Some lawmakers must have cheated on their English exams. I am posting the whole thing for entertainment purposes. If I end up getting a ticket I am almost certain to win in court.

Lights and reflectors on bicycles, etc.
(17) When on a highway at any time from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres or less, every motor-assisted bicycle and bicycle (other than a unicycle) shall carry a lighted lamp displaying a white or amber light on its front and a lighted lamp displaying a red light or a reflector on its rear, and in addition white reflective material shall be placed on its front forks, and red reflective material covering a surface of not less than 250 millimetres in length and 25 millimetres in width shall be placed on its rear. 2015, c. 14, s. 21 (2).



I thought that since there is a rear reflector they may be asking for red reflector material to be facing the sides.
Does this mean rear facing red material or does it mean facing the side on the rear or?
is it 250MM in length for each side?

"red reflective material covering a surface of not less than 250 millimetres in length and 25 millimetres in width shall be placed on its rear."

White reflective tape. Does that normally reflect forward, to the side or both?

thanks.

forresto.

Yes, it's pretty muddy, though I gather they're talking about side reflectors.

My problem is simpler, and relates the the required dimensions. I'm not sure that most bicycles have sufficiently fat tubing to fit that much reflective tape.

In any case, I suspect that compliance with that specific requirement will be near zero, though the front and rear light requirement is reasonable.

They're looking for white reflective tape facing forward on the front fork, and red on the rear facing rearward.

Extremely confusing. I actually have the tape on one of my bikes - my winter one.

what comes installed on them is supposed to be sufficient until night time and then you need to have additional reflective lighting on your bicycle for greater visibility - blinkers come in handy as well as that reflective tape . . . safety vests are a must as well. this is when you're on night rides.

as a resident of Ontario, they can be downright scary. i once got hit by a car passing a highway intersection although i survived that with mere knee scrapes and a limp for all of a day afterwards. the bicycle got written off and the person only gave me enough money to cover the frame which got damaged and turned out to be unfixable. person didn't see me for some reason I dunno. anyway so that's my night riding crazy story.

the rest of my night rides in comparison are boring which is good . . . like I mean uneventful to me. the whole point of a night ride is point A to point B anyway.

Thanks. How did you come by that information?

If I put it facing forward I am definitely going to add my own to the side, seems silly have all that reflection going to the back and none to the side . Here is a link to the current official Ministry documentation for bike safety accessories. The few pictures of bikes that do have tape have them going to the side.

If one looks closer at those bike picks it looks like very few are legal to ride at night and less than 1/2 have a bell on them.

https://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/saf...ing-skills.pdf

I doubt there would be many, if any, traffic enforcement officer in Ontario who'd know about this obscure piece of law regarding the reflective tape on the fork and rear stays. Having a lights on the front and rear should sufficient in most, if not all, riding situations, day or night. If you were to be stopped by a police officer you'd more likely get a ticket for not having a bell, or running a stop sign.

Put as many lights and reflectors on your bike and yourself and nobody will accuse you of being in neglect of the law. By lighting yourself up, you're​ demonstrating the intent of the law.

I am a little late but MEC sell this exactly for you. I used them here in BC and I loved having them in addition to other lights.

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5024-2...-%28Ontario%29

Ontario's laws regarding bicycles really needs to be written. It is confusing for the cyclists understanding the law and the police trying to actually enforce the law.

Honestly, so do BC's bike laws. With in the increase in cycling and cycle commuting a big look needs to be had into legislation and resources.

At least in ON the lights are required before dark, in BC I think (if my memory serves me correctly) lights are not required until half an hour after sunset and until half an hour before sunrise. Which I never understood, yes there is ambient light but it is a time of poor visibility.

Ask Jordan Peterson...he freakin hates poorly written law.