Car bike rack - do I need a lighting board?

unchillfiltered

I'm looking at getting a Peruzzo Verona or similar cycle rack rack for my Ford Fiesta (2006). It needs to be a rear strap on rack as we don't have a tow bar, and already have a roof box.

It's no problem finding a rack which will fit the car, but it is unclear whether a full trailer lighting board will be required, or just a number plate board.

From looking at the size of the car, and the high position of the rear lights, I'm concerned that the bicycles would obscure them. The car doesn't have a trailer lighting socket so this could all get quite expensive.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Nebulous2

Any bike carrying system involves a degree of compromise. If you need a lighting board I think you would be just as well with a towbar, fitting a lighting socket is more or less halfway there.

We had an 07 Fiesta and fitted a towbar to tow a small trailer with camping gear. It also meant we could use a lighting board with the bikes. It worked quite well.

I quite like the bikes to be roof mounted, but your roofbox rules that out.

nobbysn*ts

It's always a chance. I've put a rack on cars and totally hidden the numberplate, and most of the lights. If you're not caught, its fine. Current car has a towbar, and all the sockets, but again, if I'm careful, the lights are clear, number plate less so. I've never been stopped with just the bikes on though.

Avoriaz

nobbysn*ts wrote: »

It's always a chance. I've put a rack on cars and totally hidden the numberplate, and most of the lights. If you're not caught, its fine. Current car has a towbar, and all the sockets, but again, if I'm careful, the lights are clear, number plate less so. I've never been stopped with just the bikes on though.

So it is ok to obscure your lights and endanger other road users provided you don't get caught?

Interesting attitude.

I've always considered lights, especially brake lights, to be rather important.

Norman_Castle

A few year ago a friend had a socket fitted inside the car which was cheap. £10-£15 from memory.

http://www.towsure.com/static/Fitting_a_Cycle_Carrier_Lighting_Board

forgotmyname

They had a clampdown on this last year. Obscuring the lights or numberplate can get you a ticket.

I dont trust the racks that attach to the tailgate. Plastic clips holding all that weight.

nobbysn*ts

forgotmyname wrote: »

They had a clampdown on this last year. Obscuring the lights or numberplate can get you a ticket.

I dont trust the racks that attach to the tailgate. Plastic clips holding all that weight.

They're metal. Mine will take three bikes with no problem. Although then I do normally use the trailer board. (One bike you an see through well enough), depends where you going, and how long you are driving for. http://www.thule.com/en/gb/products/carriers-and-racks/bike-carriers/rear-door-mounted-bike-carriers/thule-clipon-9103-_-910301

Pennywise

nobbysn*ts wrote: »

They're metal. Mine will take three bikes with no problem. Although then I do normally use the trailer board. (One bike you an see through well enough), depends where you going, and how long you are driving for.

Why would where you're going and length of journey matter? Surely, you can cause an accident at the bottom of your own road if people behind you can't see your brake lights and indicators?

nobbysn*ts

Pennywise wrote: »

Why would where you're going and length of journey matter? Surely, you can cause an accident at the bottom of your own road if people behind you can't see your brake lights and indicators?

Probably not on my road to be honest. But if I went a lot further, and into town, with more traffic, and drove for longer, I'd have more chance of meeting more traffic, and that would increase the risk.

firefox1956

It is something that really annoys me & is really so very dangerous.
Bikes stacked up on the backs of cars....not only can you not see their brake lights but you can't see their indicators either.
People should put the bikes on their cars the walk 20 metres away & see if they can see their own lights & indicators.

neilmcl

nobbysn*ts wrote: »

Probably not on my road to be honest. But if I went a lot further, and into town, with more traffic, and drove for longer, I'd have more chance of meeting more traffic, and that would increase the risk.

Or the plod for that matter.