If there's one complaint from motorists that I do accept and agree with it is that cyclists should be using lights at night. It's a simple little action which, to my mind, is a more effective method of ensuring safety (being prevention rather than cure) than, say, wearing a helmet.

I've really never understood anyone wearing a helmet, but not using lights.

A few nights ago I was commuting home, through a part of Edinburgh that is like a black hole, with no street lights, and a huge hill which seems to suck all ambient lights out of the surroundings. Not long before getting here an unlit cyclist ran a red light as I waited and entered this void. Minutes later I passed him back and pointed out that he really should have lights on next time he comes through.

"Aye, left them at home," was the reply.

As if that was a good excuse.

There have actually been a number of times I've been caught out completely without lights for my bike, and what did I do? I walked. No question about it. I walked.

I just can't understand why anyone would put themselves in that position willingly. Even if the story was true (and I had a feeling it wasn't) he still simply should not have been cycling, and most certainly should not have been cycling where there was no light save for that on the surrounding car headlights.

It will be interesting to see if I meet this guy again on the same route, and see if he's lit up next time. If not then I'll know exactly what his first response was.