After having a flick through the highway code I have just realised that my bike is not road legal. Apparently bikes must have a red rear reflector fitted (front ones are optional). Odd as it has spoke and pedal reflectors, but not the front or rear ones. I will now go down to the local bike shop and buy some.
*makes note to read highway code more closely in future*
"Adam Lea" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
After having a flick through the highway code I have just realised that my bike is not road legal. Apparently bikes must have a red rear reflector fitted (front ones are optional). Odd as it has spoke and pedal
reflectors,
Quoted message said:
but not the front or rear ones. I will now go down to the local bike shop and buy some.
*makes note to read highway code more closely in future*
Adam
The highway code is not the law, only the guidance based on the law. No lightweight racing cycle ever comes supplied with reflectors fitted, they would be taken off if they did. I think it's best to apply the reflectors to one's body, ie sam brown belt or ankle cuffs. This make more reflective area or makes the relection move, which is more noticable.
Dave Lloyd So open minded, my brains dribbled out.
"david lloyd" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
"Adam Lea" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
After having a flick through the highway code I have just realised that my bike is not road legal. Apparently bikes must have a red rear reflector fitted (front ones are optional). Odd as it has spoke and pedal
reflectors,
Quoted message said:
but not the front or rear ones. I will now go down to the local bike shop and buy some.
*makes note to read highway code more closely in future*
Adam
The highway code is not the law, only the guidance based on the law. No lightweight racing cycle ever comes supplied with reflectors fitted, they would be taken off if they did. I think it's best to apply the reflectors to one's body, ie sam brown belt or ankle cuffs. This make more reflective area or makes the relection move, which is more noticable.
Dave Lloyd So open minded, my brains dribbled out.
"Adam Lea" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
After having a flick through the highway code I have just realised that my bike is not road legal. Apparently bikes must have a red rear reflector
The highway code is not the law, only the guidance based on the law.
Not quite. It is not only guidance, it also contains statements regarding the law.
In particular, it is a legal requirement to have a red rear reflector.
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would be taken off if they did. I think it's best to apply the reflectors to one's body, ie sam brown belt or ankle cuffs. This make more reflective area or makes the relection move, which is more noticable.
.... but does not comply with the law. You may think it better to do that than comply with the law, but many others consider it prudent to ride a road-legal bike when on the road.
"Adam Lea" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
After having a flick through the highway code I have just realised that my bike is not road legal. Apparently bikes must have a red rear reflector fitted (front ones are optional). Odd as it has spoke and pedal
reflectors,
Quoted message said:
but not the front or rear ones. I will now go down to the local bike shop and buy some.
*makes note to read highway code more closely in future*
Adam
The highway code is not the law, only the guidance based on the law. No lightweight racing cycle ever comes supplied with reflectors fitted, they would be taken off if they did.
Every complete pedal cycle supplied in the UK must have front, rear, pedal and spoke reflectors fitted. Every pedal cycle used on the road at night must have a rear reflector, front and rear light (and pedal reflectors if manufactured after 1st October 1985). These lights and reflectors must conform to the relevant part of the British Standard BS6102. Additional lights and reflectors do not need to conform, although there are additional constraints such as showing a red light only to the rear, white only to the front, no flashing lights fixed to the bike (although you can attach them to your clothing - or has that been changed recently?) It used to be that no LED lights were technically compliant with the standards depite adequate performance, but that seems to have been rectified.
Quoted message said:
I think it's best to apply the reflectors to one's body, ie sam brown belt or ankle cuffs. This make more reflective area or makes the relection move, which is more noticable.
I think it's best to apply the reflectors to one's body, ie sam brown belt or ankle cuffs. This make more reflective area or makes the relection move, which is more noticable.
Movement of lamps and reflectors 12.--(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), no person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road any vehicle to which, or to any load or equipment of which, there is fitted a lamp, reflector or marking which is capable of being moved by swivelling, deflecting or otherwise while the vehicle is in motion.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply in respect of-
[....]
(h) an amber pedal retro reflector; or
(i) retro reflective material or a retro reflector of any colour which is fitted so as to reflect light primarily to one or both sides of the vehicle and is attached to or incorporated in any wheel or tyre of-
Every complete pedal cycle supplied in the UK must have front, rear, pedal and spoke reflectors fitted.
Hmm ... technically my new recumbent was an illegal sale then, as it doesn't have spoke reflectors (though the Marathon Slicks have reflective sidewalls)? Of course, the pedal reflectors where kind of useless given their position and orientation ... but I've replaced them with SPDs anyway.
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These lights and reflectors must conform to the relevant part of the British Standard BS6102.
Alternatively, IIRC, said lights and reflectors must conform to the relevant legislation in $OTHER_EU_COUNTRY? -- These opinions might not even be mine ... Let alone connected with my employer ...
Every complete pedal cycle supplied in the UK must have front, rear, pedal and spoke reflectors fitted.
Hmm ... technically my new recumbent was an illegal sale then, as it doesn't have spoke reflectors (though the Marathon Slicks have reflective sidewalls)?
ISTR some of the European standards allow reflective sidewalls instead of spoke reflectors. They are certainly less likely to be thrown away at the first opportunity (why would anyone want to unbalance their wheels and increase their rotating mass?)
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Of course, the pedal reflectors where kind of useless given their position and orientation ... but I've replaced them with SPDs anyway.
I've never really bothered with pedal reflectors (until recently I could trace the lineage of all my bikes to one I bought in 1979) although they are probably one of the better ways of alerting car drivers to the presence of a bike on a dark road, as nothing else moves like that.
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
These lights and reflectors must conform to the relevant part of the British Standard BS6102.
Alternatively, IIRC, said lights and reflectors must conform to the relevant legislation in $OTHER_EU_COUNTRY?
Every complete pedal cycle supplied in the UK must have front, rear, pedal and spoke reflectors fitted. Every pedal cycle used on the road at night must have a rear reflector, front and rear light (and pedal reflectors if manufactured after 1st October 1985). These lights and reflectors must conform to the relevant part of the British Standard BS6102. Additional lights and reflectors do not need to conform, although there are additional constraints such as showing a red light only to the rear, white only to the front, no flashing lights fixed to the bike (although you can attach them to your clothing - or has that been changed recently?) It used to be that no LED lights were technically compliant with the standards depite adequate performance, but that seems to have been rectified.
The curious thing about this is that although when I bought my bike it had pedal reflectors, I immediately had some SPD's fitted (that have no reflectors) before I took it away from the LBS.
-- Don Whybrow
Sequi Bonum Non Time
Some people have one of those days. I have one of those lives.
Every complete pedal cycle supplied in the UK must have front, rear, pedal and spoke reflectors fitted. Every pedal cycle used on the road at night must have a rear reflector, front and rear light (and pedal reflectors if manufactured after 1st October 1985). These lights and reflectors must conform to the relevant part of the British Standard BS6102. Additional lights and reflectors do not need to conform, although there are additional constraints such as showing a red light only to the rear, white only to the front, no flashing lights fixed to the bike (although you can attach them to your clothing - or has that been changed recently?) It used to be that no LED lights were technically compliant with the standards depite adequate performance, but that seems to have been rectified.
The curious thing about this is that although when I bought my bike it had pedal reflectors, I immediately had some SPD's fitted (that have no reflectors) before I took it away from the LBS.
Technically a bike shop shouldn't let a bike out of the door without all the various reflectors and I think even a bell now.
In practice it mostly gets ignored for high-end bikes, although my LBS has the great amusement fitting them to all their bikes in the showroom. I think they were having a bit of a laugh when I found reflectors and bell in the box of my S-Works frame. -- http://www.addict-racing.com
Every complete pedal cycle supplied in the UK must have front, rear, pedal and spoke reflectors fitted. Every pedal cycle used on the road at night must have a rear reflector, front and rear light (and pedal reflectors if manufactured after 1st October 1985). These lights and reflectors must conform to the relevant part of the British Standard BS6102. Additional lights and reflectors do not need to conform, although there are additional constraints such as showing a red light only to the rear, white only to the front, no flashing lights fixed to the bike (although you can attach them to your clothing - or has that been changed recently?) It used to be that no LED lights were technically compliant with the standards depite adequate performance, but that seems to have been rectified.
Yes, the law has changed. Flashing LED lights are now legal as main lights, as they have been proven to be more visible. Surely, we already knew this was the case - it was the reason car indicators were changed to flashing many years back.
Common sense would dictate that you stick with a bright, static front light for times between dusk and dawn. You will be visible with a flasher, but they are no good for detecting hazards.
-- Dave Lloyd So open minded, my brains dribbled out.
Technically a bike shop shouldn't let a bike out of the door without all the various reflectors and I think even a bell now.
What is the point of a bell? They can't be heard over the sound system that the paisley baseball cap wearing dweebs install in their pimped rides. Nor do bells convey with any accuracy what a total f%&!#g a£*e h*!e they are.
No - give me an air horn any day, they work well with pedestrians. If they don't shift sideways, the vertical displacement they attain should be enough. (only kidding).
-- Dave Lloyd So open minded, my brains dribbled out.
"David Hansen" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
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On Sun, 04 Jun 2006 07:05:24 GMT someone who may be "david lloyd" <[email hidden]> wrote this:-
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What is the point of a bell?
The pedestrian lobby wanted them, especially the blind pedestrian lobby. We know how much Tony likes largely pointless gestures.
I know - with the increase in the likelyhood that electric and fuel cell vehicles, and the fact that they lack a certain level of engine noise, we should campaing to have bells attached to at least one wheel, making them tinkle as the drive along. That way the drivers will not be able to take anyone by surprise.
-- Dave Lloyd So open minded, my brains dribbled out.
Common sense would dictate that you stick with a bright, static front light for times between dusk and dawn. You will be visible with a flasher, but they are no good for detecting hazards.
Two lights on the front; one flashing, the other steady. Flasher grabs attention, the steady makes it easier for others to judge your position and speed.
Every complete pedal cycle supplied in the UK must have front, rear, pedal and spoke reflectors fitted. Every pedal cycle used on the road at night must have a rear reflector, front and rear light (and pedal reflectors if manufactured after 1st October 1985). These lights and reflectors must conform to the relevant part of the British Standard BS6102. Additional lights and reflectors do not need to conform, although there are additional constraints such as showing a red light only to the rear, white only to the front, no flashing lights fixed to the bike (although you can attach them to your clothing - or has that been changed recently?) It used to be that no LED lights were technically compliant with the standards depite adequate performance, but that seems to have been rectified.
The curious thing about this is that although when I bought my bike it had pedal reflectors, I immediately had some SPD's fitted (that have no reflectors) before I took it away from the LBS.
Technically a bike shop shouldn't let a bike out of the door without all the various reflectors and I think even a bell now.
In practice it mostly gets ignored for high-end bikes, although my LBS has the great amusement fitting them to all their bikes in the showroom. I think they were having a bit of a laugh when I found reflectors and bell in the box of my S-Works frame.
I have a bell on my mountain bike and on my time trial bike. They weigh almost nothing and are useful. I don't meet the legal requirements with regard to reflectors on any of my bikes, however.
On Sat, 03 Jun 2006 20:56:01 +0100, Don Whybrow <[email hidden]> wrote:
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Quoted message said:
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The curious thing about this is that although when I bought my bike it had pedal reflectors, I immediately had some SPD's fitted (that have no reflectors) before I took it away from the LBS.
Technically a bike shop shouldn't let a bike out of the door without all the various reflectors and I think even a bell now.
In practice it mostly gets ignored for high-end bikes, although my LBS has the great amusement fitting them to all their bikes in the showroom. I think they were having a bit of a laugh when I found reflectors and bell in the box of my S-Works frame.
I have a bell on my mountain bike and on my time trial bike. They weigh almost nothing and are useful. I don't meet the legal requirements with regard to reflectors on any of my bikes, however.
No reflectors or bell on the S-Works. No reflectors because I rarely ride it on the road and no bell because I'd have a job physically fitting one on the bars and it's just sartorially wrong to have a bell on a £4000 bike.
The hack bike does have rear reflectors but it also has Lumicycle lights to the front and 4 Leds to the rear as it's my evening/winter training bike. -- http://www.addict-racing.com