BIKE: Pandora's lights

[Michael Bluejay]

Just received an inquiry from a reader:

On Oct 27, 2004, at 6:09 AM, Adam Huisenfeldt wrote:

>     I live in Friendswood (a small suburb outside of Houston) and was 
> pulled over last night by Friendswood P.D. due to my bicycle lights.  
> My front light is a Cateye flashing white light and the rear is a red 
> flashing light of the same brand.  A relatively young officer pulled 
> me over last night and threatened me with a ticket, stating that "only 
> emergency vehicles are allowed to have flashing red, white or blue 
> lights".  I don't feel quite so safe with the lights not flashing as 
> I'm not so obvious whilst cycling after dark.  Was this officer 
> accurate?  Does this law apply to bicycles??  Please let me know and 
> THANK YOU!
>  
>  
> Sincerely,
> Adam Huisenfeldt
> Friendswood, TX.


I looked it up and here's what I found, which seems to apply only to 
motor vehicles:

----------------------------
Sec. 547.305.  RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF LIGHTS.  ... (c)  A person may 
not operate a motor vehicle equipped with a red, white, or blue beacon, 
flashing, or alternating light......
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.  Amended by 
Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 380, Sec. 1, eff. July 1, 1999.
-----------------------------


On the other hand, the following section says that cyclists are 
generally subject to the same provisions as other vehicles:

---------------------------------------------
Sec. 551.101. Rights and  Duties.
 
(a) A person operating a bicycle has the rights and duties  applicable 
to a driver operating a vehicle under this subtitle,  unless:
 
  (1) a provision of this chapter alters a right or duty;  or
 
(2) a right or duty applicable to a driver operating a  vehicle cannot 
by its nature apply to a person operating a  bicycle.
----------------------------------------------

That seems to make the whole thing a gray area.  It would be nice if 
this issue were clarified in the law, but it's not.

Let the debate begin.

-MBJ-
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