Reflective Pannier Decals...again

[jonkawasaki]

Hi folks

I've seen the thread(s) about the reflective pannier decals available from the US - the red set apparently looks shite and the white illegal.

Got me thinking - what about the chevron style ones seen on police bikes etc?  I admit they have a police look about them, but as far as I can make out they're not illegal for private vehicles...and I'd rather been seen!

Sent a quick email to bluelit enquiring about such an idea.  Will let you folks know the outcome. I'm not sure they will supply to individuals but worth a quick email!

Jon 

[Kwikasfuki]

Are the white illegal? They are only white when light shines on them. Otherwise they appear as black.

I see plenty of lorries on the roads that reflect white.

[jonkawasaki]

Sorry should have been more specific...I meant white without light shining on them.  Black is fine   

[Kwikasfuki]

Its a dull white that gets reflected. I can't see why you'd get stopped for them.

Having said that, last week I encountered the only copper that believed if you overtook him @ 70mph on the motorway, he had a God given right to overtake and pullup alongside you just to give the "don't  with me" look.

[jonkawasaki]

Its the unmarked cars you want to look out for.  They are everywhere! I live round the corner from our local police station.  I saw 4 unmarked BMW 3 series come out one after the other.

[Kwikasfuki]

Shhhhh. Walls have ears on this Forum 

[Winston Smith]

WHite reflectives are illegal.

It's an offence to show a red light to the front or anything other than a red light to the rear.

This includes reflective surfaces that appear like a light.

Reflective red chevrons are quite legal.

[Stephen.Stallebrass]

On my BMW F800GS hard Zega Pro panniers I use a strip of 3M Diamond Grade Red Reflective Tape, it's ECE 104 Approved Marking Tape. I got 5cm x 1m from eBay priced @ £5.35 with FREE postage. It's super bright when the light hits it. Not decided yet whether I'll put any on my GTR1400 panniers.


An old photo of one of my panniers when it was virgin, now covered in stickers...


Insanely bright!

[charlie mac]

<snip>
It's an offence to show a red light to the front or anything other than a red light to the rear.
This includes reflective surfaces that appear like a light.
<snip>

Just a question, not posing an argument.

What about the amber/yellow turn signals on the rear of the bike?

[Boomer]

Amber turn signals make more sense than the red ones sometimes used in the USA.
When you turn the signal on it stands out more.
A red turn signal could lead you to think someone is braking if the other bulb was busted.
Here is my bike with the red reflector pack fitted.
Yes, I have replaced the Bazooka launcher with a 2Bros exhaust since that pic was taken.

[Winston Smith]

Regulation 1 1(2) Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989

No vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp or retro reflective material capable of showing any light to the rear other than a red light except:-

Amber - Direction indicator or side marker lamp

(several exemptions such as emergency vehicles / hazard chemical/ yellow/blue reflective of number plate etc)

[Gonome]

This is my setup copied/stolen from Debs.

[charlie mac]

Wonder if there are issues riding there with Italy plates and white rear panels?

[Lonewolf]

Whatever Winston says is what I would say if I could remember half of what I was taught. 

He is the oracle! 

[jonkawasaki]

This is my setup copied/stolen from Debs.

Two observations:

1) Is that the rear custom mudguard available from one of our members?

2) Red reflectors look good - did you cut them yourself?