[SDCBC] New Law on Bicycle Lights

[Thomas Reynolds]

Shimano makes an insert that goes into one side of their double sided
SPD pedals.  Many bike shops will give them to you for free since that
end up taking them off of new bikes.  I use these on my commuter bike,
just to be in compliance with the now-superseded law.

Tom

On Dec 31, 2007 11:23 PM, Steve McNeil <smcneil2 at san.rr.com> 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. Here s 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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