Is it important to have a rear reflector in addition to a tail light?

Some cities require them even if you have a light.

IMHO, I think a good light is better.

So many different situations.

In my own case, I bike for transportation and often at night on arterial suburban roads. I’ve got multiple lights and I have reflectors. Weight is not an issue for me.

Another consideration is state/local laws. I never want to make it easy for LEO to hassle me.

OTOH, daylight riding, minimum weight? Yeah, who needs reflectors?

In Florida, when a bike is used between sunset and sunrise, requirements include:

• white light in front
• red light in back
• red reflector in back

For some of the riding I do, I think that a rear reflector is a good idea.

so after sunrise and before sunset, none of that is required. OP check your state laws.

Some of the larger rack mount lights and even some of the smaller seatpost or seat stay lights have reflectors built in. B&M lights and other Euro lights are good for this, as it the "Greatful Red" light and some Portland Design lights. https://www.planetbike.com/grateful-...ke-tail-light/

I found a very interesting reflector for the side or front that is a white reflector, but is a black sticker that blends perfectly with black satin finish on rims or frames. It is made by Lightweights(r) Power Reflectors in the Bright Black color. They are cheap with one large 2" dot and 6 1/2" dots that peel off and stick onto a clean surface. I can barely see them in the daylight on the side of my fork blades and on my pedal caps, but are a bright white reflection at night. https://lightweights.com/collections...h-black-dots-7

Bright Lights with Reflective Tape works for me.

A rear reflector is nice to have in case of rear light failure.

I recommend as many reflectors as will fit on your bike.

3M reflective tape. I have a bunch in black. Put it on black parts of my motorcycle and bicycles. The only issue is when take a picture in low light the flash lights them up.

I think I get it from Identi-tape.

Bill in VA ,
Thanks for that… Those look awesome. I’m going to try them. Thinking ahead, they look like a great stocking stuffer.
Being 3M, I wonder if the tape is available in bulk for cutting custom shapes (lettering).

Barry

Edit: Found it…… called Scotchlite 680 and comes in colors.

Google your states bicycle rules. Usually you'll find a section on required equipment. Some places reflectors are optional if you have a light. Some states you might find you have to have both. Some states you might have to have a lit lamp at all times.

You might be surprised when you read what is written as law and what is actually being practiced.

And as others mentioned even some smaller jurisdictions have additional requirements more stringent than state requirements.

Law aside for the moment: Daylight riding maybe not. Rainy, really gray - perhaps.

Sunset to sunrise - yes. Batteries fail. Reflectors "create" their own light.

Reflectors ONLY WORK When a LIGHT is Shining on IT.

I understand the appeal of having one item that covers both light and reflector needs. It's nice to know that there are options available that use a seatpost mount; thanks for sharing.

On my rear-rack-equipped bike, I made my own bracket that can accommodate two Cateye reflectors, with space available in the middle for mounting the rechargeable LED taillight of my choice.

But it doesn't take much light shining on them. And they will reflect back much even when beyond the range you'd consider for headlights to illuminate.

There are many times when I was driving late at night that reflectors on the pedals or shoes going up and down made it readily apparent what I must be approaching. I feel the moving of the reflectors also made it more noticeable than just the single tiny tail light that alone might have made determining the distance from me more difficult.

Though lately it seems fewer care for reflectors. I see them less and less. Thankfully I don't have to drive as much as I use to.

Even if my state had zero laws requiring lights and reflectors (which they do), I would still use them.

That said, I have a decent Bontrager light set. Problem is, the red tail light does not have an integrated reflector. I have no room to put back the red reflector that came with the bike due to the saddle bag taking up all of the exposed seatpost.

Put some Reflective Tape on the bags.

You might look at options for mounting a reflector on a seatstay or chainstay.

Reflectors aren't a bad thing but lights are the most important. Just make sure to keep them charged if not running a dynamo. However if a light fails a reflector is at least something it may not be great and does require someone else to actually have a light shone on it to see it but it is certainly not a bad thing to have.

Why do you ask?

I don't personally have any reflectors or lights but I don't ride after dark.

Bought All My Lights for Day Riding Safety

Hoping to Alert Cell Phone Drivers.

my clothes have reflective properties, just in case the lights are in-op, I'll have something to fallback on, & hopefully not into a vehicle.

I've noticed that both Walmart and Academy Sports have large selections of "bike" accessories. Hard to know what might be needed, best to stock up.

Reflective dog leashes, 24oz starbucks cups, menthol cigs, fluffy phone cases, & crocs flipflops.