-digital dash.. . Just need to get a hazard light switch fitted. I can't believe that the bike doesn't have one as standard. Luckilly the Datatool-3 has a hazard light option which came in handy when rescuing Mrs. K. when the car died.

A friend has a kit car and you'd be suprised at what the rules allow. He didn't fit a windscreen because if he did, he'd have to fit wiper blades as well. on the MOT your headlights need to be working, correctly aligned etc. His solution? Don't fit them. Still road legal, just restricted to daylight running.

Same with his normal car. He was using it as an impromptu van for a while so had disconnected the back seats from the mounts. Didn't have time to re-fit them so simply took the seats out. No seats therefore no requirement to have them secure in the car.

K.
____________________
What's my New Year's resolution?

1280 x 1024.

[map]

[T1z3R]

never read that thread but that clearly shows it to be a problem that had never crossed my mind before.
____________________
duck my sick!

[gixxersixx]

[six]

most of the bikers I see have 1 light on anyway! lol

It is nice to choose though. Especially during summer
____________________
I ride: 2003 Aprilia RS50
Yamaha R1 Fund: ?-0600.00 (grr )

[syl]

[mchaggis]

Some eejit politician thinks they can wangle a bit of legislation like that in? So you can be prosecuted for moving a switch on the bike all the way to the right?! Alternatively, it'll give the police even more scope to pull people - Oh, your tail light is out, we'll have to stop you! Never mind the fact that it might actually be safer with it off.


I really do wish politicians would do proper research or listen to truly independent, knowledgeable advisers before creating legislation. Most of the time, the legislation they are creating doesn't even have public support; by the people for the people?
____________________
I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[kawashima]

Japanese bikes sold in japan doesn't have light switch since it was ruled in 1998. Also light switch of all reimported/ imported bikes must be removed by seller (to pass MOT). 8 years has passed and now we feel it natural scene. I personally like to turn on the headlight daytime but I feel sorry for whom buys imported bikes cause they must suffer retrofit cost.
====
Correction : I heard from Kawasaki shop that Imported model of kawasaki (ZZR1400, ER-6n etc) are Malaysian version, and they have no light switch, so retrofit isn't necessary.
Regarding other makers, US/Euro versions are popular so retrofit is necessary.
====

[six]

just another example of how we are beoming a nanny state. Its our lives... and if other road users aren't paying proper attention... thats their fault right?
____________________
I ride: 2003 Aprilia RS50
Yamaha R1 Fund: ?-0600.00 (grr )

[stinkwheel]

[Kickstart]

[stinkwheel]

Road legal as in legal to ride on the road. Trials bikes are legally exempt from C+U regulations.

Of course, it is almost impossable to find out what the C+U regulations actually are. The government wouldn't want people going around knowing what they can and can't do. You just have to find out for yourself when you do it wrong and get a fine from the vehicle inspectorate. Ignorance is still however, no excuse.

[Kickstart]

[stinkwheel]

As I recall, it also says they are NOT required on a bike which carries only the rider and is primarily designed for off-road use (by virtue of the frame design or tyres fitted).

[Kickstart]

Hi

No, that exemption applies to indicators.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Walloper]

Is there any scientific study to back up the lights on lights off issue?

I would consider under 'normal' day-light circumstances having a dipped headlight on will make a motor bike more visible to other road users.

As normal, there are exceptions and disadvantages to the practice.

The Blinded by the light thread is valid.

But under the same lighting conditions as in the pic I would say the bike would be almost invisible in front of the car if NO light on.

It's like the little niggle the euros have about twin head lights on bike being on together. Bla de Bla de Bla....

They say, "It looks like a car, but far in the distance."

"Oh, does it?"

It's back to the biker.

Drive according to road conditions and you stand a better chance of being safe.

LIKE I ALWAYS DO!

***Usual shower of abuse to follow***
____________________
W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[BFG]

Lights on in daytime makes it more difficult for other vehicles to judge your approach speed.

[natv4]

Under these circumstances, enough opinions and evidence to suggest appropriate use is best, why would we need our government to step in and take our choice away?

I disagree with several recent laws forcing peoples hands. We are all intelligent beings. Why should we not be able to choose appropriate use?

Why should the government nanny us like this? I like my personal freedom, why should someone else decide these things for me? Why should I be fined for disagreeing with someone on an issue like this?
____________________
Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007