snudgy Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 HI all. Whilst in france and Germany this year I notice some motorhomes that carryed bikes on there rear carriers, had warning triangles or something simular strapped to the bikes, is this a requirement in some countries. I do know in England if something over hangs by 1 or 2 meters?not sure which now, a warning trangle is required with illuminations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike B. Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 It's advisable in France & Northern Europe and I believe it's compulsory in Spain and Portugal. If your bike rack sticks out the back of your van, it's advisable anyway in case some dope walks into it and tries to blame you Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rupert123 Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 snudgy - 2010-08-02 9:43 PM HI all. Whilst in france and Germany this year I notice some motorhomes that carryed bikes on there rear carriers, had warning triangles or something simular strapped to the bikes, is this a requirement in some countries. I do know in England if something over hangs by 1 or 2 meters?not sure which now, a warning trangle is required with illuminations? Do you mean the square with the diagonal red strips. Needed in Spain but we leave ours on all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayjsj Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Are they needed on a Backbox mounted on a bike carrier ? It's brilliant white with reflectors you'd have to be blind to walk (or drive) into it. 8-) Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebbyvid Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 I toured France in June with backbox on cycle rack and as you say its big enough and white so shouldnt be missed.(Idid carry a roll of red and white hazard tape just in case though *-) *-) ). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo3090 Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 Rayjsj - 2010-08-02 10:30 PM Are they needed on a Backbox mounted on a bike carrier ? It's brilliant white with reflectors you'd have to be blind to walk (or drive) into it. 8-) Ray You are joking Ray! I was once at a fire where a bright yellow fire engine, with all it's warning lights on, hose coming from the back, smoke and flames coming from a car in front of it and the driver working the pump in his yellow leggings and a hi viz jacket was run into by someone who didn't see it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philman Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 I think they are compulsory in Italy. I always have my board on the back of the van wherever I am. Phil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dshague Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 do you have to have the warning triangle on when the bike rack is in the closed position with no bike on rack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mondo Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 I only found out via this forum that they were compulsory in Spain..not that the Spaniards I saw ever bothered.. but you don't give the Guardia Civil any chances to pull you.. as they can find enough of their own..I always left mine on with or without bikes on.. bungee strap worked admirably....But apparently you have to have the metal one in Italy not the plastic one?? So what is the difference then ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handyman Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 mondo - 2010-08-10 8:24 PM apparently you have to have the metal one in Italy not the plastic one?? So what is the difference then ?? The entire surface is reflective, not just the the 4 disks thats on the plastic ones. Its much better, but much more expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BGD Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 mondo - 2010-08-10 8:24 PM I only found out via this forum that they were compulsory in Spain..not that the Spaniards I saw ever bothered.. but you don't give the Guardia Civil any chances to pull you.. as they can find enough of their own..I always left mine on with or without bikes on.. bungee strap worked admirably....But apparently you have to have the metal one in Italy not the plastic one?? So what is the difference then ?? There was another thread on this a couple of months ago. Living and travelling in Spain, I estimate (rough guess only!) that perhaps 10% of non-Spanish MH's seen here have these relective board thingies attached to their bikes on bike racks, and less that 1% of Spanish reg'd MH's. I'm NOT saying don't put one on your van; I'm simply observing that in practice, almost no-one bothers in Spain. The whole cultural approach here to what the Spanish people might regard as "minor bureaucratic rules" is somewhat different than in Northern European countries. It's difficult for us Northern Europeans to come to terms with unless you've lived here for a while. In Northern Europe, there is a strong culture that "we obey the law, regardless of how petty we might think it is".....backed up by an effective State-legal enforcement system, and thus fear of consequences. In the Med countries there's a completely different approach: much more of a concept of " it's up to me, I'm responsible for what I do, and it's not for the State to tell me hwat to do". This is compounded by a low level of State/Regional Govenment enforcement system. I guess we each hev to decide which we personally consider to be the "better" type of Government/control/freedom/personal responsibility culture. Northern Europeans cannot comprehend just how inefficient the Government & legal systems are down here and how many people completely flout lots of laws of the land. Southern Europeans simply cannot comprehend how bound up by "stupid" minor regulations the Northern Europeans are, and why they allow the Governments to dictate to/ interfere in and rule almost every tiny detail of their lives and work. Each system has benefits and costs; but each to their own...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 handyman - 2010-08-11 7:49 AM mondo - 2010-08-10 8:24 PM apparently you have to have the metal one in Italy not the plastic one?? So what is the difference then ?? The entire surface is reflective, not just the the 4 disks thats on the plastic ones. Its much better, but much more expensive. To be legal yes, but the plastic ones are made by Fiamma an Italian Company! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handyman Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 the aluminium one is also made by Fiamma as well...........whats that got to do with my post? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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