Reflectors on bikes crap/not crap?

[Bob_the_lost]

The full power of the car/lorry's HID headlamps bouncing straight back at the driver of said vehicle, not just a battery-powered LED.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retroreflector#Operation

Well it's not the full power if you're going to start getting picky, nor does that help as there's the inverse square law, the fact that lorry lights are far far below the driver therefore reflectors are going to be less effective.

 

[beeboo]

Relying on reflectors is just asking to get killed anyway. Do they add anything in addition to lights?

It's not a case of relying on reflectors, it's a case of adding to the number of things that make you visible to other road users - and, more than that mark you out as cyclist, not a car, or a motorbike, or a pedestrian or a traffic cone or whatever else.

One of the reasons pedal reflectors are particularly useful is that they create a visual signal which is pretty unique to cyclists - see those little orange reflectors moving up and down and you quickly register you're looking at a cyclist. A red light could be any number of things. What you want to achieve is ensuring that other road users haven't just seen you but have really registered your presence and can adjust their behaviour accordingly.

 

[tommers]

Will a chainguard stop the bottom of my trousers getting caught up in the cog? Im really no digging the trouser clip style

Right. Get rid of the reflectors. In fact, change the handlebars for ones that are about a foot wide, while you're there. Wear skinny jeans, rolled up to your knees to avoid the chain. You'll need a courier bag, obviously, even if you haven't got anything in it. And, as you so rightly point out, helmets often look pants. Don't wear one. Wear a tweed cap.

Make sure not to wear anything bright. Blacks and dark blues are where it's at. Fluoro gear is for old men and geeks.

Oh, and chicks really dig it if you cycle whilst listening to your ipod.

I hope your bike doesn't have any gears.

Have fun.

 

[gentlegreen]

I've been sadly amiss ignoring reflectors ...

I used to have a huge white topbox on my Lambretta (attached via a plank of wood. ) and I had the rear of it covered with sections cut from a broken warning triangle.

About time I did the same to my pushbike.

White ones for the front are more of a challenge ...

 

[cybertect]

once the bike leaves the shop there is no legal requirement to ride with reflectors.

I thought that too, but upon checking, it seems the regs say otherwise (possibly it changed with the revision to allow flashing lights in 2005?)

DfT: Guidance about lights on pedal bicycles

Obligatory Lighting and Reflectors

Any cycle which is used during the hours of darkness or during periods of poor visibility MUST be fitted with the following:

• white front light
• red rear light
• red rear reflector
• amber/yellow pedal reflectors - front and rear on each pedal.

[emphasis added]

According to the CTC, it's the front and side (wheel) reflectors that are mandatory on new bikes, but are optional once you've left the shop.

 

[wobble]

I would have politely told him to 'go away' ! I would want to be as visible as possible.

That is what I believed and this was after a big campaign by the local plod to get people to wear more visable gear (universty town so lots of students on bikes) and gave away flashing LED clips and neon sashes. I bought it after I went into the side of a post van that didn't see me (I didn't see her either but I never told her that ).

 

[sim667]

Right. Get rid of the reflectors. In fact, change the handlebars for ones that are about a foot wide, while you're there. Wear skinny jeans, rolled up to your knees to avoid the chain. You'll need a courier bag, obviously, even if you haven't got anything in it. And, as you so rightly point out, helmets often look pants. Don't wear one. Wear a tweed cap.

Make sure not to wear anything bright. Blacks and dark blues are where it's at. Fluoro gear is for old men and geeks.

Oh, and chicks really dig it if you cycle whilst listening to your ipod.

I hope your bike doesn't have any gears.

Have fun.

Ill tell you what, how about i get a high vis vest and skintight lycra, cus they'll really stop me getting road rash as I'm sent skidding down the road by a middle aged woman who cant see over her dashboard.


I'll get one of these while I'm at it

That will really help me be visible to road users...... and will cut down my air resistance by a whole 10%

I might even invest in some cleat shoes and pedal because I definately dont want to lose track of my bike under the HGV the will inevitably smash into the back of me.

I definately cant wait to take the gears of my (brand new) bike and put a fixie on, it will help me so much with those 13% hills at the end of my road.

I'll make sure I get a 'hump' bag so I can fit my lycra wear, high vis apparel and cleat shoes in, it will also come in really handy transporting my change of clothes to and from work........

Of course I'm gonna need all of that stuff for my ten minute cycle to work and my sunday rides out into the country.

Ill start saving up for the support vehicle and driver now shall I?

Edited

 

[Boycey]

Right. Get rid of the reflectors. In fact, change the handlebars for ones that are about a foot wide, while you're there. Wear skinny jeans, rolled up to your knees to avoid the chain. You'll need a courier bag, obviously, even if you haven't got anything in it. And, as you so rightly point out, helmets often look pants. Don't wear one. Wear a tweed cap.

Make sure not to wear anything bright. Blacks and dark blues are where it's at. Fluoro gear is for old men and geeks.

Oh, and chicks really dig it if you cycle whilst listening to your ipod.

I hope your bike doesn't have any gears.

Have fun.

this

and don't forget that skin grows back.

 

[sim667]

I thought that too, but upon checking, it seems the regs say otherwise (possibly it changed with the revision to allow flashing lights in 2005?)

DfT: Guidance about lights on pedal bicycles



[emphasis added]

According to the CTC, it's the front and side (wheel) reflectors that are mandatory on new bikes, but are optional once you've left the shop.

Ill probs put the reflectors back on as its a requirement, Im not likely to be riding that bike at night, as I've got an old shitty bike which is my 'pub' bike which has double the amount of required reflectors, aswell as lights....... but you never know.....

 

[Biddlybee]

once the bike leaves the shop there is no legal requirement to ride with reflectors.

Don't think that's true, from what I've read.

e2a: ah, cybertect already posted up there ^

 

[Crispy]

So glad I met an up their own arse twat in this thread, any threads on urban aren't complete without one

Mate, I think you just managed to duck a huge chunk of sarcasm whistling over your head

 

[sim667]

Mate, I think you just managed to duck a huge chunk of sarcasm whistling over your head

Did I jump the gun with my retaliation?

I hate people having digs, it makes me .......

I just dug out my high vis vest from ages ago, I'd forgotten about it

My housemate has drawn a picture of a cow doing a poo on the back of it