Ankle lights
#26
Full Member

Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 288
Likes: 174
These are likely the foreign markets, more focused on practical safety and utility, that encourage or even enforce, by regulations, such designs. In my recollection, I managed to get Shimano Saint platform pedals equipped with reflectors for myself in the US, but when my wife wanted the same, only the ones without the reflectors were available. I ordered the reflectors separately from Germany.
I did something similar once upon a time when I wanted to buy a roller sharpening guide for a Husqvarna chainsaw chain. It was a relatively new type of chain, and I couldn't readily find the sharpening guide from a U.S. source. No problem getting a couple of them from a German shop that was happy to ship!
#27
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,954
Likes: 388
From: NE Indiana
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
None of my pedals come with reflectors, that's why I wear ankle reflector bands.
#28
Senior Member


Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 14,164
Likes: 5,292
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
An ankle light that also shines forward and to the side may well help you with left turning on-coming drivers where most reflectors are not very effective. Yes, you don't encounter those left turners often. But the death rate when it happens is impressively high. And as no-glider pointed out above, that up and down leg light looks like nothing else out there. It gets noticed.
I rode for decades in the days before any good lights with just a good reflecting vest, minimal reflecting stuff on the bike and religiously, an ankle light. First decade around Boston. Never hit. (Yes, I put myself in a few situations a good headlight would have kept me out of. But the good batteries and bulbs hadn't happened yet. The bright systems were big, heavy and expensive. Night Rider's halogen headlight with the WB battery, real runtime, bright and reliable? I was on board fast.
I rode for decades in the days before any good lights with just a good reflecting vest, minimal reflecting stuff on the bike and religiously, an ankle light. First decade around Boston. Never hit. (Yes, I put myself in a few situations a good headlight would have kept me out of. But the good batteries and bulbs hadn't happened yet. The bright systems were big, heavy and expensive. Night Rider's halogen headlight with the WB battery, real runtime, bright and reliable? I was on board fast.
#29
Palmer

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,153
Likes: 2,263
From: Parts Unknown
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
US regulations for bicycles offered at retail to consumers:
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-1...er-C/part-1512
The pedal reflector section:
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-1...12#p-1512.16(e)
Note: these federal regulations for new retail sales can be and probably are different from the various states' requirements for legal use on roadways.
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-1...er-C/part-1512
The pedal reflector section:
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-1...12#p-1512.16(e)
Note: these federal regulations for new retail sales can be and probably are different from the various states' requirements for legal use on roadways.
#30
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,954
Likes: 388
From: NE Indiana
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
I rode for decades in the days before any good lights with just a good reflecting vest, minimal reflecting stuff on the bike and religiously, an ankle light. First decade around Boston. Never hit. (Yes, I put myself in a few situations a good headlight would have kept me out of. But the good batteries and bulbs hadn't happened yet. The bright systems were big, heavy and expensive. Night Rider's halogen headlight with the WB battery, real runtime, bright and reliable? I was on board fast.




