Comment 87152

By bikehounds (anonymous) | Posted March 08, 2013 at 15:51:13 in reply to Comment 87123

This is an unfortunate problem with the fundamental view of bicycles in North America. In Germany, for example, there are very specific bicycle lighting rules that go as far as specifying light output and beam pattern - just as with cars. In North America, the bike is considered a recreational vehicle, so lighting is an afterthought.

Another problem is that most aftermarket lights are too dim, too flimsy, too easy to steal and end up being borderline useless.

A proper lighting system would be made of good materials and would be permanently attached to the bike, instead of being lashed on with elastics or crappy plastic clips.

At one point, we had GST exemption for "bikes under $1000", in order to encourage people to buy bikes for commuting. The price limit was to avoid people getting a break on very expensive recreational bikes. This policy clearly showed a lack of understanding on the part of the province as it is very easy to spend over $1000 on a good commuting bike - or cargo bike, etc. We lost this perk when HST came in, but maybe there is a better opportunity here...

What would be interesting is if we tweaked our bicycle lighting laws to be stricter in terms of the light output - and then offered a tax incentive to purchasers who buy bikes which include lighting systems which meet the criteria. We would see more proper commuter bikes available with integrated lighting systems which run from the front hub, as most European bikes do. And it would be a much better way to differentiate between recreational and utility bicycles.

We have built up several lighting systems for dedicated commuters, but it is generally more expensive than most people can stomach. To retrofit a recreational bike with a proper system involves buying a new hub, lacing it to a rim and then investing in the light itself, with costs running into the hundreds. If a bike includes these from the start, they are MUCH more affordable. But since these aren't often available here, many people can't get them even if they want. Yet this is the kind of system the ministry of transportation should be throwing their energies behind. Not those single LEDs running off a watch battery.

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