CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Spokes - illuminated and Hi Viz tape

(18 posts)
  • Started 14 years ago by markroy
  • Latest reply from spytfyre
  • This topic is resolved

  1. markroy
    Member

    Hi Everyone,

    First time posting hope someone out there can help clear this up.

    Trying to be more visible while cycling.

    Its a sort of two questions.

    I have seen stuff on the net that allows the spokes to be lit up with the use of an led light.

    Is this actualy legal in this country.

    I am thinking a red light would be handy as seen from the side its like two large red circles.

    However I have seen blue led lights are these illegal?

    If I put lots of Hi viz tape on the bike frame.

    Are certain colours frowned upon.

    Thanks

    Mark

    Posted 14 years ago #

  2. chdot
    Admin

    Welcome

    I'm sure you'll get a legal answer, and different views about 'being seen' and 'being visible but not seen'!

    Are you new to Edinburgh too?

    Posted 14 years ago #

  3. markroy
    Member

    Hi chdot,

    thanks for the prompt reply.

    I really like this website.

    I have lived in Edinburgh for a while, just new to the cycling side.

    A regular gym user hoping to lose a few pounds by cycling around town more.

    Cheers

    Posted 14 years ago #

  4. recombodna
    Member

    Welcome. Can't find anything on the legalities of tape colour or flashing wheel lights but here's an interesting bike light link
    http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4071

    Posted 14 years ago #

  5. Arellcat
    Moderator

    The general rule according to the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations for lights and reflectors is white at the front, red at the back, and amber or yellow to the sides. Any blue lights must not flash, though I'm not sure what the purpose of blue would be if not to impersonate The Law.

    Most good tyres these days have a reflective band around the sidewalls, but some squares of reflective tape stuck to the rim between five or ten adjacent spokes will help show wheel rotation in headlights and doesn't put your wheels out of balance. The edges of your cranks are also good places to stick red and white reflective tape.

    Generally speaking, make yourself visible to distant headlights using good reflectives, and make yourself visible to nearby eyeballs using good assertive riding technique.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  6. SRD
    Moderator

    "A regular gym user hoping to lose a few pounds by cycling around town more."

    Good for you!

    "I really like this website."

    well, you'll already have figured out that we're all a bit silly...

    welcome indeed. i like the lit up spokes too. there was a guy who put christmas lights on his frame last december - definitely increased visibility!

    Posted 14 years ago #

  7. chdot
    Admin

    "all"

    ??

    Posted 14 years ago #

  8. Smudge
    Member

    @chdot, yes, all ;-) :-D

    Posted 14 years ago #

  9. chdot
    Admin

    "bit"

    ??

    Posted 14 years ago #

  10. Kim
    Member

    The only way to be really visible is ride in the drivers sight line, to which end I would suggest that you read a copy of Cyclecraft. While plastering your bike in "good reflectives" maybe useful to for reflective the light of headlamps, if the driver is looking, I personally feel there is no substitute for a decent set of lights.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  11. Dave
    Member

    The obvious point to make is that reflectives won't make any difference for about the next six months, till the clocks go back (unless you like to ride extremely early, or late at night).

    To be honest I think there must be very few crashes where the driver looked at the cyclist but couldn't see them, yet if they'd had something on their spokes it would all have been OK, but if they make you happier and more confident riding in traffic, there is not much reason not to (you are incredibly unlikely to be stopped by the police for having extra visibility aids that are dubiously legal - I saw people all the time last winter with front lights on the back or vice versa, who'd clearly been ignored)

    Posted 14 years ago #

  12. markroy
    Member

    Hi all

    Amazing fast response, great answers.

    @Arellcat
    The blue light would give the effect similar to a futuristic bike like out of the films Akira or Tron.

    Not trying to impersonate The Law.

    It probably would make more people aware if they see a blue light at the corner of their eyes.

    The lights would make the bike highly visible from a side on view.

    I guess from watching shows that pimp their rides, interested in whats okay and not over the top or tacky.

    @Everyone thanks for the emails and great info.

    Cheers

    Posted 14 years ago #

  13. Min
    Member

    I once read something (can't remember where now) where someone admitted to putting a flashing blue light on their helmet and found that drivers are REALLY careful around them and give them loads of room. I expect the police would take a dim view though. ;-)

    I suspect Dave is right in that you are very unlikely to be stopped for having something which might not technically be legal-except perhaps a flashing blue light..

    Personally I go for a steady front and rear light and ankle reflectors (after a motorist friend saw me wearing them once and said they were brilliant). I also like to have something reflective on my hands or wrists to make hand signals at roundabouts clear. I feel every bit as visible as during the day with this set up. In fact one time I managed to ride quite a long way having forgotten to switch my front light on, I only noticed when one motorist did a sort of double take. Everyone so far had seen me easily even without the light. I don't recommend it though!

    Posted 14 years ago #

  14. Kim
    Member

    @ Min: I have also seen stories about people using flashing blue lights on their bikes and drivers making way for them, but this behaviour is not to be encouraged.

    The Use of blue lights (or anything that looks like a blue flashing light, whether working or not) is reserved for emergency vehicle under the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations, for a good reason.

    You can however have reflectors on a wheel of a bicycle of any colour.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  15. spytfyre
    Member

    I saw a type of valve cap that lit up when the wheel was spinning - made the wheel a circle of light when running
    Here
    same things here

    Posted 14 years ago #

  16. markroy
    Member

    Hi spytfyre

    Thats exactly what I was on about just didn't want to put any links just in case.

    Nice adding a little bling. Thought it was a pretty good idea.

    Not really seen anyone with lights on their bicycles.

    Thought it would add a little something something. :-)

    Posted 14 years ago #

  17. ravenbait
    Member

    I have won the Close Encounters award for "bike that most looks like a deep sea plankton" on the Dumb Run for 3 years in a row (and the Dun Run before that).
    Dumb Run 2009.

    It was decked out like that most of this past winter, as well!

    Posted 14 years ago #

  18. spytfyre
    Member

    Some reflective tape shenanigans

    Posted 14 years ago #

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