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The RVLR 89 (and amendments) describe (in schedule 20) the angles of visibility as:
"Such that the reflector on the leading edge of each pedal is plainly visible to the front and the reflector on the trailing edge of each pedal is plainly visible to the rear".
It does not specify to the rear of the bicycle, so I think that 'rear of the pedal' could easily be assumed.
So I can obscure up my numberplate so long as it's still visible from the rear of the numberplate, just not from the rear of the car?
Wishing it were so, but I suspect that's not how it would be interpreted.
It would be handy for recumbents since you could easily have reflectors visible from the rear of the pedal, even if (as in Arellcat's case) the pedals are inside a shell...
I know there's a general view of the 'law is an ass', but honestly, I think anyone who was ticketed about this and then wanted to challenge it would end up in court saying "Yes, I didn't have pedal reflectors, but I had two lights on the front, two on the back, a reflectively striped jacket, a reflector on the back, and a giant tiger on my back rack dressed in a ra-ra skirt" and sense would prevail.
I think this is something of nothing. Yes, the law is being changed to allow PCSOs to ticket people, but (I've not read the actual new law) is it a general 'PCSOs can now ticket people for this range of offences' or only granting them the powers for pedal reflectors?
If it's the former I'd expect this is simply to take the pressure off the police and they will ticket people for the same things the police used to, and would do if they had the resources, and... the police never used to ticket for this.
Dave - no, there is specific number plate legislation [Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001].
The RLVR 89 does make specific mention of of the obscuration of the mandated rear reflector and rear lights but does not explicitly mention pedal reflectors in this section. I would stand by the interpretation that the pedal reflectors do not have to be seen from behind the bike, if the pedals can not be seen from behind the bike - there is no requirement in law that this is the case.
No reflectors on either of my bikes, anyway they'd need to catch me first to fine me
@adamthekiwi - thanks, I've learned something new.
I remain unconvinced by your interpretation I'm afraid. It seems bizarre to add a requirement that the pedals can be seen from front and back but not take that to mean front and back of the bike.
Perhaps we'll see this tested soon, going by the OP?
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