Uh oh! No bike lights! - The Chainlink2024-03-28T10:10:22Zhttps://thechainlink.org/forum/topics/uh-oh-no-bike-lights?feed=yes&xn_auth=noThe responding police officer…tag:thechainlink.org,2011-02-05:2211490:Comment:2902372011-02-05T17:51:44.537ZSteven Vancehttps://thechainlink.org/profile/stevevance
<p>The responding police officer would most likely interpret the ordinance. Or a judge if it went that far.</p>
<p>Get the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014UQ97S?tag=stevevancenet-20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B0014UQ97S&adid=1DBK8K84YDHBHY2HRXWT&" target="_blank">cheapest compliant headlight</a> you can find and mount it on your handlebars. No more worrying.</p>
<p><br></br> <cite>Davo said:…</cite></p>
<p>The responding police officer would most likely interpret the ordinance. Or a judge if it went that far.</p>
<p>Get the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014UQ97S?tag=stevevancenet-20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B0014UQ97S&adid=1DBK8K84YDHBHY2HRXWT&">cheapest compliant headlight</a> you can find and mount it on your handlebars. No more worrying.</p>
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<cite>Davo said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/uh-oh-no-bike-lights?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A274624&page=2#2211490Comment275049"><div><p>How does the law apply if I don't have a head light on my bike but I do have a head light on my head?</p>
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</blockquote> The Active Transportation All…tag:thechainlink.org,2011-02-05:2211490:Comment:2906042011-02-05T17:48:04.000ZSteven Vancehttps://thechainlink.org/profile/stevevance
<p>The Active Transportation Alliance <a href="http://www.stevevance.net/planning/bike-light-giveaway-event/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">distributed over 500 headlights</a> to people seen riding without headlights. We have many ways to encourage people bicycling to use lights. Not all of them are in use.…</p>
<p>The Active Transportation Alliance <a href="http://www.stevevance.net/planning/bike-light-giveaway-event/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">distributed over 500 headlights</a> to people seen riding without headlights. We have many ways to encourage people bicycling to use lights. Not all of them are in use.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001G7Q24Y?tag=stevevancenet-20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B001G7Q24Y&adid=1DXPKW4G81VESRJ63N5D&" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Give lights</a> as Christmas and birthday gifts.</li>
<li>Donate money to Active Transportation Alliance and ask it to be used for a bike light distribution.</li>
<li>Police can enforce existing laws.</li>
<li>Bicycle shops can become ambassadors of safe and legal cycling by trying their hardest to make sure new bike purchasers don't leave the store without lights. "I don't ride at night" is not an excuse to forego buying lights. Lights aren't only helpful for "night" riding.</li>
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<p>Some helmets have built-in lights, like the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GSQNF6?tag=stevevancenet-20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B001GSQNF6&adid=1G2QHJ1Q8AQ9ZPKSEYDP&">Lazer Urbanize</a> (but this thing costs $80-$100!).<br/> <br/> <cite>Michael A said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/uh-oh-no-bike-lights#2211490Comment274641"><div>why not built into helmets?</div>
</blockquote> A good video, but ironic that…tag:thechainlink.org,2011-02-04:2211490:Comment:2901762011-02-04T06:47:18.633ZJoe TVhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/JoeTV
A good video, but ironic that they had to block the bike lane with a car to produce it!<br></br>
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<cite>Thunder Snow said:</cite><br />
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/uh-oh-no-bike-lights?page=3&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A289858&x=1#2211490Comment289858"><div><p>>>>> <a href="http://chicagobikes.org/video/index.php?loadVideo=headlamp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">City of Chicago Bike Light…</a></p>
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A good video, but ironic that they had to block the bike lane with a car to produce it!<br/>
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<cite>Thunder Snow said:</cite><br />
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/uh-oh-no-bike-lights?page=3&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A289858&x=1#2211490Comment289858"><div><p>>>>> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://chicagobikes.org/video/index.php?loadVideo=headlamp">City of Chicago Bike Light Video</a> </p>
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</blockquote> >>>> City of Chic…tag:thechainlink.org,2011-02-04:2211490:Comment:2898582011-02-04T01:57:29.179ZThunder Snowhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Thunder_Snow
<p>>>>> <a target="_blank" href="http://chicagobikes.org/video/index.php?loadVideo=headlamp">City of Chicago Bike Light Video</a> <<<<</p>
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<p>>>>> <a target="_blank" href="http://chicagobikes.org/video/index.php?loadVideo=headlamp">City of Chicago Bike Light Video</a> <<<<</p>
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<p>********************************************</p> How bout a link?
in it to wi…tag:thechainlink.org,2011-01-30:2211490:Comment:2883552011-01-30T06:07:06.131ZJoe TVhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/JoeTV
How bout a link?<br/>
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<cite>in it to win it said:</cite><br />
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/uh-oh-no-bike-lights?page=2&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A288373&x=1#2211490Comment288088"><div>City of Chicago Bike site now has a video on bike lights. Good viewing.</div>
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How bout a link?<br/>
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<cite>in it to win it said:</cite><br />
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/uh-oh-no-bike-lights?page=2&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A288373&x=1#2211490Comment288088"><div>City of Chicago Bike site now has a video on bike lights. Good viewing.</div>
</blockquote> i ride wiht out light all the…tag:thechainlink.org,2011-01-30:2211490:Comment:2883732011-01-30T05:54:33.486Zjacob reiglehttps://thechainlink.org/profile/jacobreigle
i ride wiht out light all the time but my wheels is like reflective orange and green
i ride wiht out light all the time but my wheels is like reflective orange and green While this sounds like a good…tag:thechainlink.org,2011-01-28:2211490:Comment:2879832011-01-28T20:29:17.497ZDuppiehttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Duppie
<p>While this sounds like a good reason to light up, it is the wrong reason. Just like lighting up just to be legal is the wrong reason. Because proper lighting has nothing to do with being legal, or being vindicated in court.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The reason I have plenty of lights on my bike is because my wife wants me to get home safely, every single evening.</p>
<p><br></br> <cite>Jim said:…</cite></p>
<p>While this sounds like a good reason to light up, it is the wrong reason. Just like lighting up just to be legal is the wrong reason. Because proper lighting has nothing to do with being legal, or being vindicated in court.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The reason I have plenty of lights on my bike is because my wife wants me to get home safely, every single evening.</p>
<p><br/> <cite>Jim said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/uh-oh-no-bike-lights?page=2&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A288088&x=1#2211490Comment283586"><div>[...]<br/><p> </p>
<p>The key with all this stuff, reflectors, lights, clothing... is that you want a driver to look like a blind oblivious idiot when they try to claim they didn't see you. You want the cop to be like, "You missed this person dressed up like a reflective Christmas tree? Really?"</p>
[...]</div>
</blockquote> City of Chicago Bike site now…tag:thechainlink.org,2011-01-28:2211490:Comment:2880882011-01-28T20:06:49.865Zin it to win it 8.0 mihttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Skip
City of Chicago Bike site now has a video on bike lights. Good viewing.
City of Chicago Bike site now has a video on bike lights. Good viewing. Thanks for posting the statut…tag:thechainlink.org,2011-01-14:2211490:Comment:2835862011-01-14T22:31:24.505ZJim Freemanhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/JimFreeman
<p>Thanks for posting the statute Joe. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Stay away from those Knog Frogs... I think they are only rated to be visible for 200 ft- which would mean if that's your only light you're not compliant with the law. Apparently <a href="http://atxbs.com/?q=node/2480" target="_blank">Austin</a> has been ticketing some cyclists with knogs for just this violation.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also... If you have a light on your helmet I'd argue that the bicycle is equipped, as the helmet is an…</p>
<p>Thanks for posting the statute Joe. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Stay away from those Knog Frogs... I think they are only rated to be visible for 200 ft- which would mean if that's your only light you're not compliant with the law. Apparently <a href="http://atxbs.com/?q=node/2480" target="_blank">Austin</a> has been ticketing some cyclists with knogs for just this violation.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also... If you have a light on your helmet I'd argue that the bicycle is equipped, as the helmet is an extension of bicycle equipment, much like cycling shoes. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>That's an academic question though since I've never actually heard of CPD giving out headlight violation tickets. Believe me, I wish they would. I'd love to see better compliance with Illinois headlight laws, and I have long felt that our best education tool is enforcement.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Does anyone know of a single instance where someone was issued a ticket for a headlight violation on a bicycle?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The key with all this stuff, reflectors, lights, clothing... is that you want a driver to look like a blind oblivious idiot when they try to claim they didn't see you. You want the cop to be like, "You missed this person dressed up like a reflective Christmas tree? Really?"</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm a big advocate of reflective tape. It's cheap (you can buy it in duct tape rolls for a few bucks at building supply stores like Clark and Barlow), it doesn't weigh anything, it doesn't cause wind drag, and if you apply it with a little artistic flare it doesn't even look dorky.</p>
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<p><cite>Joe TV said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/uh-oh-no-bike-lights?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A274624&page=2#2211490Comment274709"><div><p>Chicago's law (as found <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.chicagobikes.org/bikelaws/index.php?show=search&chapter=7&db=chi">here</a>):</p>
<p> </p>
<p>9-52-080- Head lamps, reflectors and brakes</p>
<p>(a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a head lamp which shall emit a white light visible from a minimum distance of 500 feet from the front and with a rear red reflector capable of reflecting the head lamp beams of an approaching motor vehicle back to the operator of such vehicle at distances up to 200 feet or a rear lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of at least 200 feet from the rear. <br/><br/><cite>H3N3 said:</cite></p>
<blockquote><div><p>Madison Wisconsin has a mandatory bicycle light law.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rayovac">Here's why.</a></p>
<p> </p>
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</blockquote> How does the law apply if I d…tag:thechainlink.org,2011-01-10:2211490:Comment:2750492011-01-10T21:54:28.523ZDavohttps://thechainlink.org/profile/DaveMicek
<p>How does the law apply if I don't have a head light on my bike but I do have a head light on my head?</p>
<p>Im courious on what is more noticable. I like the light on my head so I can see potholes and where Im looking.</p>
<p>However, I was doored about a month ago north bound on Damen just south of North on my left side nonetheless. If I had a light mounted on my handle bars, it might be possible that this passenger might have seen me.</p>
<p>I think that I would have been doored…</p>
<p>How does the law apply if I don't have a head light on my bike but I do have a head light on my head?</p>
<p>Im courious on what is more noticable. I like the light on my head so I can see potholes and where Im looking.</p>
<p>However, I was doored about a month ago north bound on Damen just south of North on my left side nonetheless. If I had a light mounted on my handle bars, it might be possible that this passenger might have seen me.</p>
<p>I think that I would have been doored regardless. </p>