[bikerider]

What kind of law compliance issues has everyone come up against?

I was recently told that I have to get lights put on my bicycle or I could get a ticket.... I am not sure where they have to go however...

[hophead]

If you ride on the road at night, you should really have a red blinky tail light (at least one usually mounted on the seatpost) and some kind of headlight (usually mounted on the handlebars). These are mostly to be seen by drivers. Laws very, but it just makes good sense to make yourself as visible as possible. Don't become a statistic!

[Xela]

This is what my home city's law requires:

You must have a headlight, if riding at night, which is visible from 500 feet and a red rear light or rear reflector visible from 100 feet.

[Doomy]

What if you mount your "headlight" to your helmet, is it still considered a headlight?

[TxCyclist]

It depends on the city for that. Personally I've never gotten hassled over riding. Knock on wood.

[bantam700]

I know the state laws say you must have reflectors on your wheels and pedals and you must use a headlight when riding at night.

I highly doubt anyone around here has ever gotten a ticket for not having reflectors

[Grape Ape]

I googled "bicycle lighting laws Tennessee" and got a link to the actual "bicycle law handbook" Regarding lighting it states;

Every bicycle when used at night must be equipped with a front white headlight visible at a distance of 500 feet, and a red rear reflector visible at a distance of 50 feet.

The 500ft distance is not the distance you should be able to see the light but the distance that if you are coming from in front of you that the light can be seen by others. Like a weak flashlight in the dark, you can't see far with it but people can see it from a long ways away.

You can look here for the rules in your state. http://www.freewebs.com/92jeepwrangler/state%20bike%20laws.htm

[Oneway]

Check your home state Google Image Result for http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/23/cb/0b8f31b4478fabb118e796108bf5.jpeg then drop by your local police to ask how rigorous they enforce. Florida got real strict and enforce stop lights in areas with accident history. Fines and impact on your driver's liscence are the same as for a motor vehicle infraction. I've heard other states allow bikers to treat stop signs as yield signs. I like bike lanes when clearly marked

Towns should post levels of enforcement; cities should be more strict than a rural town.
In a city, can one bike on a pedestrian sidewalk?

[Industry_Hack]

When I worked for the NSW police in Australia, I learned that you needed a bell on your bike. I don't recall all the other requirements, but it was possible to rack up $400 in fines pretty quick.

[funetical]

I had a friend and his girl get pulled over on there bikes for not having reflectors. The officer ran background checks and ended up arresting her for parking tickets.