Reflector tape?
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Reflector tape?
For some reason I was browsing through the Illinois laws regarding bike lights and I found out that a reflector is a required piece of equipment when riding at night. I ride almost nightly in the winter and have a very good lighting system, but when I buy a bike one of the first things I do is remove all the reflectors. I'm thinking of applying reflector tape to the frame. Anyone use reflector tape on their night-ridden bikes?
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For some reason I was browsing through the Illinois laws regarding bike lights and I found out that a reflector is a required piece of equipment when riding at night. I ride almost nightly in the winter and have a very good lighting system, but when I buy a bike one of the first things I do is remove all the reflectors. I'm thinking of applying reflector tape to the frame. Anyone use reflector tape on their night-ridden bikes?
I run lights as SOP. I use dyno hubs with good quality LED head lights and steady LED tail lights with stand lights. I also run a blinky as a back up/visibility light. Current light is the Planet Bike Super Flash.
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In states where a reflector is required, you might need to have a CPSC-certified reflector. The Cateye Reflex tail light incorporates one into it's design, killing two birds with one stone. Indiana law requires a headlight and and rear tail light or reflector.
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CO requires a red reflector, but I've never had a cop stop me to tell me my Dinotte 140R was insufficient.
I'm considering adding a reflector just to be fully legal in case of an incident where a lawyer might be grasping at straws.
I'm considering adding a reflector just to be fully legal in case of an incident where a lawyer might be grasping at straws.
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Here's the relevant laws
Every bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or EPAMD in use at the times described in section 42-4-204 shall be equipped with a lamp on the front emitting a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front.
Every bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or EPAMD shall be equipped with a red reflector of a type approved by the department, which shall be visible for six hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle.
Every bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or EPAMD when in use at the times described in section 42-4-204 shall be equipped with reflective material of sufficient size and reflectivity to be visible from both sides for six hundred feet when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle or, in lieu of such reflective material, with a lighted lamp visible from both sides from a distance of at least five hundred feet.
A bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or EPAMD or its rider may be equipped with lights or reflectors in addition to those required by subsections (2) to (4) of this section.
Every bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or EPAMD shall be equipped with a red reflector of a type approved by the department, which shall be visible for six hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle.
Every bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or EPAMD when in use at the times described in section 42-4-204 shall be equipped with reflective material of sufficient size and reflectivity to be visible from both sides for six hundred feet when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle or, in lieu of such reflective material, with a lighted lamp visible from both sides from a distance of at least five hundred feet.
A bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or EPAMD or its rider may be equipped with lights or reflectors in addition to those required by subsections (2) to (4) of this section.
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For riding after dark, every bicycle must be equipped with proper lighting equipment:
Front - a lighted lamp that is visible from a distance of at least 300 feet.
Rear - a red reflex mirror or lamp that is visible from a distance of at least 200 feet. [§20-129(e)]
Front - a lighted lamp that is visible from a distance of at least 300 feet.
Rear - a red reflex mirror or lamp that is visible from a distance of at least 200 feet. [§20-129(e)]
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
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In my state, the reflector must be red, and must be visible in lawfully-aimed low-beam headlights for all distances up to 600 feet. The reflector can be approved by the CPSC, the DOT, or any other entity, but what matters in court is its actual performance. So a DOT-approved or CPSC-approved reflector with a coat of mud could fail the test.
Anyway, if you'd like to go with reflective tape instead of plastic reflectors, that's a valid approach. Reflective tape reflects even from severe angles, it weighs only a few grams, and you can put it where you want it. Here's some that's available in smaller quantities, thin enough not to be too prone to peeling, and high quality: https://www.night-gear.com/1-inch-v82...-reflexite-539
Oh, and if you want to enhance your visibility from the front approaches, to help show up when you're waiting to turn across traffic for example, you can pinstripe the underside of your top tube and downtube with the silver stuff, and consider a stripe down the front of each fork leg:
Or you can just get completely carried away
Last edited by mechBgon; 12-23-11 at 09:26 PM.
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I have two CPSC-type-approved reflectors for legality, but rely much more on tape for conspicuity.
This shot simulates the angle of lighting from a car half a lane to my left, merging into my lane. As you can see, the two red reflectors are relatively invisible compared to the reflective tape on the rear mudflap, fender, pedals, and shoes.
I also put quite a bit on my helmet -- a less efficient position because of the higher angle, but it's above most obstacles that could block lower parts of the bike.
Conspicuity 3 by joshua_putnam, on Flickr
The largest single reflector is half a square foot of diamond-grade tape on a waterproof flap that snaps to my backpack.
Reflective Flap on Backpack by joshua_putnam, on Flickr
This shot simulates the angle of lighting from a car half a lane to my left, merging into my lane. As you can see, the two red reflectors are relatively invisible compared to the reflective tape on the rear mudflap, fender, pedals, and shoes.
I also put quite a bit on my helmet -- a less efficient position because of the higher angle, but it's above most obstacles that could block lower parts of the bike.
Conspicuity 3 by joshua_putnam, on Flickr
The largest single reflector is half a square foot of diamond-grade tape on a waterproof flap that snaps to my backpack.
Reflective Flap on Backpack by joshua_putnam, on Flickr
Last edited by jputnam; 12-24-11 at 11:44 AM. Reason: error correction
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The law here (Ontario Canada) stipulates a rear red reflector or light, a front light AND several inches of reflective tape on the seatstays and fork.
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Indiana rear reflector requirement only specifies that it be visible from 500 feet - that's it.
Yes, indeed, that reflector will be worthless covered with mud. Just like a light is worthless with a dead battery.
Best strategy may be a combination of powered lights, reflectors and reflective tape and/or fabric, etc.
Yes, indeed, that reflector will be worthless covered with mud. Just like a light is worthless with a dead battery.
Best strategy may be a combination of powered lights, reflectors and reflective tape and/or fabric, etc.
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I'd also recommend riders keep their red reflectors or add them back to their bike.
Reflective tape is great stuff.
Reflective tape is great stuff.
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I ride nearly every night so it looks like the reflectors will go back on. The legal issues are reason enough. I'll probably add some reflector tape for safety.
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