AngeloDolce

I'm also curious about the OP's intent - why would you ask about being hassled instead of trying to avoid collisions? but can offer several comments.

I wouldn't say I was hassled, but I was pulled over by a state trooper about 15 years ago. I'd replaced the rear reflector with a light, and had not realized the battery was weak, and that the light did not in fact function as a reflector as advertised. This was on a busy road (4 lanes each way, 40+ mph traffic) where my destination was located (hard to avoid). The policeman saw that I had a good headlight and was other wise following the law in heavy traffic, and he guessed (correctly) that I was not aware that my rear light was so dim and that I would want to fix it. I've since added reflectors (as he suggested), and carry extra batteries.

As others have noted, the issue is not just citations but fault in accidents. A teenage driver hit me in a parking lot about 10 years later. Since the police report mentioned my helmet but not lights, the driver's insurance asked about lights and said they were not responsible if I had no lights. I told them I did have lights, and they eventually paid.

The bikes I ride at night generally have small red reflectors, but the ones I rely on are additional 3" amber SAE reflectors. They are much larger than the CPSC reflectors with the angled surfaces. My impression is that if an insurance company tried to argue that the reflectors were more visible amber reflectors, but not red, that they would have a hard time explaining how this contributed to a collison.

Of course, local JP magistrates and LEO frequently decline to hold motorists at fault for hitting bicyclists regardless of circumstances. (Policeman refused to ticket teenager above, after explaining to me that his violation was "leaving the scene of an accident", not "hit and run". So if he's clearly guilty of driving off, why not cite him?) In this situation, the color of the reflectors doesn't matter.

tcs

Actually, every now and then a police department somewhere will get a wild hare and conduct a 'letter of the law' enforcement campaign. Montreal last summer, for example.

dbikingman

I know around here police will occasionally stop a cyclist at night no lights/reflectors. There is also a helmet law that seems to be selectively enforced. It seems that criminals who like to paint their bike flat black, wear dark clothing and wear bikes like to prowl cars and commit burglaries. Who knew? If you have something reflective or lit your chances of being stopped are greatly decreased.

I agree with the prevailing thought that I'd like to be compliance with the law, because if I'm involved a collision I don't want some lawyer or insurance company making an issue that can be easily stopped in the first place. I actually exceed the requirements because I don't want to rely on a rear reflector, but it there with the myriad of lights.

J.C. Koto

I frequently notice non-illuminated bikes by the pedal reflectors, especially when they are approaching, so my experience is that they are at least marginally useful.

Medic Zero

+1, although I seem to notice it more overtaking them.

NOS88

Several have suggested reflective tape. Will that actually serve as being in compliance?

achoo

Do you want to pay a lawyer hundreds of dollars an hour to make that argument if you have to when the alternative is to just put a $2 reflector on your bike.

Then it's easy to say "Not only was I in compliance with the law, I ALSO had all these other things: reflective tape, lights, strobes, flare guns..."

MEversbergII

Ooo, I need a flare gun for my bike.

M.

NOS88

I think you might be missing my intent. I do have and will continue to have reflective material on all my bikes and front and rear lights during the time between sundown and sunrise. I'm simply wondering if reflective tape on a rear fender will meet requirements. Having done some additional research between my first post and now, I don't find anything that is definitive. I have found a "Bicycle Safety Manual" produced by the DOT that says: "...It's a good idea to use additional reflectors beyond those sold with a new bicycle. Most bicycle shops carry reflective legbands and vests. Adhesive-backed strips of reflective material are also sold for the bicycle frame and fenders." So, as I said it's not definitive, but sure seems as if they are saying that reflective strips are reflectors.

mstraus

My personal experience, particularly while driving in a dark area, is the pedal reflectors can be very helpful to identify a bike as a bike from a distance (before you really see its a bike). This is largely due to the motion of the pedals, tending to cause an alternating pattern of which reflector you see - a motion that seems unique to a bike. Ankle bands tend to be a more steady reflection, as they are not blocked by the foot/etc part of the rotation, but still have motion - same with reflective material on shoes.

mstraus

I think there is some criteria it must meet by the law, but sure it varies by state. CA law simply says 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"

I have heard mixed things on if a light substitutes for a reflector or not, although some rear lights have built in reflectors.

Not sure about tape, but if from what I have heard if its red and meets visibility requirements it would be OK in CA

BikeAnon

19 grams. I used 3M 680C B black tape to cover up all my logos. Then, I added strips front and rear. I'm going for a semi-weight-weenie build on this bike. It's 16.5 lbs, now. I accept the tradeoff to get the black-out look I want, plus the night safety.

rumrunn6

oh nice! tastefully done!

mstraus

Very nice! I am planning to do similar with my new bike, which is all black. May seem vein, but its also an aesthetic thing. Reflectors don't look good, and bright white tape doesn't look good on an all black bike.

fietsbob

I recommend asking the authorities directly, instead of waiting to see if you are pulled over,

since every stop and even verbal warnings goes on your record as a compter file and the

Insurance premiums on your car, even if the Official Contact was on your bicycle, will be affected.

I-Like-To-Bike

"Will be affected"? You seem pretty sure of that.
Any reference to real life examples?

vol

+2

fietsbob

Personal ones,
Have yet to re apply to own a car, & insurance, for @20 years,

but Even my stop by the doughnut fattened sheriff

who doesn't ride a bicycle, let alone one going slow up hill
brightly lit, head/tail and reflective striped parka, in the center lane preparing, a block early, to turn left..

2 cars, pulled me over, a block from my apartment , because it was a 3 day weekend and they were on DUI patrol..

was cuffed and did the blow in the Jail/office/bunker, well below minimum.

never went to court , citation dropped, , but still have to pay DA $60 to have the stop itself removed from my record .

even accusations are sticking on your record now.

only the date of Orwell's 1984 was off ..

BikeAnon

Google "us navy collecting traffic stops database".

Prepare to be shocked. Wait... in the post-Snowden-era, nothing is shocking any more.

I-Like-To-Bike

Then your comment that car insurance premiums "will be affected" is just your guesswork and speculation?

fietsbob

EVER SATISFIED ARE WE
the DL record is like that credit score , if there is a justification to charge a premium for the percieved risk,

what profit driven corporation would fail to use that to increase their income ?

In short, ask your insurance agent, not Me, I dont write your policy .

I-Like-To-Bike

Thanks for providing your response. The answer: you were only guessing about the "affect" on car insurance premiums; it sounded good and you also assumed if it sounds good, it must be true.

Yes, I'm satisfied.

BikeAnon

https://www.bikeforums.net/advocacy-s...fractions.html

mstraus

Seems to be a bit of FUD on this bikes and tickets thing. Here is what I know, based on research in the past. Bikes are subject to vehicle code in many states, and can get tickets for traffic/vehicle code violations. CA happens to be such a state.

I know in many states you can get a DUI on a bike and I believe impacts your license/record just like a in a car. You probably have to be pretty drunk to get a DUI on a bike...but you are still taking a risk.

In CA, other violations on a bike do go on your record, but should NOT impact you auto insurance or points on your license. In CA you need to make sure the office checks the "bicycle" box or the ticket otherwise indicates you were on a bike or it COULD wind up impacting you (from SF Bike Coalition).

As for needing a license, in CA you DO need a valid ID, such as a divers license or State ID. Failure to present one when riding can result in arrest. I am not sure how this applies to minors.

Even if moving violations did impact your license/insurance, I suspect something like a ticket for reflectors would be similar to a car having a tail light or turn signal out - a fixit ticket, not typically impacting your insurance.

Bottom line - Drinking and biking could lead to serious consequences in some states. Not following traffic laws can lead to a ticket, but shouldn't impact your car insurance. Something like reflector or light violations could be ticketed (though I suspect less likely then say running a red light or stop sign) but I am pretty confident it will not impact your car insurance (at least in CA).

I-Like-To-Bike

Perhaps if someone asks a question often enough in enough places, someone might respond with the sought after answer, "Why yes, your speculation must be true, I read it somewhere on the Internet."