[SDCBC] New Law on Bicycle Lights

[Steve McNeil]

Does anyone know of a reflector that would attached to my Shimano clipless
pedals?  Most of the ones that reflectors could be attached to are not any
of the clipless ones.  And regarding "relectorized tires", tha last I heard
was that none of them would be acceptable to the police or Highway Patrol.

--Steve McNeil.
  -----Original Message-----
  From: sdcbc-bounces at bikesandiego.org
[mailto:sdcbc-bounces at bikesandiego.org]On Behalf Of Jim Baross
  Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2007 2:18 PM
  To: sdcbc at bikesandiego.org
  Cc: caboforum at topica.com
  Subject: Re: [SDCBC] New Law on Bicycle Lights


  The present, soon to be old, law required, "Every bicycle operated upon
any highway during darkness ..." to be properly equipped, per CVC 21201(d),
. A "highway" for CVC purposes does however include the whole right of way
including Bike Lanes and sidewalks, but strictly speaking does not include
Bike Paths separate from the roadway/highway; another indication that Bike
Paths are not considered regular transportation facilities as they should
be, IMHO. :-(

  Though we, CBC and CABO (and others?), worked to bring along additional
changes to the original idea brought forward by Sac Sheriffs - to include
Bike Paths and sidewalks in the law - the pedal reflector change will help
more people to meet minimum legal requirements w/less effort.

  There certainly are other CVC changes that would benefit us, but working
through the legislature is very tricky. More resources - your participation,
donations and memberships - help us protect and promote improvements for
bicycling. [Also, your continued efforts to be legal and courteous though
assertive bicyclists certainly help!]

  Congrats that we got something improved.

  Bike Equipment - Lights, Reflectors, Brakes, Handlebars & Frame Size
(Modified 01/01/2008)  21201.
  -- snip --
     (d) A bicycle operated during darkness upon a highway, a sidewalk where
bicycle operation is not prohibited by the local jurisdiction, or a bikeway,
as defined in Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code, shall be
equipped with all of the following:
     (1) A lamp emitting a white light that, while the bicycle is in motion,
illuminates the highway, sidewalk, or bikeway in front of the bicyclist and
is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the
bicycle.
     (2) A red reflector on the rear that 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) A white or yellow reflector on each pedal, shoe, or ankle visible
from the front and rear of the bicycle from a distance of 200 feet.
     (4) A white or yellow reflector on each side forward of the center of
the bicycle, and a white or red reflector on each side to the rear of the
center of the bicycle, except that bicycles that are equipped with
reflectorized tires on the front and the rear need not be equipped with
these side reflectors.
     The 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 paragraph (1) of
subdivision (d).

  Happy New Year!
  Jim B

  At 12:03 AM 12/30/2007, Stephan Vance wrote:

    Beginning with the new year, California law will require bicyclists to
use proper lights when riding on bike paths at night. Heres a story from
Sacramento Bee.

    Stephan Vance



    It's the Law: Bike mantra: If it's night, use a light



    Law clarifies standards so police can issue citations.



    By Kevin Yamamura - kyamamura at sacbee.com


    Published 12:00 am PST Friday, December 28, 2007
    Story appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A3

    One in a series of reports on new laws that take effect Jan. 1.

    Lea Brooks routinely passes cyclists riding without lights when she
bike-commutes along the American River Parkway from downtown to her Gold
River home after work.

    "It's very dangerous," she said. "Imagine if you were driving your car
and you saw a vehicle with its lights off. It's very dark out there, and if
cyclists have dark clothing on, you really cannot see them. They blend into
the shadows."

    If a new state law proves effective, that could change.

    Starting Tuesday, cyclists riding on bikeways and sidewalks at night
will be required to use a headlight, as well as rear and side reflectors,
under a law passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger this year.

    Before Assembly Bill 478 was signed, state law was ambiguous as to
whether cyclists riding on off-road paths such as the American River Parkway
or greenbelts in Davis were required to use lights at night.

    The measure allows law enforcement to ticket cyclists riding without
lights on such bikeways or on sidewalks in cities that allow cyclists to
ride on sidewalks.

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