As Appeared in a Letter in a cycling mag

[Corvette chic]

In this week's Cycling Weekly 5/11/09 there's a letter headed "See the Light" in which the person writing in discusses his usage of a flashing blue rear light in conjunction with his red LED light.

He states that "motorists notice the blue light as it doesn't disappear in the normal everyday red rear light and drive a little more circumspect".

Just thought I'd bring it to your attention - blue lights available on internet (possibly ebay)

 

[summerdays]

I think they are illegal though! Can't think why

 

[Corvette chic]

Ah well he does mention that they could be but would be interesting to see the court proceedings....

Case for - blue lights used to warn motorists that there's a cyclist in front of them and as it's blue stands out thus making motorists aware and maybe a bit more safer!

Case against - could be thought that it's plod - utter crap innit ????

 

[andyfromotley]

Ah well he does mention that they could be but would be interesting to see the court proceedings....

Case for - blue lights used to warn motorists that there's a cyclist in front of them and as it's blue stands out thus making motorists aware and maybe a bit more safer!

Case against - could be thought that it's plod - utter crap innit ????[/QUOTE]

nope, thinking it through, all cyclists use one, motorists begin to ignore blue lights thinking, oh cyclists. Dont slow down, put emergency services operating at roadside in danger. - now that really would be crap.

 

[Arch]

Ah well he does mention that they could be but would be interesting to see the court proceedings....

Case for - blue lights used to warn motorists that there's a cyclist in front of them and as it's blue stands out thus making motorists aware and maybe a bit more safer!

Case against - could be thought that it's plod - utter crap innit ????

With the increasing number of bike mounted cops and paramedics, I don't think that's crap at all.

If we start carrying blue lights on our bikes, drivers will be up in arms saying we're getting special treatment.

 

[In trouble]

On a car, you can have static blue lights showing to the front but not flashing blues. I have never heard anything about rear facing flashing blues. I thinks its actually a good idea........if it saves my life.......by making the driver see, and consider "Whats that?"

 

[HJ]

With the increasing number of bike mounted cops and paramedics, I don't think that's crap at all.

If we start carrying blue lights on our bikes, drivers will be up in arms saying we're getting special treatment.

Um but are motorist generally up in arms saying cyclist getting special treatment, anyway?

To be more serious, blue flashing lights are reserved for the use of the emergency services for a reason, and that should be respected.

 

[Arch]

To be more serious, blue flashing lights are reserved for the use of the emergency services for a reason, and that should be respected.

That's my feeling too. If people start to think a blue flasher is only a cyclist, they'll act like arses, and one day it'll really matter.

 

[ACS]

I am not sure if there has been a change in the law, at one time the manufactures / resellers of warning lights / vehicle beacons where not allowed to sell blue lights. They could sell orange lights and the blue covers seperately to 'authorised agencies' only.

The onus was on the organisation to prove to the manufactures /resellers that they where for use on designated emergency service vehicles and they were authorised to use blue lights on the public highway.

The use of blue lights on vehicles, except those designated as emergency vehicles, is illegal and long may it continue.

 

[fossyant]

Read the article...the writer is a fool......Can't believe CW actually published it...

 

[ComedyPilot]

Peter and the Wolf scenario IMO.

Start using blue lights for other than their intended emergency use, and it detracts from their effect.

 

[Downward]

Why not just have different colours flashing like a hardcore techno rave.

 

[ufkacbln]

As with the "Polite" vests - its about perception and consequences.

If they think you are Police then the tendency is to drive better to avoid the consequences.

 

[rh100]

Some headlights give off a blue glow (Xenon?), anything other than red on the back is dangerous, as the red light's at rear and white on the front signify the movement of traffic - and any alteration from that serves to confuse motorist's as to a likely direction someone is taking - imagine a driver seeing that blue light in his mirror when driving the other way, he's going to wonder what it is and where it's going and should he pull over out the way - taking his concentration away. There's plenty of other ways of being visible.

 

[marinyork]

Seems foolish. For best "look different effect" vs standing out vs not cheesing off the police/fire/ambulance the best colour is a proper green light I reckon, after seeing various chrismas decorations on cyclists around christmastime the last few years. When I say green I mean proper green, not those silly bogey coloured ones the cops give out.