CVC question

[FanTactical]

Hi guys,

Not a gun related question, but you guys always give great advice so here goes. I'm a motorcycle rider and want to be as visible as possible, especially at night. I had the idea to add bicycle lights to my motorcycle mounted on the turn signal stems - two white LED lights facing fwd. and two red LED lights facing to the rear.

What are the regulations related to adding additional lighting? Specifically, is there a light intensity limit, and can I use them in flashing mode (as you often see on bicycles)?

The lights would be directed slightly downward so as not to blind on-coming traffic but the strobe would keep me from getting lost in the headlights of cars behind me.

I didn't find anything in the CVC specific to this. Thanks for your help.

[RickD427]

Hi guys,

Not a gun related question, but you guys always give great advice so here goes. I'm a motorcycle rider and want to be as visible as possible, especially at night. I had the idea to add bicycle lights to my motorcycle mounted on the turn signal stems - two white LED lights facing fwd. and two red LED lights facing to the rear.

What are the regulations related to adding additional lighting? Specifically, is there a light intensity limit, and can I use them in flashing mode (as you often see on bicycles)?

The lights would be directed slightly downward so as not to blind on-coming traffic but the strobe would keep me from getting lost in the headlights of cars behind me.

I didn't find anything in the CVC specific to this. Thanks for your help.

Fan,

You're ok with solid lamps as you've described.

Forget about the flashing lamps

Please refer to the following VC sections:

24402 - Driving lamps (solid white forward) permitted (to a max of four lamps forward - 24405 CVC)

24600 - One or more taillamps (solid red) permitted.

25250 - Flashing lights prohibited unless specifically permitted by code.

[Spanky8601]

OP Rick above pretty much nailed it. I might add that wearing a highly reflectorized vest, like green stripes helps. For night time use you might consider reflectors strips for your helmet.

[FanTactical]

Thanks guys.

I have a semi-high vis helmet and plan to buy a reflective vest. Curious why flashing lights are okay on a bicycle. Is it because a motorcycle is categorized as a motor vehicle vs. a non-motorized bike?

Another idea I had was attaching clip-on flashing LED lights to the back of my jacket? This would make me visible and shouldn't run afoul of CVC because they are on my person.

My seeming hang up with flashing lights is that they attract a lot more attention than plain red lighting and reflective material only works at night.

Just looking to explore all reasonable options.

[P5Ret]

I personally would avoid flashing lights on anything I'm driving riding on the roadway at night. Have you ever noticed that when CHP does a traffic stop on the freeway at night they turn off the rear flashing lights? They do this because some say that some people focus on the flashing lights and steer right into it, mostly drunks if memory serves. A lot of cop cars construction equipment have been hit on the side of the road with flashing lights on for me to think there is at least some truth to the theory.

[74c5]

Fantactical
You're taking the right approach. Conspicuity is money in the bank.
You can also look at the 3M SOLAS tapes to provide some rear facing reflection. I think we're still a red only to the rear state. I don't exactly comply but, it is only to highlight the red tape I do have.
For the front facing lights, arrange them in a triangle as much as you can. Two lights lower seem to be much more noticeable than three in a row. Also, don't forget this fact: Having extra lights could mean you are in more danger. If they're too bright, or poorly aimed, a driver's gaze might be averted from you taking away the cage drivers ability to sense speed and distance. Most of the LEDs out there have too much illumination and too little beam pattern cut-off to prevent blinding oncoming traffic. Something that shows a fog type pattern against a wall is what you're looking for....then aim them properly.
The rear visibility is my worry spot since you can't always be looking in the mirrors when stopped. I haven't replaced any bulbs with LEDs back there since there is a computer voltage/current control that might not be happy. There are a lot of products out there though that can, and do, work.
How, and when, you ride is also a factor in being seen.
Be safe.

[CinnamonBear723]

Thanks guys.

I have a semi-high vis helmet and plan to buy a reflective vest. Curious why flashing lights are okay on a bicycle. Is it because a motorcycle is categorized as a motor vehicle vs. a non-motorized bike?

Another idea I had was attaching clip-on flashing LED lights to the back of my jacket? This would make me visible and shouldn't run afoul of CVC because they are on my person.

My seeming hang up with flashing lights is that they attract a lot more attention than plain red lighting and reflective material only works at night.

Just looking to explore all reasonable options.

Lighting for bikes is specifically regulated by its own vehicle codes. I think the whole strobing light on a bike things is over looked as a violation sometimes because at least it brings attention to the cyclist. If you were to ask me, if you read the law for what it is, one could argue that while the light is strobing, there are fractions of a second where the light is not illuminating the roadway, thus violation the vehicle code. But thats just me.........I may have the pleasure of being on a DA Video someday though as a result........