This summer we plan to ride across Canada. And I am considering Bike Flags on our bikes in addition to the Safety Triangle and flashers.
For those of you that use flags how do you attach the poles? Cable/Zip Ties on the rear rack? Maybe a 2 piece pole for those times when going indoors?
We have ridden across the US,2 summers ago, so we are not novices. But I have the desire to be even more visible.
Thanks!

There are kid's flags that should bolt onto the wheel bolts. Tying it into the racks should add extra 2-point support.

I have never attached one, but if I was to try, I would probably get two small hose clamps and attach the pole at two points on the rack. Hose clamps can be loosened for when you want to box up the bike.

Some people swing their leg over the rear of the bike to get on. If you are one of them, will you kick the pole?

I sharply bend my leg at the knee and then swing my knee over the toptube in front of the saddle to get on the bike. Thus, I would not hit a pole with my leg if the pole is attached to the rear of the rack.

No problem as I mount my bike the same as you. And my wife now has a step through touring frame.

BoB/Burly trailers Had pole sockets ..

^This

Before sweating how to mount a flag, consider what you're trying to achieve.

If you're worried about improving visibility to drivers approaching from behind think about which way the flag flies. As you ride, the flag will tend to point straight back, presenting a minimum (edgewise) profile to drivers directly behind you.

Of course, cross winds will help fix that, and the flag is also very visible to traffic abeam of you, but otherwise it's of extremely limited benefit.

Tom, If you plan to fly both US and Canadian flags be sure to place the Canadian flag on top when you cross the border. A Brit on one of my TransAmerica tours was severely reprimanded one day by a woman who noticed that he had his Union Jack placed ABOVE his US flag!

Before reprimand...



After reprimand...

I believe you will find Canadian drivers much more courteous than U.S. drivers, especially the truck drivers.

Our experience with canadian truck drivers has been extremely positive. On the Trans Canadian Highway where the shoulder is almost as wide as the motor vehicle lane, the truck drivers would pull over to the far left lane to pass us. This was especially noticeable in the plains where wind alway seemed to be a factor. When I asked a trucker why they took the effort when there was plenty of room, he said that they did not want their turbulence to create a dangerous situation for cyclists. We also got friendly beeps from truckers who had passed us several times on the portion of our route between Calgary and Winnipeg.

The point of all this BS is that a flag may be less necessary than in the U.S. Bright clothes and lights during low visibility conditions should be adequate.

This is what happened 99% of the time when truckers had room to pull over. Trans Canadian Highway, just east of Regina.

I have used the mounts that bolt onto the hub that come with the cheap two piece flags. Lost that and made a pvc sheath that I zip tied to the rack.

Dont use on for recreational riding or around town, but generally like using a flag when touring despite getting a little flack for it from those who say that if they are not going to see you, then they wont see you with a flag either. I have had a six or seven random people tell me that they saw my flag over the top of a hill, moving over a field of wheat or corn, and even just on long flat stretches long before seeing me or my flashers.

I throw my leg over the rear, so do hit the pole, its annoying, but eventually get mounting down without hitting it, unless really tired. Just remember to bend the knee more.

have lost one flag to low trees once, just lifted it out of the socket. Another time, getting into an elevator with the bike, I had to pull it out to clear the doors, and when it popped out hard the top impaled the ceiling of the lobby Since then I remember to pull it out before entering any building.

I like a two part pole, it stores better, and I take it off when on rail trails or paths, and stuff them under a pannier lid or something. There tend to be more low trees on paths that can catch a flag.

Once I rode to visit a freind a couple hundred miles away. He was trying to talk me in on the phone, as I was super lost trying to find his place in town. I was going back and forth on a road trying to figure out which of the ten huge churches was the one to turn at, when he called me to say that I was only a quarter mile away. He could see my dorky flag moving back and forth on the other side of a ridge, and was able to talk me through the route by watching the orange flag from his porch!

I found a close up of Bill Maxwell's flag attachment (courtesy of https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/4934). Just zip ties to the rack...

Technically, you should fly them at the same level!

I haven't seen one of those flags in decades. I was under the impression that LED lighting pretty much made them obsolete for visibility. I sure love my Superflash blinky.

Badjelly the witch and zipties

Just yesterday,I was in the grocery store, and a customer on a motorized wheelchair had a flagpole, but at the top was a big red reflector, positioned to face backwards. I thought that could be a cycling accessory too, maybe with an LED.

Jim from Boston, While some reflectors may not work that high from the ground and maybe useless in daylight, the LED, if affixed in a way that wind direction won't effect it's visibility from the rear, is an excellent idea. I have a couple of no-name LED blinkies and the batteries seem to last a very long time.

Brad

your LBS should have a little hardware kit that is sold with the flags. it's a 6" metal piece with points to attach to screws on your bike. you might have to customize it a little & possibly user a zip tie or two. lacking that, I one time used a curtain rod holder so I would have a kind of "cup" at the bottom. I used flag when I started commuting cuz I was used to flags for the family when we started riding with the kids when they were small. we were pretty cute. you could see us coming a mile away

I prefer the 1 piece flags but lots of them come in segments
https://www.amazon.com/Diamondback-S...1N4YHHJPNXQR0E

you could check out your local marine supply store.
all sorts of high-quality rustproof hardware and
mounting supplies, little flagpoles, and usually
a groovy selection of appropriately-sized high
visibility lightweight nylon flags.

Back in the early '70s while on vacation with my family, I saw a bike flag 'pole' that was also the riders' fishing pole. He had a multi-color spinning helix (you see similar wind chime/kinetic sculptures at garden centers) at the tip of his fishing pole, attached to the bike much like posts #14 and 17 above.

In 70's there was quite a fad for bike flags, mostly on casual bikes but IIRC some tourists used them also. For hilly twisty roads they might give an extra margin of visibility. OTOH recently a senior recumbent rider with a flag was killed by a motorist when crossing a road on a bike trail.