Blue reflective tape?

[powysrider]

Does anyone know if it is ok to use blue reflective tape on my bike, or should it only be reserved for emergency vehicles?

[NUKe]

Your not allowed to show blue light as these are reserved for the emergency services. I am not aware of any restrictions on reflective for road use . It looks good in your photograph.

[beardy]

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/made

I think that if you go down to part 2.
Reg 11 (2) No vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp which is capable of showing any light to the rear, other than a red light, except–

Even though it says lamp it seems that includes reflectors because it gives a list of reflectors that are exempt from it.
Like most other cyclists I violate this rule with a whole host of non-compliant reflective tapes.

PS: (1) says the same for the front and non-white lights.

[Brucey]

you might be mistaken for 'a police bike'.... or perhaps a strange kind of motorway sign.....

Personally I wouldn't use blue reflexite like that (IIRC towtrucks etc don't...) but do you have a reason to choose blue over some other colour?

cheers

[powysrider]

you might be mistaken for 'a police bike'.... or perhaps a strange kind of motorway sign.....

Personally I wouldn't use blue reflexite like that (IIRC towtrucks etc don't...) but do you have a reason to choose blue over some other colour?

cheers

Thought with the blue I may stand out more, (be safer) but i guess for the wrong reasons, as you say police vehicle etc.....

[tim-b]

Hi
I think that a blue light / reflector is legal providing that:

It can't be mistaken for a statutory lamp e.g. your front and rear lights which must be white/yellow (front) and red (rear) and would show your direction of travel clearly. On a car this would include sidelights and headlights although some lights are exceptions e.g. number plate lights and reversing lights
It doesn't automatically flash (includes rotating beacons)

This is why you see lorries with blue position markers atop the cab, cars with LEDs underneath and in the washer jets, etc.
Regards
tim-b

[Brucey]

This is why you see lorries with blue position markers atop the cab, cars with LEDs underneath and in the washer jets, etc.

my understanding is that all these things are illegal.

cheers

[rmurphy195]

I feel that the more people use blue lights/reflectors etc the more we will find people getting so used to them they ignore genuine emergency lights - which happens to a frightening extent already. And I don't mean just motor vehicle drivers, but cyclists and pedestrians too - I've seen them all ignore emergency approaching vehicles.

Stick to white at the front, red to the rear.

[beardy]

I've seen them all ignore emergency approaching vehicles.

I really dont think that this has anything to do with blue reflectives or underbody lights.

I couldnt help but laugh the other day when an ambulance bluelighting (with sirens on) past a row of traffic had to resort to blasting the ordinary horn at somebody blocking his progress!

[Vorpal]

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/made

I think that if you go down to part 2.
Reg 11 (2) No vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp which is capable of showing any light to the rear, other than a red light, except–

Even though it says lamp it seems that includes reflectors because it gives a list of reflectors that are exempt from it.
Like most other cyclists I violate this rule with a whole host of non-compliant reflective tapes.

PS: (1) says the same for the front and non-white lights.

The information about side reflectors indicates that ther are no colour requirements for pedal cycles and motor bicycles. So, reflectors mounted to the wheels, and reflecting to the side can be any colour, including blue.

[[XAP]Bob]

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/made

I think that if you go down to part 2.
Reg 11 (2) No vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp which is capable of showing any light to the rear, other than a red light, except–

Even though it says lamp it seems that includes reflectors because it gives a list of reflectors that are exempt from it.
Like most other cyclists I violate this rule with a whole host of non-compliant reflective tapes.

PS: (1) says the same for the front and non-white lights.

The information about side reflectors indicates that ther are no colour requirements for pedal cycles and motor bicycles. So, reflectors mounted to the wheels, and reflecting to the side can be any colour, including blue.

And of course - on a wheel they could be in a "pie" pattern, and therefore appear to flash...

[tim-b]

Hi

my understanding is that all these things are illegal.

Screen washer nozzles and lorry marker lights
Under chassis lighting

Edit: the bike is shown with forward-facing blue reflectives, rearward-facing blue wouldn't be legal IMHO
Regards
tim-b

[PhilPub]

Regardless of the law, I'd feel this could confuse people so I personally wouldn't use them. Looks sort of cool, but you're not Tron!

[rmurphy195]

Regardless of the law, I'd feel this could confuse people so I personally wouldn't use them. Looks sort of cool, but you're not Tron!

+1

[Brucey]

Hi

my understanding is that all these things are illegal.

Screen washer nozzles and lorry marker lights
Under chassis lighting...

well both of those say 'may be illegal' rather than 'definitely legal' or 'definitely not legal'.

I have heard of yoofs with such things fitted being pulled on a regular basis; please correct me if I am wrong here but if a policeman issues you with a FPN you have the choice to cough up or go to court, even if the thing has been issued in error. Most people take the former option just for the sake of a simple life, but in effect a basic principle of British justice is thereby subverted; you may as well be 'guilty until proven innocent' in this event.

A local car accessory shop to me used to sell such things but quit doing so when their customers complained that they were getting 'unwanted attention' of this sort.

This
http://www.norfolk.police.uk/safetyadvice/roadsafety/advicetoroadusers/howlegalisyourvehicle.aspx
and this
http://www.ukpoliceonline.co.uk/index.php?/topic/24961-blue-lights-on-cars/

both suggest that carrying blue lights (and reflectors) by normal folk on their cars is basically illegal, but.... in the 'exclusions' appears to be 'pedal cycles'....

Now I've not got to the bottom of this by any means but it may be that it is verboten (but not always enforced) for other vehicles, but that there might be a loophole for pedal cycles....

cheers