White reflective tape

[Strommerboy]

Am I allowed to stick white reflective tape to the rear of my panniers? I've received conflicting advice in this regard so I've decided to ask my fellow Vstrom riders for the definitive view. Thanks.

[Pug27]

I've always been under the impression that anything that emits or reflects white light, other than number plate light, to the rear is illegal.

[bosnjo]

I wanted to put reflective tape on my white helmet but it had to be red at the back and white only at the front. It doesn't look very nice to see red stripes on the white helmet but then, as I used it for safety reasons, I don't care. I was also adviced not to use white at the back of it as I could have problems with police.

[Timmo]

Bit confused by this, my jacket has white reflective tape on back and my boots have white reflective tape down back The new Volvo paint for life is white reflective,where is the legal position on this?

[Rusty Nuts]

White lights to rear, working vehicles or reversing only. White reflective material will reflect whatever colour is thrown at it.

[Kayaker413]

I asked my mate who sign writes, wraps vehicles for a living, including some responce vehicles.

According to him you can have anything you like the only thing is "total reflected light" apparently. Ie- there is guidelines saying you shouldn't cover an entire vehicle with reflective material but he is fairly sure that isn't law.

[frez]

As clothing is not part of the vehicle I can't see how vehicle rules apply, so I can't see any problem with white rear facing reflective tape on jackets, boots or helmets.

As far as retro reflective on vehicles for conspicuous marking purposes (HGV's and vehicles that need to stop on the highway), it's red or yellow to rear, yellow or white to side, white is not permitted to the rear.

[Joe Rocket]

Interesting about no white to the rear..........

All helmets sold here in France have four white reflective  stickers which are supposed to be stuck on both sides, front and REAR of the helmet by the purchaser to comply with European directive(s). I believe the directive was proposed to all European countries but only France transformed it to Law. It is not persued by the police or Gendarme.

You'll probably all know of failed attempts here to impose other safety regulations: breathalysers for all and day glow reflective material on motorcycle jackets are the most recent.

Emergency hi-viz vests must be carried here by riders from January 2016, there are tests for checking HP of motorbikes above 100BHP and a general 80kph speed limit being proposed, some areas are already located.

Bear in mind also that you can drink and drive here (not my recommendation) as there is a sliding scale of limits/penalties that fines you, removes licence points before banning you!  

[Brockett]

And all them bloody cones .... they are wrapped in white tape and no one is confused by them.

[pilky68]

Lights and reflectors are governed by

Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989
&
Section 41 Road Traffic Act.

If you check on the Gov Legislation Website you will still have no clue. Clear as mud.

I would suggest sticking to the red reflectors to be 100% safe from prosecution.

I have been a bobby for many years and never come across this problem.

[Buggrit]

I wear a hi-viz jacket over the top of my bike jacket and it has white reflective tapes to both front and rear - they are designed to make the wearer visible whatever/wherever they are, so anything that makes you more visible has to be a bonus.
I reckon the plod have enough to do without bothering about a couple of reflective tapes on your panniers. If stopped for it you can peel them off.
I fitted some white reflective rim tape to the wheels which would be seen from the side, I wonder how that stands?
More to the point, what about the bloke down our street who runs a totally matt black Audi A3 - he must have a death wish!  

mike.

[Hondaman]

Come to think of it, many years ago I applied some black reflective tape (it reflects white) to the top box, never had any issues.
I really really wouldn't worry about it

[Mitch]

Red reflective tape on rear of bike or panniers
Amber reflective tape on side of bike or panniers
White reflective tape facing forward if you need it.

Clothing is not a fixed part of bike and different rules apply.

Although someone will come along and disagree  

As a matter of interest why would you want white on the rear of the bike. Does it have white panniers?

[Rusty Nuts]

It looks black normally.
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/121498517197

And my panniers are not a fixed part of the bike.

[Strommerboy]

Thanks for all your contributions. The reason I asked about white reflective tape was that I have plenty of it and none of the yellow or red.

[Pedro41]

This has come up before.

Red and Amber/Yellow OK/allowed at rear (same as your number plate and red reflector)

Clothing, helmets, rucksacks, not included.As not subject to MOT or Road Vehicle Lighting regs.

viewtopic.php?f=115&t=25745

[Brucey]

White shows up the best at night, yellow during the day. I've got silver/white? on my boxes and never had an issue with plod. An ex-traffic plod friend of mine said that the only colour that could cause problems is blue, and even then you'd have to have a lot of it before they got interested. Regardless of what the letter of the law says, as Buggrit rightly points out, they've got much more important things to do than worry about something that is intended to make you more visible to others (for safety, not impersonating Old Bill), and you could always remove it if they were that bothered.

[biglad]

I've got white reflective tape on my bike. I fitted it to the handguards, engine bars and the givi trekker top box. I filled in some of the black panels with it and the stuff I have is white day and night. I've been followed numerous times by the police and never been stopped.

Might need to takecmy topbox for the mot in a year!