Is your bike compliant?

[RudAwkning]

You may as well strap a Christmas tree to your back. Read below:

=========================
You cannot legally substitute a tail light for a rear reflector,
however, a helmet mounted light may substitute for a headlight affixed
to the bike.

Starting Jan. 1, the headlight requirement applies to all bikeways (not
just highways) such as in the American River Parkway and to any
sidewalks where bicycling is not prohibited.

Here's the Vehicle Code.

(d) Every bicycle operated upon any highway during darkness shall
be equipped (1) with a lamp emitting a white light which, while the
bicycle is in motion, illuminates the highway in front of the
bicyclist and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and
from the sides of the bicycle; (2) with a red reflector on the rear
which shall be visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear when
directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor
vehicle; (3) with a white or yellow reflector on each pedal visible
from the front and rear of the bicycle from a distance of 200 feet;
and (4) with a white or yellow reflector on each side forward of the
center of the bicycle, and with a white or red reflector on each side
to the rear of the center of the bicycle, except that bicycles which
are equipped with reflectorized tires on the front and the rear need
not be equipped with these side reflectors. Such reflectors and
reflectorized tires shall be of a type meeting requirements
established by the department.
(e) A lamp or lamp combination, emitting a white light, attached
to the operator and visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and
from the sides of the bicycle, may be used in lieu of the lamp
required by clause (1) of subdivision (d).


Walt Seifert
Executive Director
Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates (SABA)
(916) 444-6600
saba@sacbike. org <mailto:saba@sacbike.org&gt;
www.sacbike. org <http://www.sacbike.org/>
"SABA represents bicyclists. Our aim is more and safer trips by bike."

[Blue Jays]

RudAwkning, ouch, none of my bicycles are compliant with those reflector rules. I've opted for high-powered blinkies to the rear and battery-powered LED headlamps to the front.
There is some reflectorized trim on my winter riding garments and booties, but I don't think that would count for these regulations. Interesting post you've made...

[SadieKate]

I don't get your Christmas tree comment. Is it with the amount of light required? Having ridden in places where there are few cars and no streetlights, reflectors don't cut it. And lights up higher on the body are more visible than low on a bike where they are more easily blocked from view.

[maunahaole]

I'm not in California, so it is a moot point. But if I was, the answer would be no, if for nothing else but the pedal reflectors. Pedal reflectors will do a lot to keep you from hitting deer and/or skunks at night on the American River Parkway.

[gdw]

2,3, and 4 are met by practically all new factory bikes. The frame, wheel, and pedal reflectors are normally thrown out by the kids in the shop when they build up the bike.

[norman neville]

my bike is often willful and disobedient.

[Bill Bove]

Got a red rear light and a white front light, O.K. there. Side mounted reflectors front and rear? Sounds like those wheel reflectors shouldn't have come off. Red reflector tape on the heels of my shoes,does that count? I could putsome white tape on the toes.

Does this apply only to bikes being riddenat night or do you have to have your lights attached all the time? who's going to go after all the kids?

[Fixed]

bro it gives the police the right to check you out and give you a warning
imho cheers

[RudAwkning]

I don't get your Christmas tree comment. Is it with the amount of light required? Having ridden in places where there are few cars and no streetlights, reflectors don't cut it. And lights up higher on the body are more visible than low on a bike where they are more easily blocked from view.

It was in reference to all of the lights AND reflectors required.

But I've since modded my pedals to conform with the new compliancy codes :D

[David Kirk]

Mine is laterally stiff and vertically COMPLIANT.

That's not the point is it?

Dave

[Grant McLean]

My bikes comply with all my commands..
Whenever I turn, they always obey!
But i draw the line at having a lamp on my handlebars,
can't i just put the lampshade on my head?

-g

[Erik.Lazdins]

I ride at night regularly and want to be seen.

I don't sweat ahering to the letter of the law - I think I am plenty visible when riding at night. I have numerous bits of reflective stuff I wear, bright lights fore and aft - but do not have any reflectors mounted on my bike.

besides

I have yet to encounter a policeman that questioned my lack of a reflector.

The time I got stopped by a policeman at night was on the Tulsa bike trail at about 5AM - he pulled the squad car onto the trail, lit the cherries up and approached me.

He thought I was a motorcycle!

It was pretty funny actually.

[Ti Designs]

Mine is laterally stiff and vertically COMPLIANT.

So if you lay the bike down you could get road rash and a fine...

[Acotts]

Reflectors...what they hell are those?

Next thing you know it will be mandated to wear helmets, have a kickstand and put cards in the spokes!

This is an outrage!!!! :bike:

[Fixed]

she says yes sometimes imho cheers

[gt6267a]

i think of riding the bike more like, "its my cats house and i just get to live here" the bike is looking to go fast, anytime, anyplace. the question is whether or not i will be compliant and pedal hard, fast, and long enough.

[Ginger]

How do I put reflectors on my eggbeaters?



My bike? My bike is plenty compliant. It does whatever I tell it to.

[David Kirk]

So if you lay the bike down you could get road rash and a fine...


Yes but it would be a smooth ride.

Dave

[capybaras]

my bike is often willful and disobedient.

I know what you mean

[Oirad]

Neither compliant, nor submissive. -- Oirad

[bigbill]

Hawaii had the same law about a rear reflector regardless of a blinking light. There are many blinkies available with a center reflector to meet the legal requirements.

As far as my bike being compliant, it is a Pegoretti and cannot be compliant by design. My Gunnar commuter does whatever the Pegoretti says.

[michael white]

my bike is practically a paid informant.

[SoCalSteve]

Hawaii had the same law about a rear reflector regardless of a blinking light. There are many blinkies available with a center reflector to meet the legal requirements.

As far as my bike being compliant, it is a Pegoretti and cannot be compliant by design. My Gunnar commuter does whatever the Pegoretti says.

It was the same when it was my bike as well...

Just sayin'

Steve

[3chordwonder]

Those kind of rules are written as a specific challenge to bring out the anarchist in even the most compliant tool of the military-industrial complex.

imho.

[Ahneida Ride]

Reflectors...what they hell are those?

Next thing you know it will be mandated to wear helmets, have a kickstand and put cards in the spokes!

This is an outrage!!!! :bike:

also streamers in the handlebars !

Big Brother knows best !

[RudAwkning]

I've worked out a mod for Campy pedals as well.

They'll come shipped in a wooden box marked "FRAGILE" (pronounced "fra-GEE-lay" so it must be Italian!)

[url]http://www.moviesoundscentral.com/sounds/christmas_story/fragile.wav[url]