Pedal reflector law fixes
Re: Pedal reflector law fixes
Niggle Everyone asks the same question. First question on facebook was just that
NUKe
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Re: Pedal reflector law fixes
Nice to see the police offering cyclists a 1 week 'amnesty' allowing them the same terms as the much less dangerous motorists found with lights out.
I've been hit from behind by an unlit cyclist whilst walking along an unlit shared use path at night. Think he just saw me at the last minute (must've been doing some silly speed into the darkness in front of him) so managed to just clip my elbow instead of ploughing straight into me.
Really? I seriously doubt they are a significant risk to pedestrians, who will normally have the time and their sight adjusted to low light in order to spot them coming, and as for other road users, how? (OK to motorcyclists possibly, but IME they pay very close attention to what is in front of them when riding down the road).Suffolk Constabulary wrote:Sergeant Mark Shipton, of Newmarket Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "Cyclists riding without lights are not only putting their own lives at risk, but are a danger to other road users and pedestrians who are not able to see them.
I've been hit from behind by an unlit cyclist whilst walking along an unlit shared use path at night. Think he just saw me at the last minute (must've been doing some silly speed into the darkness in front of him) so managed to just clip my elbow instead of ploughing straight into me.
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Re: Pedal reflector law fixes
Niggle
Query it all you like, but it's a crowd pleaser.
Query it all you like, but it's a crowd pleaser.
Re: Pedal reflector law fixes
While I can see that an (extra) rear (flashing) lamp is a clever quick way to make lots of current lit cyclists instantly legal,
it seems a bit unfair that any recumbent riders who dislike flashing lights will have no alternative non-flashing option:
perhaps, a clause to force a periodic check for research on other non-flashing options could be added? EDIT i.e. accept the simple fixes for now but place some sort of sunset clause that causes a review of possible extra alternatives later.
As a compromise that might still satisfy the flashing rule: What about an intelligent flashing lamp that switches to steady when followed closely by another vehicle (and, optionally?, not under streetlamps) ?
(e.g a variant of this https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1670187625/seesense-the-intelligent-bike-light-with-road-sens http://www.seesense.cc/ *)
As a (future?) option idea, presumably requiring research, would be to use the plastic rod support for recumbent users flags as a (red?amber) light guide or reflector, essentially giving a very tall fibre-flare or reflector (which could wobble, i.e. some movement, as well as perhaps forming a notable pattern). The flag could be reflective too.
*Someone has already pointed them to CJs RVLR page with regard to legal flash rates. I don't like rates of 1-2Hz as they match direction indicators, leaving 3-4Hz, making their variable flash rate rather pointless to me: but varying the rear between 0 and 4Hz--- that might be useful and more civilised. And zero Hz all the time for a civilised front one .
it seems a bit unfair that any recumbent riders who dislike flashing lights will have no alternative non-flashing option:
perhaps, a clause to force a periodic check for research on other non-flashing options could be added? EDIT i.e. accept the simple fixes for now but place some sort of sunset clause that causes a review of possible extra alternatives later.
As a compromise that might still satisfy the flashing rule: What about an intelligent flashing lamp that switches to steady when followed closely by another vehicle (and, optionally?, not under streetlamps) ?
(e.g a variant of this https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1670187625/seesense-the-intelligent-bike-light-with-road-sens http://www.seesense.cc/ *)
As a (future?) option idea, presumably requiring research, would be to use the plastic rod support for recumbent users flags as a (red?amber) light guide or reflector, essentially giving a very tall fibre-flare or reflector (which could wobble, i.e. some movement, as well as perhaps forming a notable pattern). The flag could be reflective too.
*Someone has already pointed them to CJs RVLR page with regard to legal flash rates. I don't like rates of 1-2Hz as they match direction indicators, leaving 3-4Hz, making their variable flash rate rather pointless to me: but varying the rear between 0 and 4Hz--- that might be useful and more civilised. And zero Hz all the time for a civilised front one .
Last edited by SA_SA_SA on 23 Feb 2014, 4:51pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Pedal reflector law fixes
I think it's right to focus on a simple solution to legislation which currently makes a minority of cycles illegal to ride at night. There the need for change is clear, even if that change has been slow in coming. That some of this minority of cyclists may dislike the prescribed lighting is not likely to be seen as a legitimate concern. Too many red herrings risks losing sight of the aim which is to ensure we can all be legal on the roads. Keep it simple.
Re: Pedal reflector law fixes
Bicycler wrote:I think it's right to focus on a simple solution to legislation .... Keep it simple.
But I did mention split into the immediate quick law fix (simple flashing) with a review later to add any extra alternative options...
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Re: Pedal reflector law fixes
These regulations should be regularly updated to cater for advances in technology and better knowledge. In practice it seems that it has been very difficult to get even essential changes (pedal reflectors/flashing and led lights) made. I suspect that the probability of serious consideration subsequently being given to catering for cyclists who can't use pedal reflectors and who don't want to use flashing lights is precisely nil.
Re: Pedal reflector law fixes
But my idea was that a clause added to the current simple flashing fix would mandate a later review of other alternate options in X years time.
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Re: Pedal reflector law fixes
SA_SA_SA wrote:But my idea was that a clause added to the current simple flashing fix would mandate a later review of other alternate options in X years time.
Nice idea, but in this bike-forsaken country it's as likely to get off the ground as the Empress of Blandings!
Chris Juden
One lady owner, never raced or jumped.
One lady owner, never raced or jumped.
Re: Pedal reflector law fixes
CJ wrote:....
Nice idea, but in this bike-forsaken country it's as likely to get off the ground as the Empress of Blandings!
Could someone please name their plane "Empress of Blandings"....
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Re: Pedal reflector law fixes
niggle wrote:I wonder if they will be legal lights?Suffolk Constabulary wrote:Anyone aged 17 or under who is caught will either be escorted home or visited at an arranged time by the officer, who will explain to their parents or guardians about why they were stopped, provide them with some cycle safety advice and a set of lights to fit to their child’s bike.
Now I want to get a 16y/old to ride around in front of the cop shop sans lights, *just* to see what they are handing out, and then write to the press pointing out that even the police are unable to source UK legal lights...
A shortcut has to be a challenge, otherwise it would just be the way. No situation is so dire that panic cannot make it worse.
There are two kinds of people in this world: those can extrapolate from incomplete data.
There are two kinds of people in this world: those can extrapolate from incomplete data.
Re: Pedal reflector law fixes
[XAP]Bob wrote:Now I want to get a 16y/old to ride around in front of the cop shop sans lights, *just* to see what they are handing out, and then write to the press pointing out that even the police are unable to source UK legal lights...
Easier but slower if you ask at http://www.WhatDoTheyKnow.com/body/suffolk_constabulary
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
Re: Pedal reflector law fixes
Slightly OT here .........
Had she been stopped by the police, would she have been taken back to her parents?
I can assure anyone reading this, that she certainly wasn't a child!
We married when Mrs Mick F was 17.Suffolk Constabulary wrote:Anyone aged 17 or under who is caught will either be escorted home or visited at an arranged time by the officer, who will explain to their parents or guardians about why they were stopped, provide them with some cycle safety advice and a set of lights to fit to their child’s bike.
Had she been stopped by the police, would she have been taken back to her parents?
I can assure anyone reading this, that she certainly wasn't a child!
Mick F. Cornwall
Re: Pedal reflector law fixes
Mick F wrote:Slightly OT here .........We married when Mrs Mick F was 17.Suffolk Constabulary wrote:Anyone aged 17 or under who is caught will either be escorted home or visited at an arranged time by the officer, who will explain to their parents or guardians about why they were stopped, provide them with some cycle safety advice and a set of lights to fit to their child’s bike.
Had she been stopped by the police, would she have been taken back to her parents?
I can assure anyone reading this, that she certainly wasn't a child!
Oh yes she was- legally.
Though a 16+ child has a range of rights that younger ones do not.
Re: Pedal reflector law fixes
Not after marriage.
Your parents aren't in control after that. They have given permission, and that's it.
BTW, 40+ years of wedded bliss.
Anyway .......... this is OT.
Your parents aren't in control after that. They have given permission, and that's it.
BTW, 40+ years of wedded bliss.
Anyway .......... this is OT.
Mick F. Cornwall