An operation by Thames Valley Police in Oxford, which has seen multiple cyclists fined for riding without lights at night, has been met with criticism from residents. 

During a one-hour operation, eight cyclists were issued with fixed penalty notices, each carrying a £50 fine. The checks were carried out in Summertown, following a similar operation earlier this winter, which attracted significant reaction on social media.

In a Facebook post, TVP Oxford said: “We were back in Summertown to ticket cyclists for riding without lights on their bicycles at night.

“Throughout the hour of the operation, eight cyclists were ticketed for cycling with no lights on their bicycles. Please be aware that use of a pedal cycle without lights at night is an offence and will incur a £50 fine.”

2022 See Sense ICON3 Rear Light
2022 See Sense ICON3 Rear Light (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

The enforcement action has sparked criticism on Facebook over the use of police funds. 

Tony Brett said that “I disapprove strongly of cycling without lights when it’s dark; however, I have to ask TVP Oxford, and specifically the resource allocator Matthew Barber, if this really is the biggest risk to road safety in Oxford at the moment and thus whether this action is the best use of scarce police resources.” 

Emily Pillinger-Avlamis added: “Fine – this is important to send a message that riding without lights is indeed reckless and dangerous. But why not also stop and fine the endless streams of motorists breaking the 20mph limits about Oxford?

“Their dangerous decision-making is far more consequential than that of cyclists riding without lights.”

> 6 tips for cycling at night – don’t let the dark stop you riding

However, other residents welcomed the police action, saying it would encourage cyclists to be safer. 

 Janet Stone said: “I knocked a boy off his bike, no lights, all in black, it was autumn teatime, so dusk. I stopped, and he got up and rode off.

“I reported it – my bonnet was all scratched and dented. What can you do? I was shaken, and I’m guessing he was ok.”

Andrew Smith added, “I am a cyclist and a car driver. We all know how hard it is driving at night, with dazzling oncoming headlights and potholes everywhere.

“Throw a cyclist with no lights into the mix, and it’s asking for heartbreak.”

> Pro cyclist-led lights campaign, endorsed by Tadej Pogačar, “feeds into victim-blaming culture”, says road safety expert

Under the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989, it is illegal to ride a bicycle without lights and reflectors between sunset and sunrise. Bikes must be fitted with a white front light, a red rear light, a red rear reflector and amber pedal reflectors.

Similar enforcement and awareness campaigns elsewhere in the UK have proved controversial. Road safety campaigners have criticised some initiatives for “feeding into a victim-blaming culture” by placing responsibility for safety on cyclists rather than addressing dangerous driving.

Mark Le Sage promoting ‘Don’t Be Dim, Be A Bright Cyclist’ campaign and Halfords offer
Mark Le Sage promoting ‘Don’t Be Dim, Be A Bright Cyclist’ campaign and Halfords offer (Image Credit: Rightside Trust and Ella’s Project)

A 2023 “Be Bright Wear a Light” campaign, launched in 2023 by pro rider Rachel Neylan and endorsed by four-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar and former world champion Elisa Balsamo, was described by Dr Robert Davis of the Road Danger Reduction Forum as “well-intentioned” but lacking understanding of “what’s required to not being hit by drivers”.

More recently, the “Don’t Be Dim, Be A Bright Cyclist” campaign in Spalding, Lincolnshire, launched in partnership with local police and Halfords, has aimed to improve visibility while offering discounts on bike lights.

The campaign, which runs between 21 January and 21 February, aims to “raise awareness about keeping cyclists safe on our roads” by emphasising that “visibility can save lives”.