Part IIConstruction and Use of Vehicles and Equipment

Pedal cycles and horse-drawn vehicles

81Regulation of brakes, bells etc., on pedal cycles.

1

The Secretary of State may make regulations as to the use on roads of cycles, their construction and equipment and the conditions under which they may be so used.

2

In particular, but without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, the regulations may make provision as to—

a

the number, nature and efficiency of brakes and their maintenance in proper working order,

b

the appliances to be fitted for signalling approach and their maintenance in proper working order, and

c

the testing and inspection, by persons authorised under the regulations, of any equipment prescribed under this section and of lighting equipment and reflectors.

3

Regulations under this section may provide for repealing byelaws dealing with the same subject-matter as the regulations, and for suspending while the regulations remain in force any power of making such byelaws.

4

Regulations under this section may be made so as to apply either generally or in such circumstances only as may be specified in the regulations.

5

Regulations under this section as to the use on roads of cycles may prohibit the sale or supply, or the offer of a sale or supply, of a cycle for delivery in such a condition that the use of it on a road in that condition would be a contravention of the regulations, but no provision made by virtue of this subsection shall affect the validity of any contract or any rights arising under a contract.

6

If a person sells or supplies or offers to sell or supply a cycle in contravention of any prohibition imposed by regulations made by virtue of subsection (5) above, he is guilty of an offence, unless he proves—

a

that it was sold, supplied or offered for export from Great Britain, or

b

that he had reasonable cause to believe that it would not be used on a road in Great Britain, or would not be so used until it had been put into a condition in which it might lawfully be so used.