Nov. 23, 2007



Filed under:
Safety, Tips

Comments (5)

Previous: North Branch open house

Next: CBR interview: Scott Van Maldegiam

Tip #24: Light up

In the winter months it's more important than ever to have a quality light system for when we train at night, and in this month's Bike Traffic, Jim Freeman provides one more reason to light up: If it doesn't save you from a crash, it can at least save you from becoming culpable. "If the cyclist does not have proper lighting they risk being blamed for the crash because of the cyclist’s lack of visibility." Freeman reminds us that Illinois law requires all cyclists to have a light in front and either a reflector or light in back.


Comments

Planet Bike Superflash - it is a VERY bright rear light and inexpensive also. Brightest rear light I have seen.

Anyone know of an inexpensive bright headlight?

Posted by: ScottV at Nov. 24, 2007 10:15 PM


Planet bike make a superflash for the front also, pretty dang bright like the rear.

Posted by: Jbucky1 at Nov. 26, 2007 10:42 AM


I just love my Cateye Opticube. No tools to install and it instantly transfers from bike to bike with a quick release tab/clamp. It even has a rotating axis on the mount out to 90 degrees, so you can put it on your tri-bars (just in case you are out training for the team TT Championships at 4:45am...hmmmmm)...oh, and it's VERY bright, too.

Posted by: Brian Morrissey at Nov. 26, 2007 04:06 PM


i thought one was required by illinois to have a reflector, or reflector and light in the rear.

in any case, there are rear lights for sale that are also reflective.

Posted by: brean at Nov. 26, 2007 10:57 PM


Chicago law says, "Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a ... a rear red reflector ... or a rear lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of at least 200 feet from the rear." The Illinois Vehicle Code, however, says "A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector."

So the city says "reflector or a light," and the state says "reflector or reflector AND a light."

IANAL, but I believe city code trumps here (home rule, is it?), so you're OK with merely a light within city limits, which is good for those of us with racing bikes that are way too precious to be sullied with reflectors.

Posted by: Luke at Nov. 27, 2007 07:19 AM