Red and white sign on bike rack?

[frankspencer1979]

Got a bit confused after looking around for more info so just wondering what the forum wisdom is!?

I have a tow bar mounted rack with it's own light bar, so do I actually need the red and white stripey sign in Europe? Will be visiting Italy as well as France so there's the aluminium rather than plastic aspect I've just discovered as well!

I understand the requirement on a motorhome as I saw the phrase "where the rear load protrudes beyond the rear lights" but that isn't the case on a rack with it's own lights?

If I do need it, anyone got a top tip for installing directly to the bike? Just bodge it with zip ties? There's nothing else for it to attach to! Feel like I'm throwing another £25 away just to tick a box, but I'd obviously rather do the right thing and avoid getting pulled over etc.

 

[Shaun Witts]

I just bought a cheap corrugated plastic thing, and attached it to the bike using those flag bungee things. I gambled that if I had at least done something it would be better than nothing and hopefully avoid any issues.

 

[frankspencer1979]

Thanks for the reply, that was the approach I was going to take....

I've also put this post on singletrack forum as well, there I've had a response linking to some guidelines which suggest in Italy I'll actually need two aluminium boards, one on each wheel of the bike, arranged so the stripes point into a triangle.

Then another response saying none of this is required for van with a tow bar mounted track with lights and number plate, it's all guidance for motorhomes!

 

[Frigo110]

Hi,
from what I know the plates are not mandatory in "Europe" but in Italy and Spain.

So if you cross via tunnel and just go straight or turn to the east you should be fine.

Hope I´m correct here.