Complies with RVLR

[axel_knutt]

So what does that mean, are they legal or aren't they?

http://www.ctcshop.com/product.jsp?style=13879

http://www.ctcshop.com/product.jsp?style=13881

http://www.ctcshop.com/product.jsp?style=13882

[Mick F]

In a nutshell (or is it knutt-shell?) flashing lights are legal for cycles.

See:
www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_road ... 12441.hcsp

BUT: The Highway Code and laws about lighting on vehicles (Remember a pedal cycle is a vehicle) haven't caught up yet, and say that you must have "steady" lights.

Mick F. Cornwall

[axel_knutt]

"In a nutshell (or is it knutt-shell?) flashing lights are legal for cycles."

Not true, if you read your own reference it says this:

"If either of the lights is capable of emitting a steady light, then it must conform to BS 6102-3 and be marked accordingly, even if used in flashing mode. "

Or try this:

If capable of emitting a steady light it must be marked as conforming to BS6102/3 or an equivalent EC standard. If capable of emitting only a flashing light, it must emit at least 4 candela.

(From here: http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4071)

"Complies with RVLR" seems a curiously glib phrase, given the muddled state of the law and the well informed state of the CTC.
I'm assuming that someone has looked at these lights and decided that they're legal on the basis of an overiding European spec., but who, on what authority, and which spec? The Cateye site mentions no conformity to any specs at all for these lights.

[Mick F]

You have me there!

It only goes to show that the lighting laws for bikes are very much in a state of flux. Hopefully, and I say, hopefully, things'll settle down.

What is written on the lenses of the Cateye lights? Aren't they suposed to have the BS number on them?

If not - they're illegal lights. No ifs or buts.

I own an elderly bottom bracket dynamo set, they have BS6102/3 on them - I've just checked, even an old Ever Ready battery lamp I have tucked away has it.

Mick F. Cornwall

[horizon]

This may have been answered before, but why are bikes not required to have an amber/orange flashing light back and front as are other slow moving vehicles such as tractors and milk floats?

(I know, we aren't slow moving....but apart from that.)

A combination of (or adjacent) red and amber flashing would be a good signal.

[stefsmif]

Another related question,

are horses required to have lights when ridden on public roads and paths ?

Around my neck of the world I keep meeting horses and riders who moan that my lights are dazzling their steeds but I dont spot them until I'm quite close. Maybe I need better lights but I wish they were better iluminated.

Cheers

[AHB]

I want flashing amber should be kept for
bicycle turn indicators (like mine).

cycles are now allowed flashing white and red lamps although all the off the ones seem to need an additional approved lamp to be legal.

[thirdcrank]

The illogicalities/ inconsistencies of the new regs were pointed out by CJ some time ago in the CTC mag but I cannot find it now. It is also explained on p 107 of Cycling + for Nov 2006.

(Horses do not need lights because they are not vehicles.)

[axel_knutt]

"What is written on the lenses of the Cateye lights? Aren't they suposed to have the BS number on them?

If not - they're illegal lights. No ifs or buts."

No, not necessarily. I don't know what's on the lights, I haven't seen one, but they don't conform to BS unless they're durably marked with the BS no. (See BS 6102/3 para. 11.1(c))

But a non-BS light is legal, so long as it doesn't have a continous mode, and does have a flash rate of 1Hz to 4Hz and a brightness of at least 4cd.

Furthermore, I've seen CJ argue on more than one occasion that a light will be legal if it conforms to a relevant European spec.

It's this that makes me wonder about the lights in the CTC shop. Has someone dug out a European spec. that these lights conform to, and if so why isn't it in the data on the Cateye website? It seems odd that the CTC would be so cavalier as to claim these lights are legal if they aren't.

[axel_knutt]

Have you seen this:-


http://www.cyclingplus.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=115004

"It's not the CTC who are making any "meets RVLR" claim, but Evans Cycles, who have the CTC shop franchise at the moment. "

I've just emailed them, so we'll see what they say.

[axel_knutt]

"are horses required to have lights when ridden on public roads and paths ?"

Yes, but it's a bit messy getting the batteries in and out.
(See James Herriot for further advice.)

[dai]

If they had them for horses would they flash or be steedy? I should think anything with batteries or a filament near a horses ars* would be a fire hazard.

[stinningspan]

I don't suppose they'd need a charger either.

[Mick F]

I agree with you, Axel, let's get to the bottom of this thing. BS, or not BS.

Bicycle lights are either legal, or illegal.

I know, as all of us do, that the police don't do, or even know anything about bike lights. (Let alone the laws on cycling on pavements!)

At least WE can know who's right and who's wrong!

Mick F. Cornwall

[thirdcrank]

In the current edition of the CTC mag somebody has raised a Q about flashing blue bike lamps currently being advertised by Argos. The CTC's resident legal eagle points out that these are permitted on cycles. They are not motor vehicles.) The inquirer did not mention that these are advertised as rear lamps. I am pretty sure they are illegal pointing backwards on any vehicle.

Previously, I have been pretty scornful of the Department for Transport resisting the use of flashing LEDs on cycles in case they were confused with emergency vehicles. If Sir Humphrey does his shopping at Argos rather than Fortnum and Masons he may be saying, "I did warn you, minister."