You must have approved front and rear lights that are lit, clean and working properly when cycling between sunset and sunrise. It's no defence to say that it was past sunset but not yet dark. The legal lighting obligations for cyclists are determined by sunset and sunrise times – not the ‘hours of darkness', which start 30 minutes after the former, end 30 minutes before the latter and dictate when motorists must switch from sidelights to headlights.

Cycling UK's guide to cycling regulations explains the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations in detail, but in summary you need a white light at the front and a red light at the rear, visible from the front and rear respectively and fixed to your bike. A light obscured by a saddlebag isn't legal and neither is a torch on your head, though there's nothing to stop you using a head-torch as an additional light.

The regulations also now allow flashing lights, provided they flash between 60 and 240 times per minute. The legal requirements for reflectors include a red rear reflector and four amber pedal reflectors, one at the front and rear of each pedal. Common sense might suggest that a reflective heel strip or ankle band could replace an amber pedal reflector, but unfortunately these do not meet the legal requirements. This is an annoying problem for riders who use bikes where the feet are attached to the pedals and cannot slip. These pedals are not designed with enough space to accommodate reflectors and make this an area of legislation in need of change.

Unlike with other vehicles, lights are not a legal requirement for cyclists when there is seriously reduced visibility during the daytime, although we wouldn't recommend cycling through dense fog without lighting up.