Originally Posted by
ThermionicScott
You're really close to realizing why they haven't bothered regulating bicycle lighting yet. Reflectors are cheap, don't require any power, and don't change technology every year. A law that is simple and easy to enforce across the board trumps our conceptions of what might be "perfect."
Once the DOT decided what kind of lighting every bike should have, it'd be mandated, the cost of every bicycle would go up, and we'd all grumble about the stock crap we had to pay for when we upgrade. Not to mention that that cost increase would be regressive.
I think we're just fine as we are. Anyone who cares about their safety can make the changes they feel are appropriate.
Tire reflectors could be mandated. A bit difficult for the international marketplace, but many companies have already adopted them.
Schwalbe uses tire reflectors. I don't believe Continental does. However, I couldn't imagine Continental would give up the entire US marketplace. Of course grey market parts may get around that. What percent of the US tires are grey market?
Many people swap front/rear tires, so I'm not sure I'd go for red reflector tires... what about the next time they get mounted forward? Still, anything is better than nothing.
I'm not sure blinking lights are mentioned in any laws. I think they were adopted by the bicycle community both to save energy and to provide better contrast... and that was about 25 years ago.
I had a NightSun years ago. But, bright lights are really just now hitting the mainstream. So, it is time to start evaluating dimmers and directed beam lights. It is now possible to get bicycle lights that are brighter than auto high-beam lights.
There is also a growing number of users of cleated cycling specific shoes/pedals. WITHOUT REFLECTORS. It would be natural to reflectorize the shoes. Again, something the government could easily mandate.