plancashire wrote: ↑3 Jun 2023, 10:11pm
I'd second that. I bought a pack of red and a pack of white reflective material and stuck the bits wherever I could. I also always wear reflective trouser bands. Things low and moving catch attention. Panniers obstruct these from close range. With no panniers I reckon I have 7 rear and 7 forward reflectors on my big bike and similar on the Brompton. Both bikes have constant and flashing front and rear lights.
In Germany you must have reflectors: rear red, front white, pedals front and rear, and spoke or tyre reflectors. In UK too?
BTW, Ortlieb panniers have white reflective triangles front and rear. Is this a double infringement in UK?
In the UK, to ride your bike legally at night you will need a rear reflector and pedal reflectors, as well as front and rear lamps. There are further requirements, such as complying with standards, and exceptions, which are explained in
CJ's guide on cycle lighting regs. Note these are the minimum lamps and reflectors required.
You can fit optional lamps and reflectors that do not have to comply with any standards, but it’s illegal to use some designs of lamp or reflector that have specific other uses. You must not, for instance, show a red light at the front, or a white light to the rear, or fit triangular-shaped rear reflectors on anything other than trailer.
Showing a white reflector or light to the rear (and vice versa) would be illegal if it was fitted to the bike. I'm not sure on the legality of showing a white reflector on a pannier bag. Probably not I'd guess, or at least it seems to be a grey area.
The
Pedal Bicycles Safety Regulations (PBSR) (which I assume is still in force) places
additional requirements regarding reflectors on new bikes at the point of sale (e.g. in the bike shop), namely white or yellow reflectors on both sides of each wheel or tyre, and a white wide-angle front reflector (or a front lamp), in addition to the reflectors mentioned above. The front and side reflectors are not required by law beyond the point of sale and can be removed later by the customer.
You mention you use flashing lights. I thought these were illegal in Germany?