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Where does one buy BS6102/2-compliant reflectors?

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  1. Yodhrin
    Member

    So I had a fun experience the other evening when a plod with apparently nothing better to do indicated I should pull over and have a chat with him - apparently my bike is illegal after dark since it lacks pedal reflectors(nevermind all the other ones, the built-in lights, the blinking lights, the reflector mudguards etc). He indicated I should be very grateful to him for only giving me an off the record warning rather than immediately seizing such a dangerous vehicle, and in that spirit I waited a full ten seconds after his back was turned to give him the finger.

    Unfortunately subsequent investigation has left me a bit confused as to exactly what the biscuits I'm meant to do about it? The legislation mandates four amber reflectors, affixed one front one rear to both peddles, which must be clearly visible, and which must be physically stamped as being BS6102/2-compliant. Setting aside that figuring out how to attach anything to the style of pedals I have will be a fun puzzle, and that even if I did I'm pretty sure the rear ones would fail on "clearly visible" the moment I put my foot on them, the primary issue seems to be that I can't find clip-ons, bolt-ons, new pedals with built-in reflectors, or even just loose amber reflectors that state they meet the standard and are marked as such. Any ideas?

    Posted 3 years ago #

  2. Frenchy
    Member

    If it were me, I'd consider investing the time in complaining to higher up police officers instead.

    Posted 3 years ago #

  3. crowriver
    Member

    @Frenchy, not sure that's good advice. The higher ups will get the rule book out and throw it at OP.

    @Yodhrin, pretty sure I bought (cage style) pedals and the amber reflectors came in a separate bag, just clipped into the cages. Can probably pick up the reflectors on fleaBay for not much.

    Just checked and sets of four can be had for 3 or 4 quid. Your LBS may have some available too if you're not a fleaBay fan.

    Posted 3 years ago #

  4. Frenchy
    Member

    Fair point. Politicians might be a better option.

    Posted 3 years ago #

  5. ejstubbs
    Member

    I have some amber pedal reflectors that I've removed from various pedals/bikes over the past few years. All of them actually do carry the "BS 6102/2" (or, in one case "BS 6102-2") stamp - in characters 1.5mm tall, on the face of the reflector with the reflective facets behind them so the only way you can actually see they are there is to hold the reflector quite close, at precisely the correct angle, under a strong single light source - not easy to find during a night-time stop, I would suspect (and they're not required during daylight hours).

    One type of BS-marked reflector that I have carries the legend "CATEYE RR-1". These do seem to be available on the bay of E, but only from the US at exorbitant cost. (Which makes me think that the requirement might have originated in the US and been replicated here by some ignorant but over-zealous personage at the DfT, or one of its predecessors, with little further thought as to its actual usefulness).

    As you say, it's not particularly practical to fit the solid rectangular ones to most clipless pedals - they're more designed for old skool cage type pedals and the like (though I note that one model of Wellgo platform pedal does come with reflectors). I have in the past put yellow reflective self-adhesive tape on the clipless pedals of bikes that I expected to be riding around town outside of the hours of daylight. Googling "3M Diamond Grade Reflective Tape" (or searching for it on eBay) should find it. It's fairly easy to fix to pedals and does seem to stay put, though I doubt it would fool a police officer who was feeling an urgent need to make your life unnecessarily difficult.

    If you fancy having a go at fitting the rigid rectangular ones to your pedals then I could probably spare you some from my "might come in useful one day" collection.

    Posted 3 years ago #

  6. Greenroofer
    Member

    Annoying, isn't it. If you're wanting to be compliant, reflective tape won't cut it.
    https://www.cyclinguk.org/cycle/reflectors-clipless

    https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/pedals-cleats/shimano-105-spdsl-pd5800-smpd65-reflector-unit-y40r98110/

    I have an earlier version of these. https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/pedals-cleats/shimano-deore-xt-pdt8000-single-sided-spd-clipless-pedals/

    Very good. I didn't pay anything like this much for them though.

    Posted 3 years ago #

  7. chdot
    Admin

    Not forgetting -

    “

    pre-October 1985 cycles don’t need pedal reflectors.

    “

    https://www.bikeradar.com/features/bike-light-laws-in-the-uk-what-you-need-to-know/

    Posted 3 years ago #

  8. Yodhrin
    Member

    Tape isn't really an option anyway, I have these fitted - https://www.dmrbikes.com/Catalogue/Pedals/V6-2/V6 - and I'd quite like to stick with them given prior experience(one of the ones supplied with my gazelle unscrewed itself halfway along the ferry road path a week or so after I got the bike, and one of the all-metal replacements exploded underfoot a few rides after being fitted, so these are the second replacement set Hart's gave me and seem to be standing up to my apparently leaden right foot pretty well after a few months), also I want to be "compliant" in case I run into PC Pedant again.

    I'll just have to faff about with cutting some chunky nylon washers at an angle, going back and looking carefully at some of the results I note one does kinda sorta look like it has lettering on it in one of the shots right enough @ejstubbs, so thanks for the offer but I'll just order that one since it has integrated adjustable bolts.

    As to complaining about the copper - eh, it's not worth the bother really.

    Posted 3 years ago #

  9. Dave
    Member

    They also need to be visible from the rear, which means you can't use panniers at night as they obscure the reflectors for most of the pedal rotation.

    I must say this is the first time I can recall anyone complaining about this (other than people stopped because they had no lights at all). Both of us have commuted for 15 years without pedal reflectors year round.

    If your bike looks suitably ragged you could potentially try claiming it's pre-1985?

    Posted 3 years ago #

  10. LaidBack
    Member

    SpD pedals then are illegal?
    I do use basic flat pedals with refectors - the front ones pop out to fit toe straps for recumbent trikes. System X, Raleigh or such.
    Front and rear reflectors are legal requirements along with bell.
    There is a minimum height for front reflector probably but on reclined model that's hard to achieve.

    Worrying story well told @Yodhrin

    Posted 3 years ago #

  11. chdot
    Admin

    “legal requirements along with bell”

    I think bell is (still) only an obligation at point of sale.

    I.e. retailer has to provide, but new owner doesn’t have to keep.

    Posted 3 years ago #

  12. neddie
    Member

    Meanwhile, I imagine 100s of cars passed you with faulty brake lights, headlights, tyres, etc.

    And just wait until we get the "port hole in frosted windscreens" look

    Posted 3 years ago #

  13. Dave
    Member

    Recumbents are interesting because even if you put on completely legal ordinary flat pedals, the reflector isn't visible from the rear (or the front!) so it's not legal. I actually put 3M reflective tape on the bottoms of my shoes back in the audax days (road shoes, so no rubber on the bottom).

    This is one of these cases where the law's an ass - like when it prevented LED lights because it said 'bulb' (and of course, LEDs are not bulbs but rather diodes)

    Posted 3 years ago #

  14. fimm
    Member

    Yes, I think the requirement for pedal reflectors was added to the law just as clipless pedals were becoming popular among ordinary cyclists.

    I do find Yodhrin's story worrying.

    I wear reflective ankle bands when I'm riding my road bike with SPDs in the dark on the basis that this conforms to the spirit if not the letter of the law. Mind you, you can't see my right foot from the rear anyway if I'm using my pannier (which I usually am if I'm riding in the dark because I'm likely doing my long commute).

    I've understood that if you are in general well lit and visible, then you shouldn't have a problem with clipless pedals (just like if you are riding cautiously and considerately on the pavement next to a fast and busy road you should be OK, see quote from whichever politician it was).

    Posted 3 years ago #

  15. Murun Buchstansangur
    Member

    "I think bell is (still) only an obligation at point of sale"

    I agree, but I don't think any new adult or kid's bike I've ever bought (including those bought in bricks and mortar shops) has had one.

    Posted 3 years ago #

  16. ejstubbs
    Member

    The last time I bought a built-up bike the bell and the reflectors were handed to me separately in an (unopened) plastic bag. I've no idea whether that was complaint with the law but TBH it wasn't my problem.

    I do have a bell on that bike, but not the cheap rubbish barely audible single ping thing so kindly supplied.

    Posted 3 years ago #

  17. Murun Buchstansangur
    Member

    At the extreme risk of pedantry (like Yodhrin's cop), the Shimano SPD-SL reflector kits probably aren't compliant with the letter of the RVL regs as they state under pedal reflectors, "Position–

    (a) Longitudinal:

    On the leading edge and the trailing edge of each pedal"

    Posted 3 years ago #

  18. LaidBack
    Member

    Dutch / European suppliers always provide bell and lights. Big cargo bikes need to be fully equipped - makes sense. Hart's Gazelles will be same.
    UK manufacturers never supply pedals as far as I can see. So you could buy a £6k e-model and you have to supply your own in theory!(although we always include - often SpD or supporting pedals if required).
    The only exception was the famous 'rare' Paper Bicycle as was more European in approach. Pedals with that looked great but were slippy in wet. Think they had reflectors. Big bell was selling point!

    Posted 3 years ago #

  19. Yodhrin
    Member

    Honestly the fact I was on a gazelle was why I was a bit stunned I got a talking to, as you say @LaidBack it has pretty much everything built in to the frame - lights, reflectors, bell built right into the handlebar(I like it as well, can give off a single friendly ping with a half twist, or I can frantically roll it back & forth for a more robust ringing when some numpty steps out without looking :P ). On top of that I have a low intensity flasher on the front and big honkin' mudflaps hanging off the mudguards that are covered in orange reflector material. He must have either been new on the job and still revelling in his authority over plebs, generally anti-cyclist, or just the most ludicrous jobsworth I've ever met.

    Posted 3 years ago #

  20. MediumDave
    Member

    Is this the cop in question?

    (<rule2> tha polis)

    I bodged up a cage for my M454 SPDs to fit reflectors. It fell to bits, as did the official Shimano reflector part for some older M545s. I then decided not to care. I believe there are 3D printed parts out there now that might work better.

    Posted 3 years ago #

  21. MediumDave
    Member

    For example

    https://www.bikeforums.net/electronics-lighting-gadgets/1187984-3d-printed-reflector-holder-mks-urban-platform-pedals.html

    Posted 3 years ago #

  22. LaidBack
    Member

    @Yodhrin - was a Gazelle!. That's even funnier (sorry stressful for you, but I mean in a strange co-incidence way as had just mentioned that brand!). Harts has sold more Gazelles than anyone else anywhere outside of Amsterdam. Must be a solid gold dealer by now!
    Your bike was obviously overequipped and disturbed him! :-)

    Posted 3 years ago #

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