Riding without pedal reflectors. OK or not?

[Cyclopathic]

I said that i had more respekt for someone expressing an opinion in an open , frank and honest way than some sneaky insinuating pc sniper.
Im happy to end the matter other than to say choosing your words more carefully could be applied to you as well.
You will appreciate that when youve be publicly accused a private retraction is less than worthless - i have no desire to communicate in private. If you had wanted to communicate in private you might have considered doing so originally - as i would point out other more responsible forum members have done.

O.k then. You have made yourself absolutely clear and I see no reason to contiue this.

 

[Cyclopathic]

If it's a legal requirement, why do they make it so hard to buy them?

I am trying to get some fro my SPD pedals for when I go France (they LOOOVE reflectors over there!)

Two shops have now told me that pedal reflectors aren't a legal requirement in ANY country, which is plainly not true, several shops have said they don't exist but i have finally found a shop willing to help, although they said they will have to "make" something out of reflective tape.

It's so frustrating!

I can perhaps sugest that you buy the cheapset pedals you can get your hands on (and that is pretty darned cheap) and you pry the reflectors out of them to fit onto your hopefuly better quality pedals.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Not during daytime ?

It is only a legal requirement between dusk and dawn.

 

[Cyclopathic]

If it's a legal requirement, why do they make it so hard to buy them?

I am trying to get some fro my SPD pedals for when I go France (they LOOOVE reflectors over there!)

Two shops have now told me that pedal reflectors aren't a legal requirement in ANY country, which is plainly not true, several shops have said they don't exist but i have finally found a shop willing to help, although they said they will have to "make" something out of reflective tape.

It's so frustrating!

I can perhaps sugest that you buy the cheapset pedals you can get your hands on (and that is pretty darned cheap) and you pry the reflectors out of them to fit onto your hopefuly better quality pedals.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

If it's a legal requirement, why do they make it so hard to buy them?



It's so frustrating!

It seems to be because the law is hardly ever / never enforced. There is one case I am aware of where contributory negligence through them not being used is being cited.

 

[adds21]

I carry clip on flats for my SPD's that have pedal reflectors on them. I will use them If I am cycling after dusk. When the law is changed I will stop carrying them as the are a pain in the arse.

So, are you saying if you cycle after dark, you'll clip in your flat adapters to your SPD pedals, and go non-clipless just to keep in line with the letter of the law?

What if you go somewhere during day light hours, and return when it's dark (eg, commuting in early autumn). Would you carry an extra pair of non-SPD shoes, or ride home in the dark, with SPD shoes and adapted flat pedals?

No offence friend, but you're mad if you do that, and I don't for one moment believe that anyone, IRL, is quite that anal!

 

[apollo179]

O.k then. You have made yourself absolutely clear and I see no reason to continue this.

FTFY

 

[Angelfishsolo]

So, are you saying if you cycle after dark, you'll clip in your flat adapters to your SPD pedals, and go non-clipless just to keep in line with the letter of the law?

What if you go somewhere during day light hours, and return when it's dark (eg, commuting in early autumn). Would you carry an extra pair of non-SPD shoes, or ride home in the dark, with SPD shoes and adapted flat pedals?

No offence friend, but you're mad if you do that, and I don't for one moment believe that anyone, IRL, is quite that anal!

I use M520's (Double sided SPDs) The clip-ins are in my rucksack or saddle bag. It is the matter of a few moments to clip them in. I don't leave them on all the time because they look crap, are pretty flimsy, could be nicked,l at al.

 

[adds21]

They are in my rucksack or saddle bag. It is the matter of a few moments to clip them in. I don't leave them on all the time because they look crap, are pretty flimsy, could be nicked,l at al.

Sure, I've got a pair somewhere for my M520's I think (never used them, never will!). But if you commute (do you commute?) and you ride into work on SPD's, would you really ride home non-clipped in if it's dark?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Sure, I've got a pair somewhere for my M520's I think (never used them, never will!). But if you commute (do you commute?) and you ride into work on SPD's, would you really ride home non-clipped in if it's dark?

The pedals are double sided! Why would I have to ride clipless on the way home. They clip in to one side and the very same shoes clip into the other side of the pedal. Why is this a difficult concept to understand?

 

[apollo179]

It is only a legal requirement between dusk and dawn.

Gotcha - so you could start a journey legal and finish it illegal.

 

[adds21]

The pedals are double sided! Why would I have to ride clipless on the way home. They clip in to one side and the very same shoes clip into the other side of the pedal. Why is this a difficult concept to understand?

Ah! Okay. I understand. My mistake, I didn't realise the flat adapters would allow the clip of the other side of the pedal to be used (Not sure why I didn't "get that" - Makes perfect sense when you think about it!).

So, you're not quite as mad as I thought , but I'm still amazed you can be bothered to fit the flats when it's dark. I know I wouldn't, especially as it makes it harder to clip in as your double sided M520's have now become single sided.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Gotcha - so you could start a journey legal and finish it illegal.

No. I carry SPD clip ins in my saddlebag.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Ah! Okay. I understand. My mistake, I didn't realise the flat adapters would allow the clip of the other side of the pedal to be used (Not sure why I didn't "get that" - Makes perfect sense when you think about it!).

So, you're not quite as mad as I thought , but I'm still amazed you can be bothered to fit the flats when it's dark. I know I wouldn't, especially as it makes it harder to clip in as your double sided M520's have now become single sided.

I am a cycling instructor so I need to be seen to do the right thing.

 

[apollo179]

No. I carry SPD clip ins in my saddlebag.

Yes i presumed that you would go correctly prepared but someone else could start out legal and arrive home a law breaker.