DemiCat Posted March 8, 2019 Share Hello fellow riders I see more and more riders talking about visibility right now as a lot of people are training for the Argus. Now I know there aren’t any specific laws on off-road visibility,but as I work up to longer distances I will be finding myself on tar roads,as for example one specific route out of town is a tar road that turns into a dirt road. Now my question,what is the law regarding visibility on public roads,during the day ? Google also doesn’t give me a clear answer. What would be the reccomended methods be regarding visibility ? My clothes and shoes have visibility strips on,and I’ve seen people mention lights for their helmets ? My bike is black so that doesn’t help with visibility ... Thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnavel Posted March 8, 2019 Share As far as I am aware, there is no law pertaining visibility. Just remember, the more visible you are, the higher the chance that you will be seen by a driver. I always ride with my lights on, no matter the time of day or night - rear flashing rear tail light and front flashing white light. Just make sure they are bright lights as it is pointless having one that cannot be seen during the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DemiCat Posted March 8, 2019 Share Rear flashing rear tail light and front flashing white light..Thank you,I also did not realize that you get flashing front (white) lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mamil Posted March 8, 2019 Share AFAIK - the law says a bicycle must have reflectors on the wheels and seatpost but there is no law pertaining to clothing other than helmet. However in my view hi vis clothing, at least one bright red light visible in daylight and preferrably 2 seatpost lights and one white front light is essential. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Posted March 8, 2019 Share The law requires reflectors on bicycles. But I'd recommend going way beyond the lawful requirements. After lights front and back, even in daylight, I favour moving items like brightly coloured socks (no matter how fashion conscious the group I'm riding with might be). National Traffic Act 93 of 1996: s178. Lamps on pedal cycle (1) A pedal cycle may be fitted in front with a lamp emitting a white light, the intense part of the beam of which shall, when such pedal cycle is on a reasonably level road, strike the surface ahead of such pedal cycle at a distance of not less than three metres and not more than 30 metres. (2) A pedal cycle may be fitted with one or more lamps emitting a red light directly to the rear. s186. White retro-reflectors to be fitted on front of certain vehicles: (3) No person shall operate a pedal cycle on a public road unless there is fitted on the front of such cycle a white retro-reflector complying with the provisions of regulations 189 and 192. 187.Red retro-reflectors to be fitted on rear of certain vehicles; (4) No person shall operate a pedal cycle on a public road unless there is fitted on the rear of such cycle a red retro-reflector complying with the provisions of regulations 189 and 192. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mamil Posted March 8, 2019 Share Ja for sure - moving reflective clothing or moving lights the best - there is I believe research showing that moving lights on ankles/shoes is more effective at alerting drivers to a cyclist's presence. Of course if (s)he is on a cell phone it makes not a jot of difference. The law requires reflectors on bicycles. But I'd recommend going way beyond the lawful requirements. After lights front and back even in daylight, I favour moving items like brightly coloured socks. National Traffic Act 93 of 1996: s178. Lamps on pedal cycle (1) A pedal cycle may be fitted in front with a lamp emitting a white light, the intense part of the beam of which shall, when such pedal cycle is on a reasonably level road, strike the surface ahead of such pedal cycle at a distance of not less than three metres and not more than 30 metres. (2) A pedal cycle may be fitted with one or more lamps emitting a red light directly to the rear. s186. White retro-reflectors to be fitted on front of certain vehicles: (3) No person shall operate a pedal cycle on a public road unless there is fitted on the front of such cycle a white retro-reflector complying with the provisions of regulations 189 and 192. 187.Red retro-reflectors to be fitted on rear of certain vehicles; (4) No person shall operate a pedal cycle on a public road unless there is fitted on the rear of such cycle a red retro-reflector complying with the provisions of regulations 189 and 192. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prince Posted March 8, 2019 Share So i must now put a white reflector on the front of my bike.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lechatnoir Posted March 8, 2019 Share Ja for sure - moving reflective clothing or moving lights the best - there is I believe research showing that moving lights on ankles/shoes is more effective at alerting drivers to a cyclist's presence. Of course if (s)he is on a cell phone it makes not a jot of difference, AND IS NOT A TAXI fixed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allrounder Posted March 8, 2019 Share Follow the link to a very informative fred. https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/160804-please-apply-visibility-on-the-road/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew_Smith Posted March 8, 2019 Share +1 As far as I am aware, there is no law pertaining visibility. Just remember, the more visible you are, the higher the chance that you will be seen by a driver. I always ride with my lights on, no matter the time of day or night - rear flashing rear tail light and front flashing white light. Just make sure they are bright lights as it is pointless having one that cannot be seen during the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikebloke Posted March 8, 2019 Share So i must now put a white reflector on the front of my bike.. but that will push up the weight of my derosa from 6,9 to almost 7 kg...... i really cant risk it because marginal gains trumps safety every time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisF Posted March 8, 2019 Share DemiCat I often commute, typically in the dark in the morning and in the bright sun in the afternoon. For commuting on tar a typical pencil light that clips onto the handlebar does the trick. This does NOT work off road !!! Due the bumps the light vibrates and moves about on the handlebar, typically dropping to shine onto the ground. I have now invested in a RYDER USB rechargable COMPACT front light - https://omnico.co.za/ryder-light-100-dual On the strobe setting you are VISIBLE !! And it SITS on the handlebars, even while doing single track and corrugated sections. For the rear I bought this RYDER - https://www.rydercycling.co.za/ryder-products/lights/super-cob-usb-light-detail This gets set to an eratic strobe setting. I only use if for the tar sections to the trails. Then again for the tar section back home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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