Legal lighting?

PHcp

The review of the Sigma lights
http://www.bikeradar.com/commuting/news ... igma-12336
Says “the lack of a side lens means that if run on their own they would not be strictly street legal in some countries such as the UK”
It’s a new one to me, anybody know anything about it?

whyamihere

True. Your lights are supposed to be visible for 180 degrees, legally. In reality, you're very unlikely to get stopped for not being visible for the whole range, but it might be worth getting a cheap LED light which meets the correct standards for about £5 and having that along side your proper lights.

Yellow Cliff

For use int he UK lights should be marked with BS6102/3, or be at least 4 candela if capable of only producing a flashing light.

Details are here:
http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4071

The 180 degree thing does make sense, but without the BS marking a light isn't strictly "legal" anyway.

Very few lights in the UK meet the British Standards, which is a massive problem. I have some British Standard lights front and rear, which I use as backup lights for my main ones (they aren't as bright) just in case I am involved in an accident - I don't want there to be any possibility of my lights being cited as a possible contributory factor.

campagsarge

...I think you have to have reflectors on your pedals as well to be road legal in the UK...

see rule 46:

http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/03.htm

PHcp

whyamihere wrote:

True. Your lights are supposed to be visible for 180 degrees, legally.

OK, but what law?

Monty Dog

The law is the Road Traffic Act, which proably states that bike lights have to comply with BS blah-blah. IMO the British Standard is an anachronism that was created by an industry as an act of self-preservation rather than concerned about safety - they dragged their feet on LED's for years. Technology is moving far faster than any standard - get the brightest lights you can afford rather than what the sticker says - I'd rather be seen and alive than dead and 'legal'. I've got some Dinottes - compact, powerful and probably don't comply - but drivers know I'm coming.

PHcp

Monty Dog wrote:

The law is the Road Traffic Act, which proably states that bike lights have to comply with BS blah-blah.

No it isn't, Vehicle lighting is covered by the The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989.
With no mention of side lenses, or viewing angles for bicycles.
The rest of your post I'd entirley agree with. The lighting regulations are confusing enough without Bikeradar making claims that don't seem to have any foundation.

Yellow Cliff

I agree that the British Standards are out of date and don't actually reflect what the best lights are, but for the small cost of secondary lights that meet the requirements (I have found a pair for £15, all LED, reasonable battery life, Eurolight) I don't mind meeting the BS too much. Granted I'd rather have better secondary/backup lights, but they serve a purpose - I always like to have a second set on in case of failure.

aracer

I've always imagined the idea of standing in a court room with a driver's insurance company trying to argue that not having BS lighting is contributory negligence, getting the court lights turned off and then demonstrating in turn the high powered lights I use and a BS neverready. I wonder what judge or jury would possibly consider that it would be easier to see you with a BS light.

webbhost

Im pretty sure my newly purchased pedals contain absolutely no reflectors (These are the ones which you clip the cycling shoes into)..

Does that make them illegal?

aracer

For riding at night, yes.

Pedals are actually one of the more useful places to have reflectors as the movement helps to catch the eye, but personally I reckon I'm covered as both my shoes and overshoes have reflective bits on the back. Should probably put some reflective tape on the front in order not to fall foul of the spirit if not the letter of the law - don't think anybody has EVER been done for not having pedal reflectors, but a sharp lawyer could probably get you for partial liability if you don't have anything reflective in that area.

cougie

My dinotte has a lens right round the front that does put out some light so its prob legal from that point of view.

I dont take chances at night though - JJB do the hi viz reflective mesh jackets for about £4. Bung one of those on, and some tyreflys for £3 off ebay. Add as much reflective tape as you can to the bike and at least two rear lights in case one goes out. Should work a treat, and I've never been stopped.