Reflectors

AJ101 wrote:

Looking at Boris Johnson I'm sure he doesn't ride after dusk then...

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/UbEYtk2TXVP/Boris+Johnson+on+His+Bike/lLZ...

Just need to find a picture of Andrew Mitchell's bike now, the police at Downing St might have missed a trick there!

That's legal to the letter of the law. I bike must have rear reflector at all times, pedal reflectors at night, and he has those. It needs a front reflector and wheel reflectors when sold, but you can take them off yourself and ride it without them.

The requirement to fit a bell at point of sale was also removed a few years ago, by one Eric Pickles no less!

They can certainly meet German standards, which are generally held to be adequate for the purpose.

OldRidgeback wrote:

Note that LED lights do not meet BS standards.

Can't be arsed to find the specific bit in the RVLR, basically an LED that has a flashing and a steady mode is treated as steady and as such must comply with standards, a flashing only light only needs to be bright!

Problem with the RVLR is no one seems to have read them as one document in a while, you have the original that makes sense, you have an amendment that makes some sense, but then the amendment has been amended, and that to has been amended...

In all these amendments, huge holes have opened up, and some very stupid clauses created.

That the UK is a tiny market and no one bothers with the BS standards doesn't help. I think Cateye were about the last manufacturer to bother but I think they have given up now.

And a random anti UKIP point, currently the law allows other European standards that are regarded as comparable, in fact in most areas Euro-Norms, CE marking etc, are ways of harmonising across the market, quite what the plan going forward would be???

mrmo wrote:

The law is a mess, you need Amber reflectors on PEDALS, not on shoes, they must also comply with some relevant BS standard (or Euro equivalent). You must also have a rear reflector that meets the relevant standard. (or equivalent)

Now find a set of modern pedals that can take reflectors!

Shimano have reflectors that clip into SPD's. theyre pretty good. I use them on my commuter and have no issue with them.

I've found in general that the polis pretty much leave you alone if you have reflective ankle cuffs or reflective heels as they show the motion still. As well as my rear reflector I have red reflective tape on the seat stays and mud guards which work colleagues have informed me is pretty impressive when they've passed me on way into work. I think the real issue will be that insurers will reduce a claim by slamming contributory negligence if a cyclist is caught up in a collision from the rear. Even with presumed liability in place. Lack of reflectors in hours of darkness will be the get out clause.

While some prefer clean lines' on their m/c. I think that the good bike should be consigned to daylight riding. If you are going to be in the dark at all then best have the appropriate lights and reflectors.

giff77 wrote:

Shimano have reflectors that clip into SPD's. theyre pretty good. I use them on my commuter and have no issue with them.

I've found in general that the polis pretty much leave you alone if you have reflective ankle cuffs or reflective heels as they show the motion still. As well as my rear reflector I have red reflective tape on the seat stays and mud guards which work colleagues have informed me is pretty impressive when they've passed me on way into work. I think the real issue will be that insurers will reduce a claim by slamming contributory negligence if a cyclist is caught up in a collision from the rear. Even with presumed liability in place. Lack of reflectors in hours of darkness will be the get out clause. .

Don't really think there is an issue, and yes Shimano are pretty good, they do reflectors for spuds and at least some spd-sl pedals. Mind, i have no idea and have seen nothing either way, on whether they meet BS or equivalent standards. Which if you are going to argue contributory, means they could be worthless.