![\"2022](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/seesense251121-61.jpg\" "\\"2022")
2022 See Sense ICON3 Rear Light (credit: road.cc)<\/p>\nAn operation by Thames Valley Police in Oxford, which has seen multiple cyclists fined for riding without lights at night, has been met with criticism\u00a0from residents.\u00a0<\/p>\n
During a one-hour operation, eight cyclists were issued with fixed penalty notices, each carrying a \u00a350 fine. The checks were carried out in Summertown, following a similar operation earlier this winter, which attracted significant reaction on social media.<\/p>\n
In a Facebook post, TVP Oxford said: \u201cWe were back in Summertown to ticket cyclists for riding without lights on their bicycles at night.<\/p>\n
\u201cThroughout 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 \u00a350 fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
2022 See Sense ICON3 Rear Light (credit: road.cc)<\/p>\n
The enforcement action has sparked criticism on Facebook over the use of police funds.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tony Brett said that \u201cI disapprove strongly of cycling without lights when it’s dark; however, I have to ask\u00a0TVP 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.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Emily Pillinger-Avlamis added: \u201cFine \u2013 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?<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir dangerous decision-making is far more consequential than that of cyclists riding without lights.\u201d<\/p>\n
>\u00a06 tips for cycling at night – don’t let the dark stop you riding<\/a><\/p>\n However, other residents welcomed the police action, saying it would encourage cyclists to be safer.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0Janet Stone said: \u201cI 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI reported it \u2013 my bonnet was all scratched and dented. What can you do? I was shaken, and I\u2019m guessing he was ok.\u201d<\/p>\n Andrew Smith added, \u201cI am a cyclist and a car driver. We all know how hard it is driving at night, with dazzling oncoming headlights and potholes everywhere.<\/p>\n \u201cThrow a cyclist with no lights into the mix, and it\u2019s asking for heartbreak.\u201d<\/p>\n >\u00a0Pro cyclist-led lights campaign, endorsed by Tadej Poga\u010dar, \u201cfeeds into victim-blaming culture\u201d, says road safety expert<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Similar enforcement and awareness campaigns elsewhere in the UK have proved controversial. Road safety campaigners have criticised some initiatives for \u201cfeeding into a victim-blaming culture\u201d by placing responsibility for safety on cyclists rather than addressing dangerous driving.<\/p>\n A 2023 \u201cBe Bright Wear a Light\u201d campaign,\u00a0launched in 2023 by pro rider Rachel Neylan and endorsed by four-time Tour de France winner Tadej Poga\u010dar\u00a0and former world champion Elisa Balsamo,<\/a> was described by Dr Robert Davis of the Road Danger Reduction Forum as \u201cwell-intentioned\u201d but lacking understanding of \u201cwhat\u2019s required to not being hit by drivers\u201d.<\/p>\n![\"Mark](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/dont-be-dim-be-bright-cyclist-campaign-and-halfords-offer.jpg\" "\\"Mark")
Mark Le Sage promoting \u2018Don\u2019t Be Dim, Be A Bright Cyclist\u2019 campaign and Halfords offer (credit: Rightside Trust and Ella\u2019s Project)<\/p>\n