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Reflectors-Yes or No?
May 30th, 2006 by RL Policar 
Personally I remove all of the reflectors on any of my bikes and use lights and blinkies at night. But someone once told me that its illegal for you to not have reflectors on your bike when riding at night.
With that in mind I decided to see what THE MAN had to say about reflectors and the law…
These excerpts pertain to bicycles and the applicable sections from the California Vehicle Code 21201. Equipment Requirements
(d) Every bicycle operated upon any highway during darkness shall be equipped
(1) with a lamp emitting a white light which, while the bicycle is in motion, illuminates the highway in front of the bicyclist and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the bicycle;
(2) with a red reflector on the rear which shall be visible from a distance of 500 feet when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle;
(3) with a white or yellow reflector on each pedal visible from the front and rear of the bicycle from a distance of 200 feet; and
(4) with a white or yellow reflector on each side forward of the center of the bicycle, and with a white or red reflector on each side to the rear of the center of the bicycle…
May 30th, 2006 at 10:10 am
I don’t know what the man saids here in WDC. But as my returen trip is alway after midnight, anything make me “visible” is good idea. I think reflectors and refloctive tape are actually very effective, sometimes better than poor performing/aimed flasher. And left turning car can spot your wheel reflector better. I have added some on my bag, helmet and frame.
One thing people often forget is that not only motorist but other bikers need to see you too. I don’t remember how many times I had near miss with other bikers because they didn’t have a good flasher, HL nor reflectors… and needless to say they don’t stop at STOP sign.
May 30th, 2006 at 2:52 pm
How about a Hokey Spoke?
May 30th, 2006 at 4:13 pm
I can’t imagine why you’d want to take the reflectors off in the first place!
Absolutely, positively, yes - I’ll have reflectors and I’m thinking of adding reflective tape wherever I can make it stick. Anything that makes me more visible is a good thing.
And here’s something to consider: for that fleeting instant when a car headlight catches your rear reflector it’s probably more bright than your rear light anyway. And the nature of prismatic reflectors ensures that the reflected beam of light goes straight back to the source, which is near enough to the driver’s eyes. Which is especially helpful when it comes to visibility but not enough on its own - you still need those lights as well.
In my part of the world lights and reflectors are both required by law. And common sense says it’s a good idea to keep your reflectors. So put ‘em back on I say!
May 30th, 2006 at 7:38 pm
Interesting.. I admit that I always yank mine too. When riding at night though I usually have a niterider on..
May 30th, 2006 at 10:00 pm
They do look funny. But for us who ride in a military post, we have to have them. We even have to wear a reflector belt day or night.
May 31st, 2006 at 8:53 am
Relax Tread…to each his own…
May 31st, 2006 at 3:56 pm
I believe that reflectors and blinkies must be installed on Commuter bikes, after all, they are Commuter Bikes. I rarely ride during the night, but when I had to ride at night I had 3 rear blinkies, a headlight and a blinkie in the front. I don’t care if I looked like a Christmas Tree, all I care was that I was visible to other drivers and riders.
June 7th, 2006 at 8:11 am
That belt is the stupidest thing ever, just like the vests for motorcyclists. I usually just wrap the reflector belt arround my camelback, and call it a day.
Travis
oh yes LEAVE is a good thing.. I am on 45 days of it.
June 19th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
i only remove the reflectors on the rims. i once had one come lose and wiggle it’s way down the spokes until it was caught and busted off during a ride….which bent one of the spokes.