Students at Scotland’s oldest university are risking lives by riding their bikes at night without lights, it has been claimed.
The issue has been raised by Fife taxi driver Darren Burton, who said it was “only a matter of time before someone was knocked down” after witnessing a number of incidents involving St Andrews University students.
Mr Burton, 34, a driver with Club Cars in Guardbridge, said he took matters into his own hands earlier this week when he stopped a student who was riding without lights on the town’s busy Buchanan Gardens.
He said: “I actually pulled one over as he cycled without lights towards David Russell Hall. It was dark and the mist was coming in you could barely see him and I was concerned for his safety.
“I asked him if he was an intelligent person, and he said yes. I asked him why he didn’t have lights on then, and he hummed and hawed and agreed he was putting himself at risk.”
Mr Burton, who has been driving taxis for around six years, said he wrote a letter of complaint to the university vice-principal last year. The university acknowledged there was an issue and the situation seemed to improve, he said.
But with freshers back in town and the autumn nights drawing in, he said there had been noticeable numbers of students cycling without lights over the past week.
He added: “As a taxi driver I’ve been doing some research into who would be liable in the event of an accident and it’s clear that even if a cyclist is at fault for not having lights, a driver can still be done for driving without due care and attention.
“I’m not speaking out for fame. I just don’t want there to be an accident and think the university and police need to ensure enough is being done to educate students.”
North East Fife Area Commander for Police Scotland, Chief Inspector Adrian Annandale, said riding bikes responsibly is an issue for all cyclists, not just students.
Describing it as an “age old problem”, particularly when students return after the summer, he said efforts are made every year to educate cyclists. Enforcement is a last resort.
Police Scotland St Andrews University liaison officer PC Liesa Metcalfe said she works closely with the student community on issues ranging from personal safety, road safety and anti-social behaviour.
She said: “Every year at this time of year we have issues with students from home and abroad buying bikes to get around town … It’s not just lights though. Other issues include students riding the wrong way down streets.”
According to the Highway Code, cyclists should take a number of measures to ensure they are seen.
By law, bikes at night must have white front and red rear lights lit. Bikes must also be fitted with a red rear reflector (and amber pedal reflectors, if manufactured after October 1 1985).
White front reflectors and spoke reflectors will also help cyclists be seen. Flashing lights are permitted but it is recommended that cyclists who are riding in areas without street lighting use a steady front lamp.
In terms of clothing, the Highway Code also advises that cyclists wear light-coloured or fluorescent clothing, which helps other road users to see you in daylight and poor light, and reflective clothing and/or accessories (belt, arm or ankle bands) in the dark.