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Bike racks and number plates

by Cooks
Thu, Dec 29, 2011 20:01
5

Just bought my first bike rack, and have tried it out. Bike fits nice, although I forgot to ask the sales fella at my LBS about number plates/lights and what not. What are the legalities regarding these and their visibility?

here's my bike in situ...

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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5 comments

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mattsccm | 13 years ago
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Just dangling the plate won't do. It won't be illuminated.
If you want it correct you cannot have the lights obscured in anyway. This includes any reflectors, number plate lights or reversing lights. I suppose failiure to have a less than perfect system might give the idiot who drives into you a good argument with the insurance companies.
Despite this I fit mine high enough for the plate to show and make sure that the lights can be seen through the spokes with no frame bits in the way.

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PJ McNally | 13 years ago
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you can get a plate for £5 on ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Number-Plates-Registration-Plates-100-Legal-cheapest-ebay-/330665023521?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4cfd2bd821#ht_752wt_712

or if you want a euro GB symbol it's £5.49

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100-Road-Legal-GB-EURO-Number-Plate-MOT-Standards-/350517363103?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item519c76819f

I just got mine - drove Oxford to Reading this morning with the bike on the rack, funnily enough was just thinking about getting a plate, when i saw this thread.

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Stumps | 13 years ago
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You need to have the reg plate visible / readable otherwise you will get pulled.

Pop into one of your local stores that make up reg plates and get one done. Wrap some string around it and have it hanging over the bike (covered by some suitable material to stop it damaging your bike) and you will be fine. A typical place will charge you a tenner for a basic plate.

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Cooks replied to Stumps | 13 years ago
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I thought as much. Cheers for the advice gents!

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PeteH | 13 years ago
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If the bike carrier does not leave the lightboard and/or the registration plate visible, it is compulsory to fit an additional plate

Not my words, found on non-gov web site. You might want to buy yourself a copy of the Highway code (or phone dvla) to double-check.

I use a light board when carrying 3 bikes (only ever do this going on hols) but never bother when just carrying one bike, my argument being that the single bike does not render lights or reg plate invisible.

The use of the word "visible" opens up a world of interpretations. That says to me that as long as the lights aren't totally blacked out, you can argue that they're visible. Might be tougher to argue the reg plate - presumably if it is unreadable rather than invisible you stand a chance of being pulled over.

Lovely bike btw - but it is obscuring your reg plate. If you could get the bike 6 inches higher I don't think anyone could fault you.

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