Are you referring only to the Adventure Cycling tour programs?
Most of us wish to be treated like the responsible adults we are. If a tour organization is going to have the resources and manpower babysit and monitor us, they will also have the power to discipline, expel, and spank. If you are considering a specific route or a specific operator, researching their policies is fairly simple; call them.
Of the many groundless myths about recumbents, compromised or reduced visibility is one of the more difficult to dismiss; it is an unfounded prejudice. We see this topic often on recumbent-specific blogs and forums. Try searching at bentrideronline.com. The facts are easily ignored. For instance, my head position is only about 4 inches below anyone else's and the very fact that our machines are a bit odd tends to attract attention rather than deflect.
Flags are fun but they are useless as accident prevention devices. If they were at all beneficial, upright bikes would use them also. Flags and other colorful attachments are statements of style, a display of one's unconventionality. Me, I run a fairing and a bright red lycra bodyskin on my long wheelbase 'bent and I've got all the usual fluorescent riding gear and enough flashers to look like a rolling xmas tree. Putting any faith in those accoutrements is silly; I ride assuming every car is out to kill me.
Inattentive drivers and stupid bicycle riders are everywhere.
david boise ID
