BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

He's wrong.....

Section 3507. Lamps or other equipment on pedalcycles.

(a) Lamps and reflectors. -- Every pedalcycle when in use between sunset and sunrise shall be equipped on the front with a lamp which emits a beam of white light intended to illuminate the pedalcycle operator's path and visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front, a red reflector facing to the rear which shall be visible at least 500 feet to the rear, and an amber reflector on each side. Operators of pedalcycles may supplement the required front lamp with a white flashing lamp, light-emitting diode or similar device to enhance their visibility to other traffic and with a lamp emitting a red flashing lamp, light emitting diode or similar device visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear. A lamp or lamps worn by the operator of a pedalcycle shall comply with the requirements of this subsection if the lamp or lamps can be seen at the distances specified.

Comment: Many car-bike crashes occur at night and involve a poorly illuminated bicyclist. Bicyclists should understand that headlamps serve two purposes: a) primarily, they advise other road users of their presence (vitally important to prevent unsuspecting motorists from cutting across the paths of cyclists they cannot even detect), b) secondarily, illuminate the bicyclist's path.

Here's the source:

http://www.dot.state.pa.us/bike/web/bikelaws.htm

From the PA code, Title 75, Chapter 25, Subchapter A, Section 3507.

Section 3507. Lamps or other equipment on pedalcycles.

(a) Lamps and reflectors. -- Every pedalcycle when in use between sunset and sunrise shall be equipped on the front with a lamp which emits a beam of white light intended to illuminate the pedalcycle operator's path and visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front, a red reflector facing to the rear which shall be visible at least 500 feet to the rear, and an amber reflector on each side. Operators of pedalcycles may supplement the required front lamp with a white flashing lamp, light-emitting diode or similar device to enhance their visibility to other traffic and with a lamp emitting a red flashing lamp, light emitting diode or similar device visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear. A lamp or lamps worn by the operator of a pedalcycle shall comply with the requirements of this subsection if the lamp or lamps can be seen at the distances specified.

Note the last sentence. I'd say you were compliant.

thanks guys! i figured he was wrong. ive read that code before and didnt recall a clause about it needing to be mounted. im tempted to print that out to take with me and highlight the "A lamp or lamps worn by the operator" part. needless to say i did buy a bar mounted light just to be sure.

Never knew (or cared) much about the amber reflectors on the side. Good to know, I guess.

Strap one of these on the roof of the pedicab.

Find him next week and light him up.

"I took your advice to heart, sir."

Where . can . I . get . one of those?

I wish I would have saw that before getting my light...

Does it come with a helmet mount?

I wish I would have saw that before getting my light...

right, because getting that in addition to your current light would be impractical!

I bought a $20 head lamp from Lowes which I strap on my helmet at night.

If he harasses you again I would take the citation and fight it in court or just put a handlebar light on the cab. Could end up worse if you try to prove him wrong on the street.

This is a reasonable facsimile of that monster light, made just for your bike.

Yours today for only $1132.

Nice. I like it with the Strasenzulassung.

I was at Home Depot last night and purchased 2 LED head lamps for 9.99…some sort of 2 for 1 xmas special.

Never knew (or cared) much about the amber reflectors on the side. Good to know, I guess.

But without any rule governing visibility distances or anything else, this could be an unconstitutionally vague requirement. That said, the Street Smarts reflectors I've seen given out in Oakland are perfect to fit this requirement if you cut them in half and stick them on the frame.