Lights on helmet

psutton
psutton Posts: 206
edited October 2008 in Campaign
Two serious roadies were chatting in my LBS this morning and one said that lights on helmets are illegal. I butted in and asked if he was sure about that and he said he was. I have a few tiny LED flashers on my helmet but mainly rely on my trusty Dinottes. So - what is the position on helmet lights?

Comments

  • Cunobelin
    Cunobelin Posts: 11,792
    Noot covered by law as far as I know.....

    The way I understand this (and I am open to correction) is that the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations are just that - applicable to the vehicle.

    So for instance if a light is attached to the bike - it must comply.

    However a head torch (or similar) attached to the body is the same regardless of whether you are a walker, cyclist, canoeist or potholer and hence not regulated.
    <b><i>He that buys land buys many stones.
    He that buys flesh buys many bones.
    He that buys eggs buys many shells,
    But he that buys good beer buys nothing else.</b></i>
    (Unattributed Trad.)
  • fast as fupp
    fast as fupp Posts: 2,277
    cunobelin's correct- you can dress like this helmet if you like and dibble wont be able to touch you!

    http://www.gsio.com/systems/lightman/lightman.htm
    'dont forget lads, one evertonian is worth twenty kopites'
  • spen666
    spen666 Posts: 17,709
    fast as fupp wrote:
    cunobelin's correct- you can dress like this helmet if you like and dibble wont be able to touch you!

    http://www.gsio.com/systems/lightman/lightman.htm
    Unless the light is such as causing problems for other road users etc- then it may be an offence- possibly under non road traffic legislation.

    But helmet lights are not illegal per se. There must of course be the required lights and reflectors on the bike after dark though. The helmet does not count as being on the bike
    Want to know the Spen666 behind the posts?
    Then read MY BLOG @ http://www.pebennett.com

    Twittering @spen_666
  • Eat My Dust
    Eat My Dust Posts: 3,965
    spen666 wrote:
    The helmet does not count as being on the bike

    Even when it's dangling off the handlebars?
    SNAPS
  • on the road
    on the road Posts: 5,631
    fast as fupp wrote:
    cunobelin's correct- you can dress like this helmet if you like and dibble wont be able to touch you!

    http://www.gsio.com/systems/lightman/lightman.htm
    That's quite scary 4_6_100.gif
  • Mithras
    Mithras Posts: 428
    edited October 2008
    I agree, no rules about using lights on your hat.
    I have two small led lights on top of my helmet....White to the front, red to rear. Just makes you safer!
    I can afford to talk softly!....................I carry a big stick!
  • chuckcork
    chuckcork Posts: 1,471
    I put one on for winter riding, never thought of it as a problem.

    There are obvious safety benefits, not least that you have a light at high level, which is to say above the height of most cars which otherwise screen the bar-level lights from the view of oncoming traffic. Assists if you have to change a flat in the dark as well, but traffic laws don't think of such things.

    I also have placed a few at times on the rear of the helmet, though now I've just applied ScotchLite strips intead.
    'Twas Mulga Bill, from Eaglehawk, that caught the cycling craze....
  • beverick
    beverick Posts: 3,461
    on the road wrote:
    fast as fupp wrote:
    cunobelin's correct- you can dress like this helmet if you like and dibble wont be able to touch you!

    http://www.gsio.com/systems/lightman/lightman.htm
    That's quite scary 4_6_100.gif

    The one with the lights ON is the scary one...

    Bob

Categories