Night riding

[ScottS]

With the time change, it's time to get out your lights. Here are the laws according to the California Vehicle Code:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21201.htm
(d) Every bicycle operated upon any highway during darkness shall be equipped (1) with a lamp emitting a white light which, while the bicycle is in motion, illuminates the highway in front of the bicyclist and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the bicycle; (2) with a red reflector on the rear which shall be visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle; (3) with a white or yellow reflector on each pedal visible from the front and rear of the bicycle from a distance of 200 feet; and (4) with a white or yellow reflector on each side forward of the center of the bicycle, and with a white or red reflector on each side to the rear of the center of the bicycle, except that bicycles which are equipped with reflectorized tires on the front and the rear need not be equipped with these side reflectors. Such reflectors and reflectorized tires shall be of a type meeting requirements established by the department.

(e) A lamp or lamp combination, emitting a white light, attached to the operator and visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the bicycle, may be used in lieu of the lamp required by clause (1) of subdivision (d).

and

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21201_3.htm
21201.3.  (a) A bicycle or motorized bicycle used by a peace officer, as defined in Section 830.1 of, subdivision (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (i) of Section 830.2 of, subdivision (b) or (d) of Section 830.31 of, subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 830.32 of, Section 830.33 of, subdivision (a) of Section 830.36 of, subdivision (a) of Section 830.4 of, or Section 830.6 of, the Penal Code, in the performance of the peace officer's duties, may display a steady or flashing blue warning light that is visible from the front, sides, or rear of the bicycle or motorized bicycle.

(b) No person shall display a steady or flashing blue warning light on a bicycle or motorized bicycle except as authorized under subdivision (a).

------------

Even though the law doesn't require it, for safety (isn't that what it's really about?) I use a rear light rather than relying on a reflectorhttp://. I'd argue that my ankle reflectors are even more effective than pedal reflectors, since they're also visible from the sides, so I should be legal in that respect. Additionally, I use velcro spoke reflectors, I wear light colored gloves so hand signals are more visible and usually have a relective "Slow Moving Vehicle" sign attached to my backpack.

I find the first weekday evening commute after the time change (tonight) is really dangerous. It's feels like the car drivers haven't adjusted to the time change so they're all in a panic and mad rush mode because it feels like they're running late getting home.

Ride safe out there.

-ss

[Gern]

Ya the pedals part get me, My SPD's no tiene Reflectorizatione. I'll get ankle reflectors/  I just bought some spoke reflectors ($4 each from the BikeRoWave) with LED's so I expect some cool side lights while satisfying the side reflectors with the over zealous Polizi...

[projektx]

Thanks for the info. I've been thinking of a SMV sign, but so far I've only come across stickers and metal signs. Any idea where to get a nylon one? I'm googling to no avail...

[ScottS]

Thanks for the info. I've been thinking of a SMV sign, but so far I've only come across stickers and metal signs. Any idea where to get a nylon one? I'm googling to no avail...

Here's the one I use. Kinda dorky, I know, but highly visible.

http://jogalite.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.productone&product=62

Most shops don't carry it, so it would be a special order item.

-ss

[projektx]

Nice! Thanks Scott, kinda dorky is perfect.

Looks like TeamEstrogen.com comes thru with the best online price, although I not sure I'm qualified to order from them:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=4140&utm_source=gbase&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=4140&utm_campaign=gbase_feed

[Art]

With the time change, it's time to get out your lights. Here are the laws according to the California Vehicle Code:


Yes !  Thank you very much for posting this, Scott. 
I needed a 'refresher' on what exactly the current law of the road is.

--Art

PS -- I'm going to see about bringing in some peel-n-stick reflective stuff we can all use to 'juice-up' our reflectivity.

[david_f]

...
Here's the one I use. Kinda dorky, I know, but highly visible.

http://jogalite.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.productone&product=62

Most shops don't carry it, so it would be a special order item.

-ss

Dorky isn't bad, not to mention the gaudy colours.  As long as it gets their attention.
You mentioned gloves. does any one make reflective gloves? Sleeves? I give a lot of hand signals ya know, and black gloves don't cut it at night.

Do we carry any of this stuff?
That jogalight gear is made in America! We still make something! Wahoo!


david

[Art]

REFLECTION In Da House !

I went to the trouble of hooking us all up with a couple of boxes of some very nice Peel-N-Stick Reflective letters n' numbers. 

They're super light for all the weight-weenies, and if you're lucky you can even spell somethin' - out with a few !

The deal I got with my hardware store buddy was that I take a big batch of odd, mixed, incomplete letter-sets, so you may not find the entire alphabet or all the numerals, but they WORK !

Plus, all you creative type people could have a field-day using them to make fun designs, etc.

Enjoy...

[projektx]

To illustrate the effectiveness of good lighting and reflection, here is a photo I took tonite while driving stinky car on pch. Can anyone identity the biker in this picture?

[yoli]

oh, gee.....

that sure is a tough one!
can anyone think of a single biker in l.a. that would wear a dorky triangle on their back?

gosh, and look at the blue light... that makes it real hard to narrow down.


*cough, cough* (scot sing) *cough, cough...*

[david_f]

To illustrate the effectiveness of good lighting and reflection, here is a photo I took tonite while driving stinky car on pch. Can anyone identity the biker in this picture?

A blue light?
Does that mean that's a cop?
Scott's a cop!?

[projektx]

The blue light is what made me do a double take in the first place. I saw him and I was thinking "hey I thought scotts post said blue lights were only for cops" (because all I can think about is getting a blue light since I read his post) then it was "omg that IS Scott!".

[Louise]

If I were to ride on PCH, I'd want to get ALL the lights I can fit on my bike.  That road is dangerous!

[Alex C]

i might just have the most lights. ever. period.

[ScottS]

To illustrate the effectiveness of good lighting and reflection, here is a photo I took tonite while driving stinky car on pch. Can anyone identity the biker in this picture?

A blue light?
Does that mean that's a cop?
Scott's a cop!?

Busted damnit!

Yeah, that's me. I purposely didn't mention the blue light in my original post because it IS illegal. I don't use it all the time, mostly when I'm coming down PCH at night. With the cars going so much faster than me, I want to be as visible as possible and feel that the blue light stands out much better from the sea of white, yellow and red lights out there (exactly why it's reserved for cops). I'll continue to use it until I get a ticket and then will fight it in court if need be.

I should mention that the rear light I use is made by Dinotte. It's so damn bright, I call it my PCH Light.

http://www.dinottelighting.com

-ss