lighting requirements around the world

What sort of requirements apply to bicycle lighting around the world?

I'm aware of Germany's being strict and detailed, and the California
Vehicle code saying merely:

(1) A lamp emitting a white light that, while the bicycle is in motion, illuminates the highway, sidewalk, or bikeway in front of the bicyclist and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the bicycle.

(2) A red reflector or a solid or flashing red light with a built-in reflector on the rear that shall be visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle.

What is the attitude toward bike lighting elsewhere?

Thanks for reading,

bob prohaska

bob prohaska wrote:
What sort of requirements apply to bicycle lighting around the world?

I'm aware of Germany's being strict and detailed, and the California
Vehicle code saying merely:

(1) A lamp emitting a white light that, while the bicycle is in motion,
illuminates the highway, sidewalk, or bikeway in front of the bicyclist
and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the bicycle.

(2) A red reflector or a solid or flashing red light with a built-in
reflector on the rear that shall be visible from a distance of 500 feet
to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle.

What is the attitude toward bike lighting elsewhere?

Thanks for reading,

bob prohaska


Uk lights are supposed to be British standard or equivalent, plus
reflectors plus pedals.

In practice as long as you have lights your unlikely to be worried by the
police.

Roger Merriman

On 8/31/2020 4:27 PM, bob prohaska wrote:
What sort of requirements apply to bicycle lighting around the world?

I'm aware of Germany's being strict and detailed, and the California
Vehicle code saying merely:

(1) A lamp emitting a white light that, while the bicycle is in motion, illuminates the highway, sidewalk, or bikeway in front of the bicyclist and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the bicycle.

(2) A red reflector or a solid or flashing red light with a built-in reflector on the rear that shall be visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle.

What is the attitude toward bike lighting elsewhere?

Additionally, it sounds like in Germany there is enforcement of what is
sold. I know that at least one manufacturer of dynamo lights in Germany
has had to label their best dynamo light as for off-road use only.

In the U.S., in some cities, the police might cite you for not having a
light at all, but are unlikely to determine if your light is too bright
or not bright enough, or not aimed properly.

sms wrote:
On 8/31/2020 4:27 PM, bob prohaska wrote:
What sort of requirements apply to bicycle lighting around the world?

I'm aware of Germany's being strict and detailed, and the California
Vehicle code saying merely:

(1) A lamp emitting a white light that, while the bicycle is in motion,
illuminates the highway, sidewalk, or bikeway in front of the bicyclist
and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the bicycle.

(2) A red reflector or a solid or flashing red light with a built-in
reflector on the rear that shall be visible from a distance of 500 feet
to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle.

What is the attitude toward bike lighting elsewhere?

Additionally, it sounds like in Germany there is enforcement of what is
sold. I know that at least one manufacturer of dynamo lights in Germany
has had to label their best dynamo light as for off-road use only.

Fairly sure Exposure lights has to do that as well, they have a powerful
MTB dynamo light, did used to sell some of their lights with a STVZO mode,
ie in low mode.

But I can’t see anything anymore.

Though others do sell fairly high powered for the road STVZO lights 500+
Lumens.

In the U.S., in some cities, the police might cite you for not having a
light at all, but are unlikely to determine if your light is too bright
or not bright enough, or not aimed properly.

Roger Merriman

Roger Merriman wrote:
sms wrote:
On 8/31/2020 4:27 PM, bob prohaska wrote:
What sort of requirements apply to bicycle lighting around the
world?

Different ones, but converging toward ISO. America last, probably.

https://www.techstreet.com/standards/bs-iso-6742-2-2015-a1-2018?product_id=2015307
Sample showing ISO rear lamp photometry (seems identical to Stvzo/TA):
https://www.sis.se/api/document/preview/918906/

I'm aware of Germany's being strict and detailed, and the California
Vehicle code saying merely:

(1) A lamp emitting a white light that, while the bicycle is in
motion, illuminates the highway, sidewalk, or bikeway in front of the
bicyclist and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and
from the sides of the bicycle.

(2) A red reflector or a solid or flashing red light with a built-in
reflector on the rear that shall be visible from a distance of 500
feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of
headlamps on a motor vehicle.

What is the attitude toward bike lighting elsewhere?

low priority, especially where free-breathers can be robbed ten times as
profitably per enforcement case.

Additionally, it sounds like in Germany there is enforcement of what is
sold. I know that at least one manufacturer of dynamo lights in
Germany has had to label their best dynamo light as for off-road use
only.

Of course, that's just ignorant sms nonsense.
(Please pardon the pleonasms!)

https://supernova-lights.com/en/e3-triple-2/
A glance at the lens shows that this cannot be some superior
shaped beam of any sort.
https://www.ambadistribution.com/uploads/65476346/ckeditor_assets/pictures/180/content_triple_tunnel.jpg
And neither was an early version (Y2009):
https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/ima...triplebeam.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLexe0t8hik
Aimed down to avoid getting flashed by traffic = no better than $25 lamps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjpfYusoFdo
6500 K white? Supernova never learns.
(The video is not showing a Dinotte beam, just comparing specs. Rider
estimates about 150 lumens at 10 km/h.)

Fairly sure Exposure lights has to do that as well, they have a powerful
MTB dynamo light, did used to sell some of their lights with a STVZO
mode, ie in low mode.

But I can’t see anything anymore.

That could only be China-style "according to STVZO." One cannot
successfully apply for the approval mark if a product (overtly;-) includes
non-stvzo modes.

Though others do sell fairly high powered for the road STVZO lights 500+
Lumens.

In the U.S., in some cities, the police might cite you for not having a
light at all, but are unlikely to determine if your light is too
bright or not bright enough, or not aimed properly.

Anyone have a link showing the late Mr. Kizzee's bicycle with any supposed
vehicle code violation?

bob prohaska, 2020-09-01 01:27+0200:
What sort of requirements apply to bicycle lighting around the world?

In France:
* a white reflector and a solid while light on the front, with a
minimum electric power;
* a red reflector and a solid or flashing red light on the rear, again
with a minimum electric power;
* two orange reflectors on the sides;
* it is illegal to sell a bike without that equipment (for professional
sellers at least, not sure for individuals selling used bikes).

A couples of notes he
* requiring a minimal electric power is absurd, especially now that we
have LED lights, but nobody cares anyway: in practice, it is
sufficient to have a bright enough light, and policemen will never
check the electric power of your light;
* flashing red lights have only been allowed for a couple of years, as
part of a European harmonization;
* side reflectors are not required to be on the wheels, although they
always are, but they are required to be orange: many bike shop sell
bikes without these reflectors, and believe that reflecting white
stripes on the tyres are sufficient, but they are not (and they only
work when the tyre is kept clean).

--
Tanguy

On Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 3:43:10 AM UTC-4, Tanguy Ortolo wrote:
bob prohaska, 2020-09-01 01:27+0200:
What sort of requirements apply to bicycle lighting around the world?

In France:
* a white reflector and a solid while light on the front, with a
minimum electric power;
* a red reflector and a solid or flashing red light on the rear, again
with a minimum electric power;
* two orange reflectors on the sides;
* it is illegal to sell a bike without that equipment (for professional
sellers at least, not sure for individuals selling used bikes).

A couples of notes he
* requiring a minimal electric power is absurd, especially now that we
have LED lights, but nobody cares anyway: in practice, it is
sufficient to have a bright enough light, and policemen will never
check the electric power of your light;
* flashing red lights have only been allowed for a couple of years, as
part of a European harmonization;
* side reflectors are not required to be on the wheels, although they
always are, but they are required to be orange: many bike shop sell
bikes without these reflectors, and believe that reflecting white
stripes on the tyres are sufficient, but they are not (and they only
work when the tyre is kept clean).

--
Tanguy

The web page from France's Interior Ministry contradicts these lighting requirements.

https://www.securite-routiere.gouv.f...igatoires-velo

Les éclairages obligatoires
Des catadioptres (dispositifs rétro-réfléchissants) : de couleur rouge Ã* l’arrière, de couleur blanche ou jaune Ã* l’avant, de couleur orange sur les côtés et sur les pédales doivent être présentes sur le vélo et en bon état de marche.
Des feux de position : l’un émettant une lumière jaune ou blanche Ã* l’avant et une lumière rouge Ã* l’arrière.
NB : Si un vélo transporte une remorque dont la largeur dépasse 1,30 mètre, les dispositifs d’éclairage doivent être ajoutés Ã* cette dernière (catadioptres, feux de position).

There's also a requirement for the cyclist to wear a reflective safety vest:

Le gilet rétro-réfléchissant
Le port d’un gilet rétro-réfléchissant certifié est obligatoire pour tout cycliste, et son éventuel passager, circulant hors agglomération, la nuit, ou lorsque la visibilité est insuffisante.

If anyone is considering doing PBP, flashing lights are not permitted.

Stephen Bauman wrote:
On Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 3:43:10 AM UTC-4, Tanguy Ortolo wrote:
bob prohaska, 2020-09-01 01:27+0200:
What sort of requirements apply to bicycle lighting around the world?

In France:

* a white reflector and a solid while light on the front, with a
minimum electric power;
* a red reflector and a solid or flashing red light on the rear, again
with a minimum electric power;
* two orange reflectors on the sides;
* it is illegal to sell a bike without that equipment (for professional
sellers at least, not sure for individuals selling used bikes).

A couples of notes he
* requiring a minimal electric power is absurd, especially now that we
have LED lights, but nobody cares anyway: in practice, it is
sufficient to have a bright enough light, and policemen will never
check the electric power of your light;
* flashing red lights have only been allowed for a couple of years, as
part of a European harmonization;
* side reflectors are not required to be on the wheels, although they
always are, but they are required to be orange: many bike shop sell
bikes without these reflectors, and believe that reflecting white
stripes on the tyres are sufficient, but they are not (and they only
work when the tyre is kept clean).

(Even clean, they don't work as implied.) Unless we missed some technical
bylaws, you are lucky because you may legally ride lighter, uninhibitedly
flexing tyres, keep your wheel free from potential reflector-debris
artillery, and if the side reflector specs are the same, just put motorcycle
reflectors somewhere on your frame's sides.

The web page from France's Interior Ministry contradicts these lighting requirements.

https://www.securite-routiere.gouv.f...igatoires-velo

Well, what do you expect from sms's fellow tyrants at Macron's Interior
Ministry? They didn't even understand that their text does not match their
botched graphic which claims "catadioptre de ROUE orange". (Try NOT to look
at the size of the rider's shoe, and absolutely DO NOT look at the crank
geometry.)

Same text/graphic discrepancy at a municipal site:
https://www.lyon.fr/deplacements/les-modes-doux/velo-eclairage-et-equipements

Just proves that, for legal information, one should never rely on informal
claims by government, but should instead check the official journal and road
code.


--
OMG, I see a BLM "Justice for Dijon" riot starting in 3, 2, 1 ...
http://www.evad-dijon.fr/local/cache-vignettes/L450xH135/brillez-bcf2f.png

Sepp Ruf wrote:

Different ones, but converging toward ISO. America last, probably.

https://www.techstreet.com/standards/bs-iso-6742-2-2015-a1-2018?product_id=2015307
Sample showing ISO rear lamp photometry (seems identical to Stvzo/TA):
https://www.sis.se/api/document/preview/918906/


Are there plain English versions of either? The first is pricey, the
second impenetrable 8-). I'm just looking for the spirit, not the letter...

To that end the CVC version has its merits.

Thanks for posting,

bob prohaska

Stephen Bauman, 2020-09-03 14:33+0200:
The web page from France's Interior Ministry contradicts these lighting requirements.

https://www.securite-routiere.gouv.f...igatoires-velo

Les éclairages obligatoires
Des catadioptres (dispositifs rétro-réfléchissants) : de couleur rouge Ã* l’arrière, de couleur blanche ou jaune Ã* l’avant, de couleur orange sur les côtés et sur les pédales doivent être présentes sur le vélo et en bon état de marche.
Des feux de position : l’un émettant une lumière jaune ou blanche Ã* l’avant et une lumière rouge Ã* l’arrière.

Right, I forgot the pedal reflectors. And the fact that front light and
reflector can be yellow rather than white.

There's also a requirement for the cyclist to wear a reflective safety vest:

Indeed, I forgot that too. Safety vest is mandatory during the night
outside of cities.

If anyone is considering doing PBP, flashing lights are not permitted.

What is PBP?

--
Tanguy