![]() ![]() The other US states allow an option between a rear lamp or rear reflector. Three of these, Alaska, Florida, and Ohio, require a rear reflector in addition to a rear lamp. Currently five states require a red rear lamp: Alaska, Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio. – Every bicycle shall be equipped with a lighted lamp on the front thereof, visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of at least 300 feet in front of such bicycle, and shall also be equipped with a reflex mirror or lamp on the rear, exhibiting a red light visible under like conditions from a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such bicycle, when used at night.Īll US states require a white headlamp when bicycling at night. About 1/4 of car/bike collisions in North Carolina happen at night, including about one half of all bicyclist fatalities. Black and Hispanic bicyclists represent over half of night car-bike collisions in our state. Most bicyclists involved in crashes in darkness are not using lights.Įxisting North Carolina law for night bicycling requires a headlamp in front and either a reflector or lamp in the rear, as follows:Ģ0-129.(e) Lamps on Bicycles. One change to state traffic law that BikeWalk NC has recommended is that night lighting requirements for bicyclists be upgraded to require a rear lamp.Ĭycling in darkness is important for commuting and other forms of utility cycling. Be prepared and stay smart and you’ll reap the benefits of cycling at night be it commuting or getting some extra training in.The bicycle law study committee created by the enactment of HB232 had its first meeting August 7, when it identified priority safety issues to examine. Basic plastic tire reflectors will snap on and off easily, so you could just put them on for those rides at dust or in the dark.Ĭycling at night doesn’t have to be dangerous and can open up a whole new world of riding, not to mention the additional time available to actually do it. The rotation of the wheel will make sure you are seen from the sides as well as the front and rear. You may not want to have tire spoke reflectors on your favourite road bike or mountain bike, but they are a great idea. Or you can use strips of reflective tape on your pedals and wear reflective ankle bands to ensure you are visible. For pedals that don’t have built-in reflectors, you can get a reflector attachment that will bolt into your pedals. It’s been proven that drivers will notice the up and down movement of pedaling before the smoother movement of the whole bike, so it’s important to get something reflective on your pedals or feet. ![]() If you don’t want to attach reflectors on your bike, strips of reflective tape can be used instead. Front reflectors will go right on the handlebars, or the front stem. Back reflectors will go on the stem below the seat, but make sure it isn’t so high that the seat or your jacket will block it. These will either snap shut, or have small screws that hold it in place. Front and Back Reflectorsįront and back reflectors usually have a bracket that fits around the stem or handlebar. The most common places will be on the back of the pedals, the fork, handlebars, seat post, and rear rack if you have one. Most new bikes come with a set of reflectors, but are rarely installed by the bike shop before sale. Depending on your bike, it may already have some reflectors. ![]() The Best Use of Bike Reflectorsīike reflectors work to bounce light back in the direction of it’s source, in this case a car’s headlights. Be sure that all your lights are fully charged before heading out with more than enough battery life for the duration of your ride, and it’s a good idea to have an extra backup light as well. If you’re planning on heading down any low light or country roads, you’ll want to ensure your front light is bright enough to light your path. Drivers have to be able to see you to have enough time to react, so better to have too many lights than not enough. Reflectors can be used to supplement bike lights, not replace them.įortunately, new LED lights are both affordable and long-lasting for those longer rides. These are legally required in many places, and are a very good idea. This includes bike lights, reflective gear, and making use of bike reflectors.īike Reflectors as a Supplement to Lightsįirst things first, you’ll want to have a front-facing white light and a rear facing red light (one solid and one blinking is best). Ensuring that drivers can see you in tough lighting conditions is the first step in staying safe on your rides. Riding at night can be a ton of fun, and it’s unavoidable if you commute on your bike early in the morning or later at night.
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