Bike pedals without reflectors???
07-27-20, 09:33 AM
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Bike pedals without reflectors???
I have been looking to buy new bike pedals, many beautiful looking pedals on Amazon, and none of them even have the option to put a reflector on them.
What is going on? WHY so many sales of bike pedals without the option to put a reflector on them?
What is going on? WHY so many sales of bike pedals without the option to put a reflector on them?
07-27-20, 09:40 AM
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Because they are ineffective. If you want to be seen, mount front and rear running lights on your bike. Motorists aren't looking down toward your pedals and are unlikely to notice them even if their headlights reflected off of them, as the reflectors would be small, and the overhang of your foot likely blocks most of it anyway.
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07-27-20, 09:41 AM
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07-27-20, 09:52 AM
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I think the ankle reflector straps are considered more effective. Better position and bigger. The fact that they move makes it about the best place for a reflector.
07-27-20, 10:20 AM
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Last edited by FiftySix; 07-27-20 at 10:33 AM. Reason: photo
07-27-20, 10:30 AM
#6
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I ride in daylight, early dawn, evening twilight and full darkness. I have never considered reflective pedals to be of great benefit. If you want to be seen, then make yourself seen. Get the pedals that work for your riding style, shoe interface and environment.
In decreasing importance from most to least (for me).
(1) Redundant, bright, varying-mode tail lights, one for helmet, one for rear rack or seat tube.
(2) Redundant, bright, controlled beam forward lights, one for handlebar, the other for helmet mount.
(3) Reflective patches on rear panniers (both side and rear view reflectives)
(4) Reflective sidewalls on tires
(5) Reflective details on upper outer clothing layer.
(6) Reflective details on lower outer layer, including ankle bands or shoes/covers
(7) Pedal or other standard bike reflectors
Take this for what it's worth.
In decreasing importance from most to least (for me).
(1) Redundant, bright, varying-mode tail lights, one for helmet, one for rear rack or seat tube.
(2) Redundant, bright, controlled beam forward lights, one for handlebar, the other for helmet mount.
(3) Reflective patches on rear panniers (both side and rear view reflectives)
(4) Reflective sidewalls on tires
(5) Reflective details on upper outer clothing layer.
(6) Reflective details on lower outer layer, including ankle bands or shoes/covers
(7) Pedal or other standard bike reflectors
Take this for what it's worth.
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07-27-20, 10:43 AM
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I certainly notice when a bike has pedal and wheel reflectors, but they're too low to be visible in traffic, so I wouldn't depend on them as my first line of defense. Also, bright LEDs and reflective fabrics have changed how we think about visibility since the time when reflectors were mandated on bikes.
When I was in middle school, there was a day one summer when we all suddenly had to take all of the reflectors off of our bikes because someone learned from one of the older kids, that reflectors are not "cool."
When I was in middle school, there was a day one summer when we all suddenly had to take all of the reflectors off of our bikes because someone learned from one of the older kids, that reflectors are not "cool."
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07-27-20, 11:23 AM
#9
aka Phil Jungels
I have also wondered about this!
In Illinois, it is the law. All pedals must have reflectors..... Yet, they seldom come with them, and you never see them anywhere, except on new bikes.
In Illinois, it is the law. All pedals must have reflectors..... Yet, they seldom come with them, and you never see them anywhere, except on new bikes.
07-27-20, 11:35 AM
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Citation to authority? My research indicates that a relatively recent change in the law means no reflectors of any kind are required. At night you need a front, white headlight and a rear red reflector OR red light.
I also see that the state's DUI stature does not apply to cyclists, and there is no separate BUI statute.
I also see that the state's DUI stature does not apply to cyclists, and there is no separate BUI statute.
07-27-20, 11:42 AM
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From the back pedal reflectors absolutely work. The opposing up and down movement identifies it as a person pedaling a bike, not something that may be going the same speed as the motorists. The nice thing about pedal reflectors is you can't forget them, they are always there. But yeah, reflective ankle straps do the same thing. But you still need lights front and rear in the dark.
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07-27-20, 11:45 AM
#12
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For IL you are correct, the requirement was updated recently.
07-27-20, 11:47 AM
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I commute year round and I am all for lights and reflectors. If you find a pair of pedals you like that don't have reflectors, try applying some reflective tape to them, or to the crank arms, or your shoes, or wear reflective ankle bands.
Or if you use toe clips like me, get some LED shoes like I did:
https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting...ric-shoes.html
07-27-20, 11:59 AM
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Were pedal reflectors an actual requirement? I didn't dig deep, but from what I saw the change was from requiring a rear reflector to requiring a either a reflector or a light, with no mention of where the reflector had to be pre-law change.
And to make the issue germane to this thread, the reason I saw offered for the change is that lights are more effective than reflectors, as at least one person above has noted.
And to make the issue germane to this thread, the reason I saw offered for the change is that lights are more effective than reflectors, as at least one person above has noted.
07-27-20, 12:03 PM
#15
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If your law is like Michigan's, that's not quite true. New bikes must have reflectors including on the pedals and in the wheels at the time of sale (unless there is no practical application or some such wording.) So new bikes are simply sold without pedals. There is no requirement for the reflectors to be left on after the sale.
Last edited by BlazingPedals; 07-27-20 at 12:11 PM.
07-27-20, 12:04 PM
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No, they were/are only required on new bikes.
07-27-20, 12:16 PM
#17
aka Phil Jungels
Here ya go ----
Code:
"(625 ILCS 5/11‑1507)
Code:
(from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1507)
Code:
Sec. 11‑1507.
Code:
Lamps and other equipment on bicycles.
Code:
(a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the Department which shall be visible from all distances from 100 feet to 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.
Code:
(b) A bicycle shall not be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a bicycle any siren. This subsection (b) does not apply to a bicycle that is a police vehicle or fire department vehicle.
Code:
(c) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will adequately control movement of and stop and hold such bicycle.
Code:
(d) No person shall sell a new bicycle or pedal for use on a bicycle that is not equipped with a reflex reflector conforming to specifications prescribed by the Department, on each pedal, visible from the front and rear of the bicycle during darkness from a distance of 200 feet." Last paragraph - and since nobody (seller) knows what bike it will go on - all pedals are to be equipped with reflectors.
07-27-20, 12:19 PM
#18
aka Phil Jungels
Ill Law .
Code:
625 ILCS 5/11‑1507)
Code:
(from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1507)
Code:
Sec. 11‑1507.
Code:
Lamps and other equipment on bicycles.
Code:
(a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the Department which shall be visible from all distances from 100 feet to 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.
Code:
(b) A bicycle shall not be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a bicycle any siren. This subsection (b) does not apply to a bicycle that is a police vehicle or fire department vehicle.
Code:
(c) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will adequately control movement of and stop and hold such bicycle.
Code:
(d) No person shall sell a new bicycle or pedal for use on a bicycle that is not equipped with a reflex reflector conforming to specifications prescribed by the Department, on each pedal, visible from the front and rear of the bicycle during darkness from a distance of 200 feet.
07-27-20, 12:20 PM
#19
aka Phil Jungels
Code:
625 ILCS 5/11‑1507)
Code:
(from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1507)
Code:
Sec. 11‑1507.
Code:
Lamps and other equipment on bicycles.
Code:
(a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the Department which shall be visible from all distances from 100 feet to 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.
Code:
(b) A bicycle shall not be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a bicycle any siren. This subsection (b) does not apply to a bicycle that is a police vehicle or fire department vehicle.
Code:
(c) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will adequately control movement of and stop and hold such bicycle.
Code:
(d) No person shall sell a new bicycle or pedal for use on a bicycle that is not equipped with a reflex reflector conforming to specifications prescribed by the Department, on each pedal, visible from the front and rear of the bicycle during darkness from a distance of 200 feet.
07-27-20, 12:29 PM
#20
aka Phil Jungels
Code:
Here ya go - last paragraph. (625 ILCS 5/11-1507)
Code:
(from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-1507)
Code:
Sec. 11-1507.
Code:
Lamps and other equipment on bicycles.
Code:
(a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the Department which shall be visible from all distances from 100 feet to 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle, except that a lamp emitting a steady or flashing red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to or instead of the red reflector.
Code:
(b) A bicycle shall not be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a bicycle any siren. This subsection (b) does not apply to a bicycle that is a police vehicle or fire department vehicle.
Code:
(c) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will adequately control movement of and stop and hold such bicycle.
Code:
(d) No person shall sell a new bicycle or pedal for use on a bicycle that is not equipped with a reflex reflector conforming to specifications prescribed by the Department, on each pedal, visible from the front and rear of the bicycle during darkness from a distance of 200 feet.
07-27-20, 01:40 PM
#22
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That was killing my brain, Wanderer. 
Here ya go, again.
625 ILCS 5/11‑1507(from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1507)Sec. 11-1507.
Lamps and other equipment on bicycles.
(a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the Department which shall be visible from all distances from 100 feet to 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle, except that a lamp emitting a steady or flashing red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to or instead of the red reflector.
(b) A bicycle shall not be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a bicycle any siren. This subsection (b) does not apply to a bicycle that is a police vehicle or fire department vehicle.
(c) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will adequately control movement of and stop and hold such bicycle.
(d) No person shall sell a new bicycle or pedal for use on a bicycle that is not equipped with a reflex reflector conforming to specifications prescribed by the Department, on each pedal, visible from the front and rear of the bicycle during darkness from a distance of 200 feet.
Here ya go, again.
625 ILCS 5/11‑1507(from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1507)Sec. 11-1507.
Lamps and other equipment on bicycles.
(a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the Department which shall be visible from all distances from 100 feet to 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle, except that a lamp emitting a steady or flashing red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to or instead of the red reflector.
(b) A bicycle shall not be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a bicycle any siren. This subsection (b) does not apply to a bicycle that is a police vehicle or fire department vehicle.
(c) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will adequately control movement of and stop and hold such bicycle.
(d) No person shall sell a new bicycle or pedal for use on a bicycle that is not equipped with a reflex reflector conforming to specifications prescribed by the Department, on each pedal, visible from the front and rear of the bicycle during darkness from a distance of 200 feet.
07-27-20, 01:55 PM
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What are you using now?
07-27-20, 02:03 PM
#25
Banned
I have several pedals with built in reflerctors.
MKS 3000R. their Dutch rubber block pedals.
Ergon pedals have huge wrap around reflectors..
and the classic Phil Wood CHP
other pedals you may get at your bike shop may have reflectors available,
not every one likes them so they are collected in a bin
clipless rarely have room for them
add 3M reflective tape ?
put a reflective pants cuff strap on your leg?
No, I wont help you find things on Amazon..
...
MKS 3000R. their Dutch rubber block pedals.
Ergon pedals have huge wrap around reflectors..
and the classic Phil Wood CHP
other pedals you may get at your bike shop may have reflectors available,
not every one likes them so they are collected in a bin
clipless rarely have room for them
add 3M reflective tape ?
put a reflective pants cuff strap on your leg?
No, I wont help you find things on Amazon..
...