Quote:
Originally Posted by jyl
Why does any of that apply to bicycles?. It applies to "vehicles" and
CVC sec 670
A "vehicle" is a device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved, or drawn upon a highway, excepting a device moved exclusively by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
It looks to me like only CVC 21200-21212 apply to bicycles.
CVC sec 231
A bicycle is a device upon which any person may ride, propelled exclusively by human power through a belt, chain, or gears, and having one or more wheels. Persons riding bicycles are subject to the provisions of this code specified in Sections 21200 and 21200.5.
CVC 21200 through 21212 are titled Operation of Bicycles. There is nothing about blinking/flashing lights on bikes except that they cannot be flashing blue lights.
I think the OP should contact the CHP and bring the officer's error to the attention of his superiors.
I also am unimpressed by the claim that bike flashing lights might cause epileptic seizures. I've never seen any data showing that this actually happens often enough to care about. Anything "might" happen.
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I would tend to agree, but CVC 21200 reads,
(a) A person riding a bicycle or operating a pedicab upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this division, including, but not limited to, provisions concerning driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs, and by Division 10 (commencing with Section 20000), Section 27400, Division 16.7 (commencing with Section 39000), Division 17 (commencing with Section 40000.1), and Division 18 (commencing with Section 42000), except those provisions which by their very nature can have no application.
Possibly the "not limited to" part could allow one (say a LEO) to pull in other vehicle provisions, like white flashing strobe lights, if they see fit. It is interesting that a flashing
red light is allowed on the rear of a bicycle, but not on a car.
I don't think anyone has heard of regulating strobes on any type of vehicle due to possible seizures.
Edit: I just re read the OP, noticed that the officer wasn't aware of a law prohibiting the flashing lights. It was just his opinion that they could cause seizures. Yes, time to go to the CHP and call the officer out.