PBP - Reflective vests?

[Greenbank]

I'll be using my LEL ankle straps (and no panniers). The same type of motion and just as visible (if not more) than pedal reflectors and showing an attempt to comply with the spirit of the law.

[STMS]

Do you mean this?

It does but the point is that a number of us want to take the skimpiest, most lightweight and packable piece of mesh that we can get away with, which that isn't.  We may alternatively be prepared to go for a proper cycling gilet that complies, but we don't want to spend nearly £20 on a dustman's garment that is flappy when being worn and relatively bulky when stowed in a saddlebag.

I was trying to be helpful, i have ordered one of these and can comment further when it arrives. i was taken in by

Features:
A cycle specific hi-viz waistcoat that meets and exceeds EN471, class 1, level 1
EN471 is the highest safety standard for reflective clothing
Bright yellow and orange material with reflective silver stripes
Soft-touch material and an easy-to-use zip
Extended tail for extra visibility when riding
LED light loop

I have an easily stowable lightweight one but it doesn't comply.

[Mr Larrington]

It's also an offence if your pedal reflectors are obscured at any point, for example if you have panniers fitted.

Or are riding on certain types of lying-down-stylee machinery.

[The Seldom Killer]

Hold on, are you seriously telling me that recumbents are illegal in France?

[The Seldom Killer]

At night your cycle MUST have white front and red rear lights lit. It MUST also be fitted with a red rear reflector (and amber pedal reflectors, if manufactured after 1/10/85).

From the Highway Code.

[Greenbank]

Hold on, are you seriously telling me that recumbents are illegal in France?

No, a recumbent isn't illegal in France, nor is one illegal in the UK.

But there seems to be no way to legally ride one in the UK after dark and comply with the requirements for visible pedal reflectors as laid down (no pun intended) by the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989.

I'm guessing the same is true in France.

[Exit Stage Left]

Hold on, are you seriously telling me that recumbents are illegal in France?

No, a recumbent isn't illegal in France, nor is one illegal in the UK.

But there seems to be no way to legally ride one in the UK after dark and comply with the requirements for visible pedal reflectors as laid down (no pun intended) by the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989.

I'm guessing the same is true in France.

Obviously a system of mirrors should be employed.

[Mr Larrington]

Hold on, are you seriously telling me that recumbents are illegal in France?

No, a recumbent isn't illegal in France, nor is one illegal in the UK.

But there seems to be no way to legally ride one in the UK after dark and comply with the requirements for visible pedal reflectors as laid down (no pun intended) by the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989.

I'm guessing the same is true in France.

A few years ago I rode Windcheetah 002 back from a do at Bikefix after dark, legally, as it was built before 1985.  The chain climbed into the back wheel outside Holloway prison which left Mr Larrington wearing said trike for a hat.  TWFKAML was more concerned about the state of my jersey than the state of my sorely-abused bod - the jersey had been a crimbling-yule present from her family and Cost Money, whereas new husbands can be obtained for free from various charitable organisations, gigs, pubs, nightclubs, etc. etc..

Neither of my road-going recumbents has a legal reflector, but all rearward-facing bits of both are slathered with retro-reflective tape and/or stickers which stand out like a sore wossname.  Only the most pedantic member of the five-oh would get a strop on if approaching it after dark.  I've even got reflective tape on the underside (forward-facing bit) of the pedals...

[STMS]

 Just used the yahoo translater to translate the et apris bit

And after…? Beyond the port of your waistcoat high-visibility, your cycle must be provided with fires before and back and reflectors on the pedals, c' is obligatory. Think of replacing the lightings provided to l' purchase of your bicycle, those are often of poor quality. Lastly, it is strongly advised to carry a helmet in conformity with the standards of dryness

[Feline]

I object to being asked to conform to any standard of dryness.

[frankly frankie]

Pick two:-

a) Inexpensive
b) lightweight/easy-to-stow/not-flappy
c) EN standards compliant

As mentioned before, our local Poundland gilets tick all 3 boxes.
And are almost invisible when wet.

[STMS]

More worried about the pedal reflectors than dryness, mind you the way the health is going  

[mattc]

Pick two:-

a) Inexpensive
b) lightweight/easy-to-stow/not-flappy
c) EN standards compliant

As mentioned before, our local Poundland gilets tick all 3 boxes.
And are almost invisible when wet.

Our <poundland equivalent> had something; the reflective bits would not be invisible (except in complete darkness). Frankie's may be different!

(didn't take it out of the packet, so it might have been flappy )

[EdinburghFixed]

Yep, as with panniers it's illegal to ride a recumbent at night. Still, I view this more in the same way as it's illegal to ride with a light that is not kite-marked - it's pretty much irrelevant.

If I had anything less than the ridiculous amount of space I get when I ride at night, it might be another matter. But as it is, even at night the forcefield gives some benefit...

[Ian H]

More worried about the pedal reflectors than dryness, mind you the way the health is going  

So far I've ridden three without pedal reflectors - if that helps.

[STMS]

Do you mean this?

It does but the point is that a number of us want to take the skimpiest, most lightweight and packable piece of mesh that we can get away with, which that isn't.  We may alternatively be prepared to go for a proper cycling gilet that complies, but we don't want to spend nearly £20 on a dustman's garment that is flappy when being worn and relatively bulky when stowed in a saddlebag.

I was trying to be helpful, i have ordered one of these and can comment further when it arrives. i was taken in by

Features:
A cycle specific hi-viz waistcoat that meets and exceeds EN471, class 1, level 1
EN471 is the highest safety standard for reflective clothing
Bright yellow and orange material with reflective silver stripes
Soft-touch material and an easy-to-use zip
Extended tail for extra visibility when riding
LED light loop

I have an easily stowable lightweight one but it doesn't comply.

It arrived and will soon be on its way back. Stitching issue, i always get the duff one l/Xl also too big for me. Larger bands so not very flexible and expect many will suffer from this. Cyclists flap and extra vision stuff good idea. If it fitted well it would do the job but not for me unless nothing better transpires. 2011 could well look like a binmens conference.

[mattc]

2011 could well look like a binmens conference.

fortunately all that will show up in the photos is reflections from the Hi-Viz (just like previous years, only more so).

So outsiders will never be exposed to the full horror !!!

[Ivo]

2011 could well look like a binmens conference.

fortunately all that will show up in the photos is reflections from the Hi-Viz (just like previous years, only more so).

So outsiders will never be exposed to the full horror !!!

Not at all. Just take a DSLR and some fast lenses.

[hellymedic]

<Londoncentric point>

A fellow Barnet Cyclist was wearing a 'good going' vest at our meeting a couple of days ago. It seemed lightweight and meshy.
I checked; it is certified and has the requisite label.

I think these were free goodies at Bike week a while back...

[Panoramix]

More worried about the pedal reflectors than dryness, mind you the way the health is going  

So far I've ridden three without pedal reflectors - if that helps.

This was the spirit of my remark. I would be surprised if they check the labels. If they do -assuming I can't find a suitable one with a label - I will show them a cheap one from a service station with label and wear something sensible (ie high viz and breathable) during the event.

[MattH]

You aren't sneaky enough. If your good one looks the part but isn't approved, then snip the label out of a cheap one and sew it in (using a sewing machine so it looks the part, rather than hand sewing).

[urban_biker]

I'm really disappointed in you lot. We have still only managed to talk about PBP reflective gear for 15 pages. I won't be happy until we get to at least 30.   

[Panoramix]

I'm really disappointed in you lot. We have still only managed to talk about PBP reflective gear for 15 pages. I won't be happy until we get to at least 30.   

I did try hard to introduce pedal reflectors to boost the count but with moderate success.

[mattc]

Relax. Audax is about pacing yourself - it's 2 months before even the quallies start.

[Plodder]

I'm really disappointed in you lot. We have still only managed to talk about PBP reflective gear for 15 pages. I won't be happy until we get to at least 30.   

The law says that you must wear a gilet with the necessary reflex-reflective bits.
Does that mean that, if you have a jacket (with sleeves) that otherwise meets the requirements, you have to wear a suitable gilet (defined as sleeveless) over the top to comply with said law?

Fetches coat... and gilet