[SDCBC] New Law on Bicycle Lights

[Gene Carman]

How about reflectorized shoes?  Do they work well enough?  All of my 
biking shoes have built in reflector areas...  so I don't worry about 
the pedals.  You may have to shop a bit to find suitable shoes.

At 11:23 PM 12/31/2007, Steve McNeil wrote:
>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 - <mailto:kyamamura at sacbee.com>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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