Bicycle racks on tow bar.

[Sepia]

Hi

I am trying to have a tow-bar fitted onto my vehicle and am told by one supplier to fit a removable tow bar because it is illegal to have a fixed one. The reason for this is because the ball itself covers the numberplate. I have also been told that all new bicycle racks sold over the past three months have number plate brackets fitted as standard? I know of some cyclist who have already been fined.

Is this this a new Mr Plod trick to grab more money? Is anybody able to enlighten me on this subject? Car manufacturers say exactly the same as the police. I seems the tow bar fitters could not care which bar is fitted.

Any suggestions?

Edited February 14, 2011 by Sepia

[American Flyers]

Get yourself another number plate and tie around the bike with elastic rope to avoid the fines... Anything that block the number plate, will get fines... That is law!!

[Sepia]

Yes, thanks. I am aware of this, hence my question. I sometimes do not understand the law though!

Cheers

[Guest Big H]

What about the new style metal number plates...... would a substitute plastic number plate suffice. What does the law say here....... I think there may be a new angle on this!!!!!!! Be carefull about the advice you give.

[Choppie]

Good question BigH. If the new law says your number plate must be riveted to your car then how does that apply to a bike rack's number plate? I don't know if this law has been applied yet.

[shawn]

I went through a roadblock 2 weeks ago with 3 bikes on my rack, fortunately for me i had a number plate made which i place on the rack visible for all to see. The police officer went to the back to inspect my "blocked" plate only to find i had one tied to the racks, surprisingly he was very complimentary and gave some praise for my efforts, in checking my drivers license etc he was quick to point out that they had already fined 2 previous vehicles for obstructing their number plates with bike racks ..

[ronniebuis]

Get yourself another number plate and tie around the bike with elastic rope to avoid the fines... Anything that block the number plate, will get fines... That is law!!

Fact - obscure your plate - you are in K_K !!. But, you are also required to illuminate your plate so, hanging one on a bike (at night anyway) will not suffice. Some overzealous Cuntstable Plod may exercise this law during daylight anyway - depends on whether he needs his bonus. My Thule has a dedicated illuminated spot for the plate so, as it was made before XXXX date, it must comply. You may also not protrude beyond the width of your vehicle - I have a problem with my tandem. Isn't cycling a fun challenge ??

[reteid]

the law is an ass.

[pastapouch]

the law is an ass.

true, you must see how they let overloaded, unroadworthy bakkies and taxis through at roadblocks. So it doesn't matter how decend yu car with bike rack looks, they'll find something.

[Guest Big H]

Fact - obscure your plate - you are in K_K !!. But, you are also required to illuminate your plate so, hanging one on a bike (at night anyway) will not suffice. Some overzealous Cuntstable Plod may exercise this law during daylight anyway - depends on whether he needs his bonus. My Thule has a dedicated illuminated spot for the plate so, as it was made before XXXX date, it must comply. You may also not protrude beyond the width of your vehicle - I have a problem with my tandem. Isn't cycling a fun challenge ??

 

Who says you may not protrude beyong the width of the car...... what about caravans?????

[Guest Big H]

true, you must see how they let overloaded, unroadworthy bakkies and taxis through at roadblocks. So it doesn't matter how decend yu car with bike rack looks, they'll find something.

 

Maar jy het geld boet..... en hulle weet dit deur net na jou te kyk..... ek wonder hoe??????

[ricochet_rabbit]

It's not only your number plates. On some vehicles you might also be obscuring your tail & indicator lights which i believe is also illegal. You Gauteng boys are going to have to be careful. This whole SANRAL issue will have them keeping a close eye on number plates.

[ronniebuis]

Who says you may not protrude beyong the width of the car...... what about caravans?????

A caravan is classified as a vehicle in it's own right - you are paying a licence fee for it. A bicycle is classified as a "load" being carried on / by a vehicle. Just another way to milk the easy target. Even with the wheels removed my tandem is marginally wider than my car - I am not prepared to take the risk of sponsoring some useless lazy over-officious Cuntstable for his next donut. See our cops in PE (or, rather, don't see them during the day). BUT, as soon as there is some after hours activity, cricket at St Georges Park, they all swarm out of their hidey-holes. Why ? - OVERTIME ou boet, OVERTIME !!!!!

[KDEE]

Hi

I am trying to have a tow-bar fitted onto my vehicle and am told by one supplier to fit a removable tow bar because it is illegal to have a fixed one. The reason for this is because the ball itself covers the numberplate

 

This part of your question is easy... Even without the bike rack, many cars have towbars fitted where the ball obscures the number plate (number plate mounted low on the bumper). Other cars have the numberplate fitted high up on the body and in this case, would not be a problem.

 

If your numberplate will be obscured by the ball part of the towbar once fitted, a removable ball would the way to abide by the law.

 

I know of no law that says it it is illegal to have a fixed ball or hook on the tow bar. Obscuring the numberplate with a towbar or other, is against the law..

 

Which bike rack you use and what you do with the lights/numberplates is a diff question.

[Sepia]

Thanks Guys.

I know there is a step up on the Natal front to fine for "illegal cycle racks". There seems to be a run of cyclist getting fined for this in Durban at present. Thanks for the info, thoughts and ideas.

Edited February 15, 2011 by Sepia

[AndreZA]

Remember that they can fine you if your lights are obstructed aswell.