Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) Sign On Bicycles

[Jim1348]

With some recent posts on here about bicycle headlights, taillights and other safety equipment, it made me think about other vehicles that share the streets and highways that are traveling slowly. I grew up on a dairy farm. We had a number of tractors and other farm implements. We always had a Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) sign on them.

Granted, bicycles aren't farm implements and SMV signs are too large and too heavy for bikes, but perhaps there is something worth thinking about. Should bicycles have a mini-SMV? If they did, would a smaller one even be effective? I have read that Europe, generally, and Germany, specifically, has more standard regulations for bicycle headlights and taillights.

While I am generally resistant to more laws and regulations, may be the Germans are on to something

StVzo - what is it and why is it so important?

StvZO regulation regulating the admission of vehicles to road traffic, including bicycles, which you need to know during your trip to Germany!

www.mikesport.eu

Also, I Googled and saw that the topic of a Slow Moving Vehicle Sign on a Bicycle has been discussed in the past on other forums.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Slo...NmowajSoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#ip=1

 

[PCeBiker]

I couldn't bring myself to wear a high visibility shirt, so I cut a sleeve off and I'm using it as a Slow Moving Vehicle sign of sorts,..

I was contemplating making a high visibility seat cover but I couldn't bring myself to ride like that.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I have read that Europe, generally, and Germany, specifically, has more standard regulations for bicycle headlights and taillights.

Germany is too obsessive with their bicycle regulations. While the StVzo has indeed improved the bicycle lighting quality (I'm surprised how visible many of Polish night cyclists have become!) the German regulations force you to have reflective strips on tires, reflective pedals etc, ignoring the fact many bike types (such as road or gravel or MTB) simply do not need such features as these are not ridden in the urban environment. Where these are, however, ridden, Germany has provided cyclists with an impressive cycling infrastructure.

Bike, or e-bike is not a Slow-Moving Vehicle. First of all, these vehicles are not slow. Secondly, they do not occupy a big portion of the road (as tractors do), and they are maneuverable (unlike tractors).

The great (even if controversial) thing the EU has enforced was limiting the e-bike speed to 25 km/h (15.5 mph) and treating the e-bike exactly as it were a regular bicycle. North America would not accept such a restriction!

A U.S. Class 3 e-bike is a fast moving vehicle, a moped.

 

[Nvreloader]

Jim,
Here is what I use on my bike when traveling on the pavement/roads around here:

Head on view: https://imgbb.com/cQWS2VD

Rear view: https://ibb.co/D91M3Px

It does make a difference around here.
HTH's

 

[Jim1348]

Interesting. Had you had instances of vehicles getting to close to you, thus the accessory?

Or, did you just add that to make sure it doesn't happen?

 

[AvalancheRun]

Here in Texas the anti-bike crowd tends to push for as much regulation as possible (ironic) for bicycles. They want mandatory registration, insurance, etc. Just removing the car parking minimum requirements for new construction in Austin has caused heads to explode.

It’s as if bicycles are killing 40-50k Americans per year. I’m of the opinion that cars and trucks need to be more regulated. Speed reductions in town, more traffic enforcement (it’s a Wild West right now), less city rail estate dedicated to storage of cars. We subsidize storage of private property so drivers can park anywhere for free/cheap.

I do support better regulations on bicycle lights, at the seller level. Just think we all too often ignore the invisible elephant in the room which is that cars have a hugely negative effect on city life. Let’s regulate them and provide better infrastructure optimized for city life.

Next to a 4-way stop that virtually every car rolls through.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

It’s as if bicycles are killing 40-50k Americans per year. I’m of the opinion that cars and trucks need to be more regulated. Speed reductions in town, more traffic enforcement (it’s a Wild West right now), less city rail estate dedicated to storage of cars. We subsidize storage of private property so drivers can park anywhere for free/cheap.

Yeah. But right now it is more like 20k Americans are killed by automobiles every year. Still, that number is much higher (both in absolute terms, and in per capita and per mile terms) than in countries that America would consider its peers in things like that.

What I don't think Americans have realized (and if (or when) they did realize I think there would be a widespread public revolt) just how far they have diverged in "quality of life" from other civilized nations.

At the same time, I think that most Americans would have a collective freakout if you took actual constructive measures to reduce auto fatalities. And there would be a large group of people arguing (with a straight face) that it is okay to let a certain number of people die in auto accidents if they can get to Target three minutes sooner.

 

[Nvreloader]

Jim
Right after I got my bike in Jan 2022, I have been run off the road by a local commercial truck/trailer that passed me and I could have touched the vehicle when it went by, I had to take evasive action as so not to be hit with the trailer, driver was looking in the side mirror watching me as he passed by and crowded me off the pavement and into a 4 stand barded wire fence.
NO other vehicles coming or going, no injuries to me, other than my brand new Wart HOg MD 750 got some pin striping, other than that I was hunting his hide, for being so STUPID,
then a OLD Lady in a white Ford truck did almost the same thing in the same area, on the same day, I gave her an azz chewing when I found her in town.
I decided, I needed some protection, so I made my traffic stick, was
It cleared with all the local LE offices, and I have 2 sheet rock screws in the end/side of my traffic safety stick that WILL leave deep scratches in the side of a vehicle, which the local LE know about, plus 3 mini action cameras on the bike and running when on pavement, front/back and on my helmet, so they know who to get, if I don't survive etc.
Since I have added the traffic safety stick, all vehicle's (so FAR) have given me the 3' safety area when passing, all thou I have had a couple of beer bottles thrown at me when they pass by, the local LE loves the camera footage.
Here is another photo of the traffic safety stick mounting on the back of my Wart Hog MD 750 back rack.

20220602-144302 hosted at ImgBB

Image 20220602-144302 in Nvreloader's images album

ibb.co

HTH's,
Don

 

[Jim1348]

Here in Texas the anti-bike crowd tends to push for as much regulation as possible (ironic) for bicycles. They want mandatory registration, insurance, etc. Just removing the car parking minimum requirements for new construction in Austin has caused heads to explode.

It’s as if bicycles are killing 40-50k Americans per year. I’m of the opinion that cars and trucks need to be more regulated. Speed reductions in town, more traffic enforcement (it’s a Wild West right now), less city rail estate dedicated to storage of cars. We subsidize storage of private property so drivers can park anywhere for free/cheap.

I do support better regulations on bicycle lights, at the seller level. Just think we all too often ignore the invisible elephant in the room which is that cars have a hugely negative effect on city life. Let’s regulate them and provide better infrastructure optimized for city life.

View attachment 168082
Next to a 4-way stop that virtually every car rolls through.

I live only 12 miles from Minneapolis, so I am very well aware it is the Wild West in some places.

The next thing you know people will want something done about all the carjackings in the Twin Cites, too!

 

[indianajo]

I wear this high-vis ANSI class 2 vest. It is brighter than a SMV sign because color blind people see red as the same grey color as asphalt pavement. The grey stripes are reflective at night. Draped across my torso, it is bigger than an SMV sign, but weighs less. Available from mcmaster.com grainger.com and sometimes, the flea market.
Just rode home in the dark from an evening concert 6 miles away. Everybody moved over politely except one pickup mashed the throttle as his tailpipe passed me. For the 1/2 mile where there is a marked bike lane, I used it.
I have a flashing Garmin Varia taillight and a flashing Catseye 400 headlight. The headlight flashes dim/bright, not off/bright.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Interesting. Had you had instances of vehicles getting to close to you, thus the accessory?

Or, did you just add that to make sure it doesn't happen?

I have had a few. I doubt the flag would have done anything since they know better in oregon.
I was on the road and with the parked cars I was almost in the middle of the lane to stay out of door range. no traffic so easy for people to pass one asshole and his buddy in a pick screamed and yelled at me to get out of the road. of course they hit the light and I was behind them. they wanted mt to come up beside them while they were yelling at me. like right sure. I got out my phone and let them see me taking a picot their truck and license. but then when the light turned they crossed then pulled over. so I had to pass them and then I saw them coming to pass me I got on the sidewalk just in case. sure wish I had my bike cameras with me at the time.

 

[Jim1348]

I wear this high-vis ANSI class 2 vest. It is brighter than a SMV sign because color blind people see red as the same grey color as asphalt pavement. The grey stripes are reflective at night. Draped across my torso, it is bigger than an SMV sign, but weighs less. Available from mcmaster.com grainger.com and sometimes, the flea market.
Just rode home in the dark from an evening concert 6 miles away. Everybody moved over politely except one pickup mashed the throttle as his tailpipe passed me. For the 1/2 mile where there is a marked bike lane, I used it.
I have a flashing Garmin Varia taillight and a flashing Catseye 400 headlight. The headlight flashes dim/bright, not off/bright.

Indianajo, that is a good move. I typically wear a Utility Pro UHV563 jacket in orange for my fall rides.

I also have an orange Walls vest that I wear pretty much any time I ride. I like the inner pocket to hold my smartphone and the hi visibility orange color. Plus, it has the reflective taping on it.

A couple of my other hobbies are horseback riding and ATV/UTVing. The hi-hiz orange works well for all of my hobbies!

Utility Pro™ Official Site | High Visibility Safety Apparel

Utility Pro™ Wear is the leading USA manufacturer of high visibility ANSI Class 2 and 3 Jackets, Bombers, overalls, and more!

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Hi-Vis ANSI II Premium Safety Vest | Walls®

Whether you're out on the roadside or pre-dawn job sites, our ANSI Class 2 safety vest will ensure you light up in headlights, flashlights, and flood lights.

www.walls.com