Cyclists and motorists in St Andrews say locals who are biking through the streets in the dark without lights on are risking their own lives.
It comes as police announced a crackdown on people cycling after hours without making themselves visible to others on the roads and pavements in the Fife town.
The force said the Bike Safe initiative is aimed at St Andrews University students and other members of the public.
Fife police say there has been an “increase” in the number of cyclists on St Andrews’ roads since the start of the 2017-18 university term.
It is an offence to travel without a white light to the front and a red one at the rear of a bicycle during hours of darkness.
Speaking on Wednesday, locals in St Andrews had their say on the police crackdown and the issues faced by cyclists in the town.
Partner at Spokes bike shop John Grant said cyclist are at risk when it gets dark from motorists who “are not paying attention”.
He said: “There is a new batch of students every year and it is the same problem every year.
“It is dark, you have bad weather, rain, cars go pretty fast everywhere so people can’t see them. They are wearing black clothes, they are not wearing high-vis jackets or anything at all visible.
“So far it has only been low speed impacts that we have seen but it won’t be long until there is a fatality I’d imagine.
“All cyclists then get tarred with the same brush that they are not taking road safety seriously. Then cyclists who are out a lot and do take it seriously are tarred with the brush that ‘you’re all just not bothered and treat the road like it is your own’.”
Co-owner of Starfish Taxis Kirstin Uhlenbrock said cyclists become “almost invisible” to drivers at nights without lights.
She added: “It is really, really difficult to spot them and it makes it quite dangerous. The last thing anybody wants to hit is a cyclists or a pedestrian because they are so unprotected.”
Ian Hamilton, a cyclist and the owner of Vine Leaf Restaurant in St Andrews, said many motorists are “fairly oblivious to cyclists” in the town.
He added he had seen people cycling around the town without lights or helmets in use and that many didn’t “realise the danger they are putting themselves under”.
St Andrews masters student and cyclist Aleks Majak said: “I love bikes and I think St Andrews is a pretty awesome place for cycling”.
She added the town was “safe” for cyclists if they have their lights on at night.
Medical student and cyclist Yuri Xu said: “I have bike lights. It (bike lights) is mostly for their own safety and others. I wouldn’t say it is selfish but they are putting others at risk so I think it is best that everyone complies.”
Constable Robert Crawford of St Andrews Police Station said: “It is paramount that students and local residents take on board the advice given so that they can commute safely around the town.”
Transition manager at St Andrews university, Alistair Macleod, said: “As a recognised cycle friendly campus, the university expects students to comply with the Highway Code.
“Our target is for 100% bikes on campus to be fitted with working lights and we welcome the support of Fife Police in taking an active role to ensure every road user is safe in the dark.”
