Originally Posted by
cudak888
Not if a 1969 Schwinn catalog has them - which, currently, is the earliest example provided yet.
If anything, they pre-date any FDA or CPSC decision. The CPSC reflector safety theater in 1977 was partially influenced by the BMA/6. Pedal reflectors pre-dated that, but I can't pinpoint a date; seems to have happened around 1969/70.
-Kurt
Yes Schwinn had safety levers early on. Imported bikes did not. By '74 most entry level bikes domestic and import had them.
An example would be the Raleigh Grand Prix US spec bikes. '73 - no safety levers or pedal reflectors and then in '74 safety levers and pedal reflectors.