Reflective Pannier Decals...again

[Ant]

Similar to most, work for me,,,,,,i think

[Winston Smith]

Similar to most, work for me,,,,,,i think

Alas - they are not legal...

[Ant]

Alas - they are not legal...

Ah, But I'm exempt....I usually have diet coke in the top box, dangerous for anyone !   

[Lonewolf]

Ah, But I'm exempt....I usually have diet coke in the top box, dangerous for anyone !   

Eh?

[Ant]

In other words, I don't give a monkeys if they are legal or not.........as long as I'm seen, but not too bright so my brake light is still seen...

[Gonome]

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?

Yes and yes.

[BigAlan]

Alas - they are not legal...

As mine are not legal either because i put white facing rear i have now ordered some red, will change them on the panniers this weekend, i don't want either a fine or points.

Alan

[Winston Smith]

The legal rationale behind it is that anything white (either emitting light or retro reflecting it) could appear as if a vehicle were approaching head on.  Therefore it is self defeating placing white reflective on the rear.  By doing so imagine driving in heavy rain for example, seeing the white (particularly through a rain drenched/steamed up visor) trying to work out why something on your side of the road - brain thinks it's approaching (perhaps stationary or slower moving) causing avoidance manoeuvre with potentially lethal results.

[Rusty]

Indeed Whinny is an Oracle and correct in what he says ... obviously .... but in this day and age of the thin blue line getting really thin and working overload ( Yes Steve, that includes DPG !!!!!! ) I could not imagine any rats I know or used to work with who would stop you let alone report or process you for such antics. My view, and yes I am one of those very few left who still uses that dirty word "discretion" ... is that the more bright sparkly reflective lighty stuff you have the better ... common sense must apply !  

[Winston Smith]

Indeed Whinny is an Oracle and correct in what he says ... obviously .... but in this day and age of the thin blue line getting really thin and working overload ( Yes Steve, that includes DPG !!!!!! ) I could not imagine any rats I know or used to work with who would stop you let alone report or process you for such antics. My view, and yes I am one of those very few left who still uses that dirty word "discretion" ... is that the more bright sparkly reflective lighty stuff you have the better ... common sense must apply !  

[jonathan]

The legal rationale behind it is that anything white (either emitting light or retro reflecting it) could appear as if a vehicle were approaching head on.  Therefore it is self defeating placing white reflective on the rear.  By doing so imagine driving in heavy rain for example, seeing the white (particularly through a rain drenched/steamed up visor) trying to work out why something on your side of the road - brain thinks it's approaching (perhaps stationary or slower moving) causing avoidance manoeuvre with potentially lethal results.

As long as they avoid you the decals have served their purpose, no matter what colour they are.

[Winston Smith]

You miss the point Jonathon.

Someone avoiding that situation may hit you.  Head on.

Or you see them and become the avoiding vehicle.  Head on with the vehicles who's lights you haven't see due to the attention focus and brightness of these reflective surfaces.

In the UK - because of this legislation - white being shown to the rear would be totally alien. 

As I said, mix that with dark/rainy/steam up and the potential is potentially catastrophic.

Whether I agree or not with it all, all I am doing is answering a question and clarifying legal POV.  What the individual does is entirely up to them...

[bradders94]

It's at this point I realise I have very few pics of the back of my bike, however this one should give you an idea. 3M reflective panel and cut it yourself. The panels are self adhesive and if you use this type of shape the pannier surfaces are all flat so there are no problems with it lifting. Just clean the panniers with a solvent before you stick them down.
Of course the cheap way is to use some offcuts if you know anyone who might use this type of material

Chris

[viper]

Most traffic laws are usually in place for a good reason, and winston as explained this one very well

[dokterdave]

So this is my effort for increased conspicuity.