BIKE: Re: Pandora's lights

[Michael Zakes]

simple fix, most blinky lights are set up to run steady as well, so say
something like "sorry, officer, I must have bumped it" and switch to solid
mode.

but it would be a good thing to have codified in law

Michael F Zakes, prop.
Waterloo Cycles
2815 Fruth
Austin TX 78705
512.472.9253

"I think the burden is on those people who think he didn't have weapons of
mass
destruction to tell the world where they are."

Ari Fleischer, on July 9, 2003.


mail


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Bluejay" <bikes>
To: "Austin Bikes" <forum>
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2004 2:20 PM
Subject: BIKE: Pandora's lights


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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