Road legal bikes?

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gambatte

Middle of the pack...
Location
S Yorks
Curiosity....
I think we're all aware of what's required on a bike, not just at point of sale but for everyday use?
Lights at night
Brakes
yadda, yadda.....
But I keep seeing groups of youths in the supermarket carparks with BMX type bikes. It doesn't take much to realise these have been stripped down to the minimum. Out of 20 bikes there may be 4 sets of brake components....
Now if I bought my kid a bike and it ended up like this, he wouldn't have a bike. But what I'm wondering is, if it's not 'road legal' is there any actual law being broken or applicable punishment?
 

Drago

Legendary Member
Yes.

Yes.
 

guitarpete247

Just about surviving
Location
Leicestershire
Did my first Bikeability course yesterday. 2 lads with BMX bikes and both had brakes that would hardly slow them down. We adjusted the brakes and got them to work but one lad was so used to using his feet to stop him he couldn't break the habit. His trainers only had about 2mm of sole left. I had to get on his bike and show him that the brakes now worked to get him to try them. Looking forward to seeing him, in the summer, for the level 2 to see if he will be safe enough to take out on the roads.
 
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gambatte

Middle of the pack...
Location
S Yorks
And, not able to sit on the saddle and pedal at the same time :whistle:.
Why would you want to sit on the pedal in the first place?...:blush:
.
I'll get mi coat......^_^
 

ohnovino

Large Member
Location
Liverpool
Do bicycles legally have to have reflectors on the bike frame and pedals?
Highway Code Rule 60
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). White front reflectors and spoke reflectors will also help you to be seen. Flashing lights are permitted but it is recommended that cyclists who are riding in areas without street lighting use a steady front lamp.
 

Oldspice

Senior Member
@Ohnovino So what about clipin pedals they don't have reflectors. Would it still be classed as legal?

I was also told that bikes must be sold with a bell and reflectors is that a myth?
 
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gambatte

Middle of the pack...
Location
S Yorks
@Ohnovino So what about clipin pedals they don't have reflectors. Would it still be classed as legal?

I was also told that bikes must be sold with a bell and reflectors is that a myth?
Sold yes
then you can remove them
Pedal reflectors are a legal requirement, although IME finding SPDs with reflectors that stay on is an impossibility.
I believe you need an 'audible warning device', don't need a bell, yer gob qualifies.:smile:
 

Oldspice

Senior Member
Sold yes
then you can remove them
Pedal reflectors are a legal requirement, although IME finding SPDs with reflectors that stay on is an impossibility.
I believe you need an 'audible warning device', don't need a bell, yer gob qualifies.:smile:

Does this mean that shops break the law becuase they do not sell bikes with reflectors or brakes?

http://www.bikehub.co.uk/featured-articles/cycling-and-the-law/

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BIKES
The main law for bikes is currently BS6102, soon to be superseded by new CEN standards, but this is for retail use only ie bikes must meet those minimum standards at the point of sale. Bikes ridden at night need front and rear lights, flashing or steady.
At night a bicycle must also be fitted with a red rear reflector (and amber pedal reflectors, if manufactured after 1/10/85, see below).
According to the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 (amended in 1994, 1996, 2001, 2005, again in 2005 and 2009), all bicycle pedals must be fitted with reflectors (two on each pedal), but only when being ridden on a public road between sunset and sunrise. Fitting such reflectors is now an impossibility with many ‘clipless’ pedals. While this part of the RVLR is seldom enforced, if you are involved in a night-time accident however, any slight illegality with respect to your lights or reflectors may be regarded as contributory negligence.
There’s a lot more info on bike standards and legal requirements – for instance on lights – by Chris Juden of the CTC here.
ISOBEL ASKS: IS A BELL NECESSARY ON A BICYCLE? BIKEHUB ANSWERS: MAYBE BUT IT’S NOT A LEGAL REQUIREMENT
At the point of sale (ie shops) bikes have to be fitted with bells but there is no legal requirement for them to be fitted to bicycles no longer on shop display. [NOTE: thanks to the Coalition Government's Red Tape Challenge this requirement will be history soon but, for now, is still in force).
The Highway Code does not stipulate that bells must be used. It states: "Be considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians. Let them know you are there when necessary, for example by ringing your bell."
Another 'audible warning device' is the human voice: a polite 'excuse me' can often come across as a lot less aggressive than the apparently insistent tinkling of a bell. However, 'angry of Tunbridge Wells' type letters to newspapers continue to insist that cyclists - from church-hopping old maids to downhill mountain-bikers - ought to use bells, despite the fact their use often scares the bejesus out of pedestrians.
On the Continent, the use of bells is more widespread and pedestrians do not leap out of their skin when they hear a bicycle bell behind them. Perhaps, in time, the use of bicycle bells in the UK will once again mean cyclist approaching, please don't move to the side rather than oi, cyclist coming, get out of my way.
 
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