Why do so many cyclists like Dan Walker wear dark clothes making them vulnerable

We noticed how many cyclists were riding on the pavement this morning, despite the fact that there were cycle lanes on both sides of the road, with posts separating them from the road itself.
Yes, cyclists dressed in dark clothing are putting themselves at risk. I also feel that a lot of pedestrians should dress to be seen when crossing the road at night, particularly if they're not using a crossing or at lights.

Very sorry that the cyclist was hurt but do agree about the bright clothes or reflective strips. I also think cyclists should have to pay something akin to the road tax drives pay in order to use the roads which might make some of them think more carefully about correct road use. I have driven through London for example with cyclists riding haphazardly inbetween and on both sides of cars, practically impossible to spot every one of them, eyes have to be permanently on a swivel. Also when councils and tax payers have gone to the expense of providing safer routes to avoid busy traffic troublespots why on earth aren't they used?

Our council upgraded the cycling paths along the busy main road but do the cyclists use it no they ride 2 abreast on the main road

You get very dirty cycling, rain, mud etc. Darker clothes conform to the general standard we have for looking 'smart'. Sad really as a fluorescent jacket really helps. We have a black dog and light her up like a Christmas tree at night, for safety.

I live in a university town and every autumn there are a slew of students who choose to ride bicycles in the dark without lights or light clothing, and to disregard red traffic lights, and cycle the wrong way down one way streets.
When I worked in the town centre I became hyper vigilant crossing roads after dark because I cannot skip out of their way. And when I’m driving I’m even more vigilant.
Terrifying.

Thete is a similar problem with horse riders, some if whom wear very dark clothing. No excuse as there are many safety items of wear for rider and horse. Difficult where I live as lanes are narrow with high banking each side. As a rider and driver I try and be as visible and careful as possible.

It's to hide the mess from the roads, paths, cyclists pick up especially if raining or if surfaces have been wet. I live on edge of woodland park and have no sympathy for cyclists using the paths which are not made up like cycle lanes. As soon as the paths become wet cyclists cause ruts in the surfaces causing water to pool causing muddy surfaces. In past year have been on walk once as paths are a mess and then I found mud on front of trousers and edge of jacket all down to speeding cyclist. Not condoning careless motorists though.

I’ve not seen the video but so many horse riders around here wear dark clothing too, along with cyclists who do. They’re idiots but then when a car driver gets too close it’s the drivers fault for not seeing them 😡😡😡

Germanshepherdsmum

Cyclists rarely consider that they are in the wrong but they so often are the cause of an accident. So many display little common sense and little knowledge of the Highway Code. I used to live in a university city - university students on bikes in term time, foreign students in the vacs. A total nightmare. And the accidents in London when I worked there, with cyclists weaving in and out of traffic - frequently with fatal results. I have been involved in an accident with a cyclist which was 100% her fault.

I agree. My husband was stationary at a roundabout and a cyclist rode straight into the back of his car, and fell off his bike as a result, so must have gone into the car with some force. Someone called an ambulance and my husband had to pay for it. The cyclist wasn’t hurt, but our car was. It was scratched, not badly. So not victim blaming Baggs, that’s a disgraceful comment. The cyclist was 100% responsible and my husband 100% not responsible, but he had to pay for the ambulance.

In defence of cyclists, (my youngest son is one) many motorists are really impatient to get past and take terrible risks in order to do so.

As maddyone and germanshepherdsmum have said, cyclists can be at fault but this is not always recognised. I'm sure we all have every sympathy for their daily struggle with inconsiderate road users, but so many cyclists are selfish and inconsiderate too, especially towards pedestrians. On the whole they are young people who have not bothered to learn the Highway Code and have no idea of their responsibilities as a road user. they just jump on the bike and off they go. As we know, the current way of thinking is that 'I can do whatever I want and no-one has the right to stop me'. So they go whizzing down pavements and across lights both of which are illegal. This is why I think they need registration, licencing and insuring, to make them think and understand their responsibilities before getting on that bike.

Last night on a 5 minute drive 3 cyclists with just a tiny red light at the back and 4 joggers , none of them with any reflective clothing were lucky that I was vigilant.

It should be the law that cyclists wear Hi Vis jackets, police, fire and ambulance staff wear them for a reason. The number of times I see cyclists with no lights on in murky low visibility situations is astounding. I have no problem with motor/push cyclists riding in the middle of a lane where they can be overtaken with the same care and space as overtaking a car, but when they on on your inside then switch to outside and back again or vice versa you can’t know where they are and may very well be in the ’blind’ spot.

I live in a rural place and have to drive to a larger town down A roads to get to and from work. I am exasperated at how many cyclists don't wear reflective tape on their clothing, often cycling in rush hour in the dark. Many get killed it isn't victim blaming, it is worrying

the only thing visible on hi viz is the reflective tape. You can sew it on your own clothes

look, 100 metres for less than £2

www.amazon.co.uk/Iron-Visibility-Reflective-Tape-EN471/dp/B00O5G99K2/ref=asc_df_B00O5G99K2/?hvlocphy=1006517&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=309993507496&hvpone&hvlocint&hvpos&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=gransnetforum-21&hvtargid=pla-762734529357&hvrand=606980769408088415

Everyone is saying they should do this, they should do that, or it should be against the law. But if cyclists cannot be identified then nothing will happen unless they are registered, licenced and insured. Because how can you make an unidentified cyclist obey the law?

Car drivers have the 'safety' of being surrounded by a metal cage. Cyclists are totally open therefore, it should be mandatory for all cyclists to wear hi-vis tops and I also think the bikes should be painted in highly reflective paint. I also believe that bicycles should have lights and a horn on them (the horn more for pedestrians) and they should also pay some kind of road tax.

effalump

Car drivers have the 'safety' of being surrounded by a metal cage. Cyclists are totally open therefore, it should be mandatory for all cyclists to wear hi-vis tops and I also think the bikes should be painted in highly reflective paint. I also believe that bicycles should have lights and a horn on them (the horn more for pedestrians) and they should also pay some kind of road tax.

I rest my case. Should, should, should, should. How do you propose to make them do this effalump?

In my so-called cycling city a large number of cyclists wear black, have no lights nor reflectors. It also seems to be de rigeur to cycle on the pavements even when there is no traffic. Twice recently I spoke to two such cyclists. With one I had a pleasant conversation, she was very reasonable. I explained to her that cyclists are silent and pedestrians cannot hear them approaching from behind. And - that I am DH's carer, if I was knocked down and had a broken arm, leg or hip he would probably have to go into a care home for a while. She had no idea pavement cycling was such a problem - well she wouldn't as she's not a pedestrian. An older man that I spoke to was less reasonable. He said he used the pavement because the roads are too dangerous (he looked like a long-term cyclist, not a beginner). After a short conversation he told me to mind my own business. Only once has a cyclist rung a bell to warn me. Shared cycle paths are particularly scary, the cyclists are usually at top speed. I know of two people who were badly hurt in this city by cyclists breaking the law. Electric scooters are often on pavements, too, although two or three times I've managed to get the number and reported them to the scooter firm.

I have been a cyclist in the past, and a walker and a car driver, so see the different problems in all areas. I think that all jackets/coats/macs should have at least a reflective band on the bottom and on the sleeves to show up in the dark. I did 10 years hospital car service, and the worst times were dusk, changing the clock where people got caught out by the change and on dark unlit roads. The school uniforms are always a dark colour for common sense but if they had a reflective strip at least they would be seen . The other thing I find so bad is that we were always taught to walk facing oncoming traffic. The amount of people who walk with their backs to the traffic is really criminal. My top tip for people - that I always did myself was to carry an opaque white plastic shopping bag in a pocket in every coat I had. So if you were delayed or caught out in the dusk you could walk facing the traffic and carry the white bag on the side so that would be easily picked up by any traffic. When my son was young I insisted he wore a yellow belt plus cross piece and the rule was if he was seen without it the bike would go away for a week, second time a month , third time I would sell it. At the time he was extremely annoyed about it and grumbled but after a school friend was knocked off his bike coming from school for exactly that reason - not seen in dark uniform - the moans stopped and am pleased to say he is still around!!

I have been riding a bike since I was about 6 years old (over 70 years ago). I do remember there was government advice which said, "Wear something light at night." I do wear a hi-vis jacket at night, even walking in poorly-lit areas.
I think this advice should be repeated now. In the narrow streets where I live, pedestrians are always walking in the road, even at night, although there are pavements. I have pretty good lights on my bike, but if they are wearing dark clothes it's still hard to see them. I do ring my bell but I also say in a nasty voice, "Is there anything wrong with the pavement?" I never ride on the pavement, but sometimes I do have to dismount and wheel the bike on it.
I have to say, I think there are a lot of grans on this thread who are being a bit intolerant of us cyclists!

I live in a rural area, narrow or single track roads and often tree lined, absolutely fed up ( being polite here!) with SO many cyclists wearing dull dark blending in colours no hope of them being seen, they need to also make themselves visible they have to be responsible for doing their bit! I cycle now and then and make sure I wear my hi Viz waistcoat over my jacket, I want to be seen and not take silly risks. Many cyclists are also car drivers so much be very aware of being seen!!

I do cycle and do wear hi viz when I do. I am surprised though at how much cycling gear is made in dark colours.

Many every day coats for all of us pedestrians are dark as well.

Light and bright cycle gear for me and mine. I would prefer to live for a bit longer.

Many paths here are shared pedestrian/cycle paths. I have given up with ringing my bell to warn pedestrians that I am coming. I cycle slowly on shared routes and the bell always seems to startle people. I now go on the grass to ride round people or ride at walking pace until there is an opportunity to pass without startling anyone.

I despair of people riding motorised scooters dressed all in dark colours - and there are many of them. It doesn't give anyone a chance of avoiding them.