Barclays bikes

[robbyd]

Seen these hire bikes a lot on tv recently - they seem to have one flashing led light bar on the front - thought this was technically illegal - oversight seems unlikely given the scale of this scheme...?

[robpearson]

Agreed, I thought you needed a constantly on lint front and rear.

[robbyd]

and as I assume you can hire these 24/7, aren't they liable for ensuring adequate illumination - that led won't light anything!

[0a]

And no helmet required - good old boris, couldn't give a toss so long as it works (which it does as a scheme).

[okgo]

Helmets are a personal choice and boris has no business interfering with that choice.

[essayer]

robbyd said:

and as I assume you can hire these 24/7, aren't they liable for ensuring adequate illumination - that led won't light anything!

They're pretty bright; good for being noticed. Back ones do the same (flashing rear each side of the rear hub)

Central London is pretty well illuminated so no need for bright lights.

[Kermit power]

The law was changed in 2005 to allow flashing lights, and whilst it is recommended that bikes have solid lights in areas without street lighting, it's not actually a legal requirement.