Nothing divides the cycling community quite like special attention from Her Majesty's constabulary. Throughout November the police are targeting cyclists who don't use lights when it's dark. This blitz has some cyclists moaning and others rejoicing.

If the police are going to enforce road regulations, say the moaners, they should focus on motor vehicles, which kill hundreds and seriously injure tens of thousands every year. Bikes are benign in comparison.

I have heard of one cyclist who pelted down a steep village pavement at 30+ mph and smashed into a man unloading his car. Fatal accidents like this are very rare.

In Oxford, the worst incident I recall is that Guy Fawkes lookalike who knocked down the old lady in Cornmarket Street and broke her hip.

The police would be doing us a favour if they caught more speeding cars, buses and lorries, more people using a mobile while driving - even drivers with lights that don't work. And what about the astonishing one in 10 drivers who were recently caught drink-driving? There's a strong case for the police getting their priorities right and not bothering with relatively harmless highway infractions.

On the other hand, it drives me mad when cyclists behave like idiots.

The other evening I cycled from East to West Oxford. At successive sets of red lights, dark-clad students on unlit jalopies cruised on through.

When I caught up with these slowcoaches I remonstrated. But what's a 20-year-old with booze and toga parties on his mind going to say to a 40-year-old do-gooder who tells them they should use lights at night?

That's why I'm more of a rejoicer at the police's blitz than a moaner. The blitz is better than complete disinterest.

But what we really need is for naughty students to know that every time a copper sees them without lights at night, they'll get nicked. And every time they jump a red light, they'll get nicked. And every time they cycle on the pavement, they'll get nicked.

The fact is: the police ignore cycle misdemeanours day in, day out. I spend a lot of time in and around Cowley Road. Despite the pronounced police presence, I have never seen a cyclist booked for failing to have lights, nor for jumping red traffic lights. I don't get it.

Even the police on bikes, who'd be able to give chase and apprehend offenders, do not. Grr.

Bikes don't have to have a conventional bulb light. Since 2005, it has been legal for bikes to have any flashing lamp that emits at least four "candela" (a unit of light measurement) and is capable of emitting a steady light, but only if it conforms to BS6102/3 in steady mode.

In practice no-one is likely to quibble about its legality unless the light is dim or you're involved in an accident, when you may be accused of contributory negligence for lighting irregularities. In the latter case, you should also have two reflectors on each pedal (though pre-October 1985 bikes are exempt) and a red rear reflector. And I always recommend wearing a yellow hi-viz vest.