Cycle racks and warning signs

[Madcaravanner]

OK got a bike rack and one of those red and white warning signs with reflectors for when the bikes are on

BUT

When the bike rack is empty (and folded up)do you still have to put the warning sign on it

I have tried but can find no guidance

 

[Lenny HB]

No because the overhang is not long enough.
I hope you remember to turn it through 90 deg when it the UK.

 

[Madcaravanner]

No because the overhang is not long enough.
I hope you remember to turn it through 90 deg when it the UK.

Pour Quai

 

[jockaneezer]

Pour Quai

....cos the diagonals are supposed to point to the offside

 

[Zigisla]

....cos the diagonals are supposed to point to the offside

My OCD. wont have fiamma displayed any way other than straight. Clearly our Feds don't know as I have been followed sooo many times and never pulled up for it.

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[Figaro]

....cos the diagonals are supposed to point to the offside

Never heard that one before.....every day`s a school day

BTW I can`t see it ever being enforced

 

[davidbaldam]

In Italy you need to display the sign, you might get away with it but is it worth it for the sake of fixing it on your bike rack.

 

[Kingham]

No because the overhang is not long enough.
I hope you remember to turn it through 90 deg when it the UK.

You are correct that the sign does not need to be displayed when the bike rack is folded up, but you're not correct about turning it through 90 degrees in the UK.

The sign is not required in the UK so can be sky blue pink and stood on its head and would still not contravene UK legislation

 

[Allanm]

I don't believe they are required in France either. They are compulsory in Spain and Italy, but it has to be a metal sign in Italy.

 

[XRN]

@jockaneezer How do the diagonals point to the off side as there are no arrows on the diagonals? Whichever way up it is the diagonals will always point to the off side on one side, it may be upwards one way 7 to 1 o'clock, and downwards the other way 11 to 5 but still pointing offside (and inside if you take the leftside of the diagonal)?

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[davidathomas42]

I think those signs are health and safety gone mad as usual.

It's a MASSIVE Motorhome for gods sake. If you can't see it or it's bikes that are also NOT SMALL You have no business been on the road

 

[jockaneezer]

@jockaneezer How do the diagonals point to the off side as there are no arrows on the diagonals? Whichever way up it is the diagonals will always point to the off side on one side, it may be upwards one way 7 to 1 o'clock, and downwards the other way 11 to 5 but still pointing offside (and inside if you take the leftside of the diagonal)?

Now you've made my head hurt.

 

[TerryL]

Anyone ever been stopped in Italy for the sign not being metal? Mine isn't but is permanently attached to the back box (which incidentally is mounted on a Thule tow-bar rack with lights/number plate). Heading that way in a couple of weeks.

 

[Kevan]

Whoops?






This reflective warning board 50 x 50 cm is made for the identification of projecting loads of camping vehicles, bicyle racks, trailers, caravans, boat trailers, car bike racks and other prolonging extensions.
The warning board 500x500mm, which is is obligatory in Italy and Spain for loads sticking out to the rear, have to be mounted clearly visible.

INFORMATIONEN WARNING BOARD SPAIN/b>
If you drive in neighbouring European countries, you should be familiar with their traffic regulations. This is true not only for your holiday destination but also for transit countries.
As for Spain, it is an obligation to fix a warning panel for the charge-marking (camper, caravan or car). Said warning panel has to comply with special requirements. Following the applicable traffic rules it has to be normalized and used in the cases specified by law.

In Spain the warning board must have:
• 3 red/ 3 white hatched, reflective stripes
• a size of 50 x 50 cm
• been manufactured from aluminium
• 4 eyelets for attachement

In Italy the warning board must have:
• 5 red/ 4 white hatched, reflective stripes
• a size of 50 x 50 cm
• been manufactured from aluminium
• 4 eyelets for attachement

The warning board must be installed for example if:
• a bicycle rear carrier is attached (with or without load), even when folded
• an object is transported on the vehicle´s top carrier (surfboard or the like) and extends beyond the rear bumper
• a load extends the vehicle´s total length (note the logbook).

Why this warning sign?
This warning sign is applicable for BOTH countries, you can simply "change" the country by turning the warning sign, so there is no need to maintain two warning signs.

 

[gus-lopez]

My OCD. wont have fiamma displayed any way other than straight. Clearly our Feds don't know as I have been followed sooo many times and never pulled up for it.

If you look at it sensibly the logo is correct for lhd countries.

Anyone ever been stopped in Italy for the sign not being metal? Mine isn't but is permanently attached to the back box (which incidentally is mounted on a Thule tow-bar rack with lights/number plate). Heading that way in a couple of weeks.

No but I have been stopped in Spain where metal is also the legal requirement. Also stopped for not having one.

& to the op On my spanish mh even though the bike rack is homologated & on the log book I am expected to use the board when folded up because the extended length is in excess of the measurements of the MH , which are all on the log book.

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[TerryL]

No but I have been stopped in Spain where metal is also the legal requirement. Also stopped for not having one.

Thanks, may just pop in to local caravan spares place to see if they've got a metal one.

 

[movan]

@jockaneezer How do the diagonals point to the off side as there are no arrows on the diagonals? Whichever way up it is the diagonals will always point to the off side on one side, it may be upwards one way 7 to 1 o'clock, and downwards the other way 11 to 5 but still pointing offside (and inside if you take the leftside of the diagonal)?

 

[obanvanman]

Anyone ever been stopped in Italy for the sign not being metal? Mine isn't but is permanently attached to the back box (which incidentally is mounted on a Thule tow-bar rack with lights/number plate). Heading that way in a couple of weeks.

We have been touring Italy and surrounds for 6 months and have not seen one vehicle being stopped by the Police for anything.
Even some of the Italian vans dont have metal signs.
Far more important things to worry about whilst driving in Italy, in fact I cannot think of anything more worrying than driving in Italy.

 

[JJ]

A question to Funsters who tie on that sign thingy to their bike rack.

Do you do it because you really think it is a good idea, and it will stop people hitting your bikes or...

...do you do it because a faceless group of suited bureaucrats, who are constantly trying to justify their job, with its indexed linked pension, decided it might be a good idea?

Just wondering


JJ

 

[Sabino]

@JJ
I do it because we were fined €80 ( €40 for paying quickly). We were also escorted by the 2 motorbikes to a garage which sold them.

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[El-Nido]

If you're really worried about getting a metal sign: http://www.vancomfort.co.uk/bikeandcarriercovers.htm

 

[JJ]

@JJ
I do it because we were fined €80 ( €40 for paying quickly). We were also escorted by the 2 motorbikes to a garage which sold them.

Spain?


JJ

 

[Steve devon]

I've got an aluminium one for sale if anyone is interested

 

[Madcaravanner]

I been thinking and messaged a question to the Spanish Police group on Facebook (N332- if you know Benidorm and Calpe you know the route) this is their answer

As a general rule the signal V-20 is a plate made of aluminum, but Trafico authorizes other materials with similar characteristics as long as they have made of durable material with no sharp edges and the measures are 50cm x 50cm.

So whilst metal is the correct material a durable material is allowed

 

[tacr2man]

Little footnote , if the white is retroreflective not just white paint then technically its an offense to use at rear in UK

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[Madcaravanner]

Little footnote , if the white is retroreflective not just white paint then technically its an offense to use at rear in UK

Why as the boards are not a requirement in the UK

 

[xsparks]

Are these boards required if you have a tow ball mounted rack with its own lighting board?

 

[tacr2man]

Why as the boards are not a requirement in the UK

@Madcaravanner no not a requirement in UK unless could be used if over 1mtr overhang , but in UK any retroreflective material is treated as light of same colour for purposes of RVLR 1989 , any not allowed to show white light to rear HTSH

 

[tacr2man]

Are these boards required if you have a tow ball mounted rack with its own lighting board?

Yes in Italy Spain Portugal

 

[gus-lopez]

Little footnote , if the white is retroreflective not just white paint then technically its an offense to use at rear in UK

EU rules take precedence over national laws.
That's also why the high level 3rd brake light is legal in the Uk when C&U states only 2 ,one either side, are allowed.