My pedals are illegal at night. What to do???
11-06-13, 02:11 PM
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My pedals are illegal at night. What to do???
So according to CA law for riding a bike at night, a bike shall be equipped "with a white or yellow reflector on each pedal visible
from the front and rear of the bicycle from a distance of 200 feet".
OK, so most flat pedals have reflectors, but most SPD pedals do not have a reflector. Most commuters near me use SPD or some sort of clipless pedal, and are apparently all illegal at night. It does seem like Shimano has ugly plastic reflector devices that you can attached to many of their SPD pedals, but they look like they would fall off easily. Not to mention the fact that I wanted to switch to a mountain pedal for commuting so I can clip in on either side. The reflector adapters for these block the ability to clip in on one side, removing that benefit. one such example is the SM-PD60
Not sure how many other areas have a similar law (It appears the UK does doing some online searching). Does anyone out there do anything about this? Has anyone tried any of these reflector devices?
It does seem like pedal reflectors are very good for visibility by cars. I could do alternative such as reflective material on my shoes, reflective ankle band, etc - these are probably about as effective as pedal reflectors, but technically not legal. I would hate to be in an accident at night and have a lawyer say I was illegal since I didn't have pedal reflectors, especially if I had something that was just as effective, but not legally compliant.
Curious if others have this law or do anything about it. Thanks!
from the front and rear of the bicycle from a distance of 200 feet".
OK, so most flat pedals have reflectors, but most SPD pedals do not have a reflector. Most commuters near me use SPD or some sort of clipless pedal, and are apparently all illegal at night. It does seem like Shimano has ugly plastic reflector devices that you can attached to many of their SPD pedals, but they look like they would fall off easily. Not to mention the fact that I wanted to switch to a mountain pedal for commuting so I can clip in on either side. The reflector adapters for these block the ability to clip in on one side, removing that benefit. one such example is the SM-PD60
Not sure how many other areas have a similar law (It appears the UK does doing some online searching). Does anyone out there do anything about this? Has anyone tried any of these reflector devices?
It does seem like pedal reflectors are very good for visibility by cars. I could do alternative such as reflective material on my shoes, reflective ankle band, etc - these are probably about as effective as pedal reflectors, but technically not legal. I would hate to be in an accident at night and have a lawyer say I was illegal since I didn't have pedal reflectors, especially if I had something that was just as effective, but not legally compliant.
Curious if others have this law or do anything about it. Thanks!
11-06-13, 02:16 PM
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I also live in Ca, I hardly ever night ride thought, but all my main bikes are SPD, I'd suggest reflective contact tape you could apply it to the front and rear of the pedals and remove it later with minimal effort.
11-06-13, 02:17 PM
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So according to CA law for riding a bike at night, a bike shall be equipped "with a white or yellow reflector on each pedal visible
from the front and rear of the bicycle from a distance of 200 feet".
OK, so most flat pedals have reflectors, but most SPD pedals do not have a reflector. Most commuters near me use SPD or some sort of clipless pedal, and are apparently all illegal at night. It does seem like Shimano has ugly plastic reflector devices that you can attached to many of their SPD pedals, but they look like they would fall off easily. Not to mention the fact that I wanted to switch to a mountain pedal for commuting so I can clip in on either side. The reflector adapters for these block the ability to clip in on one side, removing that benefit. one such example is the SM-PD60
Not sure how many other areas have a similar law (It appears the UK does doing some online searching). Does anyone out there do anything about this? Has anyone tried any of these reflector devices?
It does seem like pedal reflectors are very good for visibility by cars. I could do alternative such as reflective material on my shoes, reflective ankle band, etc - these are probably about as effective as pedal reflectors, but technically not legal. I would hate to be in an accident at night and have a lawyer say I was illegal since I didn't have pedal reflectors, especially if I had something that was just as effective, but not legally compliant.
Curious if others have this law or do anything about it. Thanks!
from the front and rear of the bicycle from a distance of 200 feet".
OK, so most flat pedals have reflectors, but most SPD pedals do not have a reflector. Most commuters near me use SPD or some sort of clipless pedal, and are apparently all illegal at night. It does seem like Shimano has ugly plastic reflector devices that you can attached to many of their SPD pedals, but they look like they would fall off easily. Not to mention the fact that I wanted to switch to a mountain pedal for commuting so I can clip in on either side. The reflector adapters for these block the ability to clip in on one side, removing that benefit. one such example is the SM-PD60
Not sure how many other areas have a similar law (It appears the UK does doing some online searching). Does anyone out there do anything about this? Has anyone tried any of these reflector devices?
It does seem like pedal reflectors are very good for visibility by cars. I could do alternative such as reflective material on my shoes, reflective ankle band, etc - these are probably about as effective as pedal reflectors, but technically not legal. I would hate to be in an accident at night and have a lawyer say I was illegal since I didn't have pedal reflectors, especially if I had something that was just as effective, but not legally compliant.
Curious if others have this law or do anything about it. Thanks!
Originally Posted by CVC
§ 21201. Bicycle size and equipment requirements
(a) No person shall operate a bicycle on a roadway unless it is equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make one braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
(b) No person shall operate on the highway a bicycle equipped with handlebars so raised that the operator must elevate his hands above the level of his shoulders in order to grasp the normal steering grip area.
(c) No person shall operate upon a highway a bicycle that is of a size that prevents the operator from safely stopping the bicycle, supporting it in an upright position with at least one foot on the ground, and restarting it in a safe manner.
(d) A bicycle operated during darkness upon a highway, a sidewalk where bicycle operation is not prohibited by the local jurisdiction, or a bikeway, as defined in Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code, shall be equipped with all of the following:
(1) A lamp emitting a white light that, while the bicycle is in motion, illuminates the highway, sidewalk, or bikeway in front of the bicyclist and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the bicycle.
(2) A red reflector on the rear that 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) A white or yellow reflector on each pedal, shoe, or ankle visible from the front and rear of the bicycle from a distance of 200 feet.
(4) A white or yellow reflector on each side forward of the center of the bicycle, and a white or red reflector on each side to the rear of the center of the bicycle, except that bicycles that are equipped with reflectorized tires on the front and the rear need not be equipped with these side reflectors.
The 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 paragraph (1) of subdivision (d).
Cal Veh Code § 21201
(a) No person shall operate a bicycle on a roadway unless it is equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make one braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
(b) No person shall operate on the highway a bicycle equipped with handlebars so raised that the operator must elevate his hands above the level of his shoulders in order to grasp the normal steering grip area.
(c) No person shall operate upon a highway a bicycle that is of a size that prevents the operator from safely stopping the bicycle, supporting it in an upright position with at least one foot on the ground, and restarting it in a safe manner.
(d) A bicycle operated during darkness upon a highway, a sidewalk where bicycle operation is not prohibited by the local jurisdiction, or a bikeway, as defined in Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code, shall be equipped with all of the following:
(1) A lamp emitting a white light that, while the bicycle is in motion, illuminates the highway, sidewalk, or bikeway in front of the bicyclist and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the bicycle.
(2) A red reflector on the rear that 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) A white or yellow reflector on each pedal, shoe, or ankle visible from the front and rear of the bicycle from a distance of 200 feet.
(4) A white or yellow reflector on each side forward of the center of the bicycle, and a white or red reflector on each side to the rear of the center of the bicycle, except that bicycles that are equipped with reflectorized tires on the front and the rear need not be equipped with these side reflectors.
The 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 paragraph (1) of subdivision (d).
Cal Veh Code § 21201
11-06-13, 02:18 PM
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11-06-13, 02:21 PM
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I have a couple of different sets of these (I keep losing them then finding them as soon as I buy a replacement). I put one on each ankle. They do work great (so I hear).
11-06-13, 02:28 PM
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Thanks! The part I read didn't have this (maybe it was old or incomplete, but it was just a section on night). Good to know the reflective part can be on my shoes or ankle. Makes it much easier to be legal at night.
11-06-13, 02:54 PM
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11-06-13, 03:13 PM
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There is another part of the law requiring pedal reflectors when riding a bike at night (not during the day once its sold). Turns out that reflector on shoe or ankle is an acceptable substitute, as pointed out by caloso.
11-06-13, 03:35 PM
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Use these:
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SPD-pl...s=spd+platform
They only occupy one side of the SPD pedal so you can use regular shoes on one side and still clip in on the other...reflectors included.
I never realized how much pedal reflectors contribute to our night visibility until I drove behind someone who didn't have lights, but did have all reflectors.
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SPD-pl...s=spd+platform
They only occupy one side of the SPD pedal so you can use regular shoes on one side and still clip in on the other...reflectors included.
I never realized how much pedal reflectors contribute to our night visibility until I drove behind someone who didn't have lights, but did have all reflectors.
11-06-13, 03:36 PM
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Use these:
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SPD-pl...s=spd+platform
They only occupy one side of the SPD pedal so you can use regular shoes on one side and still clip in on the other...reflectors included.
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SPD-pl...s=spd+platform
They only occupy one side of the SPD pedal so you can use regular shoes on one side and still clip in on the other...reflectors included.
11-06-13, 03:36 PM
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Georgia covers that:
40-6-297.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to sell a new bicycle or a pedal for use on a bicycle unless the pedals on such bicycle or such pedals are equipped with reflectors of a type approved by the Department of Public Safety. The reflector on each pedal shall be so designed and situated as to be visible from the front and rear of the bicycle during darkness from a distance of 200 feet.
When the state boys run out of things to enforce where they won't get shot at, or otherwise face any danger, and the radar gun is broke, they can bust bike shops.
11-06-13, 03:39 PM
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11-06-13, 03:42 PM
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The ankle reflector makes sense. But does California actually enforce that law? Other than making sure manufacturers comply?
11-06-13, 03:42 PM
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11-06-13, 03:42 PM
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11-06-13, 03:44 PM
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I can see it now,,,
What are you in for pal, they got me for ****, murder and robbery, how about you?
I got busted for rideing my bicycle with no reflectors.
What are you in for pal, they got me for ****, murder and robbery, how about you?
I got busted for rideing my bicycle with no reflectors.
11-06-13, 03:45 PM
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Maybe that is a minor reason so many bikes are sold without pedals, other than the obvious fact every rider has their own idea of "the best".
Georgia covers that:
40-6-297.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to sell a new bicycle or a pedal for use on a bicycle unless the pedals on such bicycle or such pedals are equipped with reflectors of a type approved by the Department of Public Safety. The reflector on each pedal shall be so designed and situated as to be visible from the front and rear of the bicycle during darkness from a distance of 200 feet.
When the state boys run out of things to enforce where they won't get shot at, or otherwise face any danger, and the radar gun is broke, they can bust bike shops.
Georgia covers that:
40-6-297.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to sell a new bicycle or a pedal for use on a bicycle unless the pedals on such bicycle or such pedals are equipped with reflectors of a type approved by the Department of Public Safety. The reflector on each pedal shall be so designed and situated as to be visible from the front and rear of the bicycle during darkness from a distance of 200 feet.
When the state boys run out of things to enforce where they won't get shot at, or otherwise face any danger, and the radar gun is broke, they can bust bike shops.
11-06-13, 03:45 PM
#20
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All my bike shoes, SPD or SPD-SL, as well as all of my wife's bike shoes have some amount of white reflective material on the front, back and sides. I assume this covers the letter of the law.
11-06-13, 03:48 PM
#21
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They work alright so far. I don't take them off and on. After I put them on I adjusted the tension on the pedals all the way up and as far as riding with them, you'd never know that they come off.
11-06-13, 03:51 PM
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11-06-13, 04:27 PM
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11-06-13, 04:40 PM
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I can't imagine ever being cited for this. Even if a cop wanted to mess with you, most police are largely ignorant of the law, the chances of them knowing about this obscure bit of law are pretty much non-existant. I wouldn't worry about it at all. If you feel you must do something about it, reflective tape on the front and back of the crank arms would meet the spirit of the law and if through some incredibly implausible turn of events you actually got cited for not having the reflective on the pedals (never going to happen, ever) then challenge it, and when you go to court, it's hard to imagine a judge not being satisfied with the reflective tape on the crank arms. Hell, you'd be setting a positive precedent for cyclists!
I can't imagine ever being cited for this. Even if a cop wanted to mess with you, most police are largely ignorant of the law, the chances of them knowing about this obscure bit of law are pretty much non-existant. I wouldn't worry about it at all. If you feel you must do something about it, reflective tape on the front and back of the crank arms would meet the spirit of the law and if through some incredibly implausible turn of events you actually got cited for not having the reflective on the pedals (never going to happen, ever) then challenge it, and when you go to court, it's hard to imagine a judge not being satisfied with the reflective tape on the crank arms. Hell, you'd be setting a positive precedent for cyclists!
11-06-13, 04:43 PM
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