help making my wifes bike more visible.

hi guys,

i would like some help if possible please. i am new here and not sure if i am posting in the right section so sorry if this is out of place,

my wife passed her cbt last week and yesterday i brought her first bike. same as this but pink, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2011-Lexm...3273823?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item2c75b3b9df now being winter and her new to riding i want to make the bike more visible on the road so was thinking of running these down the side of the bike so she stands out at junctions http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2M-Dark-B...Night_Lights_Fairy_Lights&hash=item4abb773f71.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-water..._Lights_Fairy_Lights&var=&hash=item3f29509162

are these legal to have running down the side if the bike and has anyone had any experience with this type of thing? the first set runs of AA batteries the second set run of the bikes battery and i was wondering what the power drain would be if any as the would only be on when bike was running,


thanks for any help.

 

Nope the only neon/ lights that are legal on a bike are red, they have to be red and I'm pretty sure the have to be mounted on the rear

 

Well, there is not much you can do due to the law. You cant put any neon lights etc on the bike as apparently it makes other road users distracted etc etc. its stupid for me but thats just the law. You could try painting some bits with the fluorescent paint if that helps

 

A fuck load of reflectors? Reflecting race stripes with reflecting tape... Might even make the bike faster with stripes

 

well thanks for the info and help guys, so looks like leds are out for her then but i would assume i can add extra reflectors like these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trailer-a...ailers_Transporters_Parts&hash=item485c8dceb0 i can not see how these would break the law.

 

I think you can only have the orange reflectors on the side obviously red for rear and clear for front mate

 

The best thing to do is to either call DVLA or just ask the local police station on what is legal and what is not. as i don;t think any one on here is a law specialist, some may break the law and get away with it ans some may not have such a luck my mate got pulled over for having LED wheel nuts

 

I asked the local police about the neons/lights they said to my red are only allowed but the have to be mounted on the back facing backwards not too powerful

 

hi vis jacket, reflective wheel rim tape? and just put a few small stripes of reflective tap on the forks ect.

cant see much wrong with that!

 

crazy really when you think about it, on a motorbike you are at more risk than in a car yet when i drive every day i see cars with different colour headlight ranging from white to blue to green and purple, i see cars with neon lights added to the underneath and wipers of the cars and even inside the wheels them selfs. also every morning on my school run i see a car that has changed its rear window mounted brake to read F--KING STOP, been like this for months and in no way can it be legal.

 

crazy really when you think about it, on a motorbike you are at more risk than in a car yet when i drive every day i see cars with different colour headlight ranging from white to blue to green and purple, i see cars with neon lights added to the underneath and wipers of the cars and even inside the wheels them selfs. also every morning on my school run i see a car that has changed its rear window mounted brake to read F--KING STOP, been like this for months and in no way can it be legal.

 

what are daytime running lights? and are they legal?

 

I'm assuming lights that constantly stay on (head lights) but most bike have these...

 

As others have said Hi Vis and reflectors are good and if you are sensible with the application the bill won't nick you. But i think (note i said 'think') that you can pretty well do as you like with your clothing ! There are jackets and HiVis vests out there that are battery powered and light up. Don't limit youself to motorcycle/scooter gear, have a look at the stuff designed for cyclists. There is loads around.
You are right the single most important thing is to be SEEN and although (passive) high visability helps being in the right place in the road is even more important. Urge her to keep out of the gutter, ride in the traffic flow so the driver behind has no choice but to see you.
Hope she enjoys the new scoot and becomes a life long motorcyclist.

 

I run with headlights on all day and I have white L.E.D lights on the front as well, you can find them on the bay, not hard to fit, worth a try!