riding in the dark: legally required equipment

[LightWeight]

Interesting article on VeloNews today (even better since it applies to Minnesota directly):

http://velonews.com/news/fea/11094.0.html

[Paul Swenson]

It seems that statute needs to be updated to reflect--excuse the pun--today's equipment.

Thanks for posting that. I'll have to start wearing my reflective vest.

[gopherhockey]

(a) No person shall operate a bicycle at nighttime unless the bicycle or its operator is equipped with a lamp which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front

They haven't seen Bob's lights or they might have put in a maximum distance stipulation as well.. :shocked:

[destrago]

I have an older version of these:

http://bike.shimano.com/media/images/cycling/products/actionsports/SH/SH-MT50G_popup_v1_m56577569830551291.jpg

which have reflective triangles in the heel - I wonder if that counts sufficiently for having 'pedal' reflectors, since they are, technically, attached to my pedals when I'm riding. Otherwise that article makes a good point about clipless being illegal, and I'll go back to platforms 3 weeks from never.

I also wonder how well a blinkey would stand up in court. I wonder if, at 500 feet in low beams, there's not some light reflection inside a blinkey too,even if the battery is dead. A well designed blinkey might have red LEDs, a clear plastic cover, and red reflectors in the back to suit just this need. Does this exists or are we sitting in a minor gold mine?

-Tony

[Ish]

I'm thinking we also need to place a call to the matress police :eyeroll:

[Gus]

Now I have not commuted in the dark for a couple of years but if i remeber right...the actual red shell is nade of the same plastic on a reflector as a blinkie so why wouldnt it "REFLECT" when light hits it ? it should. ill have to check when I get home. But then the other thing you have to ask yourslef in my opinion is how many accidents or times have you been pulled over for insufficient lighting/ reflectors ? I know I it has never happened to me (knock on wood).
But the law should be updated per clipless pedals becasue I too have a pair of cannondale commuter shoes kind of like the shimanos shown that have a reflective stripe. Makes ya wonder.

[ibismojo2001]

Reflective anklets might work as well.

Anybody want to go in on a bulk purchase of reflectors???:D

[tedsti]

Just do a lap of Leb at night and you will find plenty. I have about 40 on my bench at home that I collected last year.

Reflective anklets might work as well.

Anybody want to go in on a bulk purchase of reflectors???:D