Bicycle Flashing Lights Are Illegal? Really?

[StuartG]

Compounded by the added problem that its harder to judge the speed of a flashing light to defray any assumptions. OK if you are a plodder but not for the stravanisti ...

 

[snorri]

. maybe they can throw more light on this subject?

You mean throw light on the subject of why anyone would have so little to do that he would interupt his journey to speak to the bored driver of a parked car who may have mumbled something from behind the closed window of his car?

 

[AndyRM]

I have a concern about flashing front lights which somebody may be able to allay.
If you see a flashing white light you immediately know it's a cyclist, the problem I think I have with that is that there can be an assumption that cyclists don't go very fast therefore there's plenty of time to pull out from the junction and we know how that scenario can end. If you have very bright front lights on steady then there is the possibilty that the driver will, for a second, not know what is coming towards him and will wait to make his move.
Of course this is dependant on people looking properly in the first place.

I hadn't thought of that! Lights on steady rather than flashing from now on!

Surprised the guy in the car continued the conversation. Poor chap had his dinner ruined!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I have a concern about flashing front lights which somebody may be able to allay.
If you see a flashing white light you immediately know it's a cyclist, the problem I think I have with that is that there can be an assumption that cyclists don't go very fast therefore there's plenty of time to pull out from the junction and we know how that scenario can end. If you have very bright front lights on steady then there is the possibilty that the driver will, for a second, not know what is coming towards him and will wait to make his move.
Of course this is dependant on people looking properly in the first place.

Do you really honestly think that is likely? Is it not more likely they will think, if they think at all, "I do not recognise the pin prick of light coming towards me as being attached to a tonne or more of metal, therefore it is not a threat, therefore I can pull out safelcrash." or, more likely they are thinking "Must pay attention...... concentrate..... careful now..... SQUIRRELS!" and pull out? Which seems to be the experience of many motorcyclists and other car drivers, given how many collisions occur at junctions

If you ride behind a gigantic cut out of an artic it might have legs, and so will you given the wind resistance, but otherwise a driver who is a cock is a driver who is a cock and will pull out anyway. And you only need to worry about the drivers who are cocks.

 

[XRHYSX]

maybe they can throw more light on this subject?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=uk+cycle+light+regulations#

 

[TrafficDroid]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=uk cycle light regulations#

Those are my words.. and please no twirling either

 

[TrafficDroid]

That's 8:48 I won't be watching - really a none event. Are you using this forum to promote your you tube channel and increase hits ?

I find it odd that you don't contribute to the forum as a whole, just to self promote within Commuting, and within your own posts.

How about sharing your knowledge in Know How, Health and Fitness, Beginners, or even join us for Tea in the Cafe ?

I havent started to motor yet..plenty to contribute. The pictures or footage are areas of concern as a cyclist. The issue of lights have come up time and time again and needs to be thrashed out. As for exploiting my videos, they are the proverbial canvas in which to spark debate. But if it bothers some on here, I will not pate such scenes.

 

[TrafficDroid]

His motherboard is hardwired. This is not someone who is going to take your advice though I'm hoping since he has come to CC he'll take off his Teflon and listen to some of the guidance given.

Okay, heres what before the kitchen explodes with all the cooking going on here.. I think I will just watch all the threads and see what this forum is all about and maybe approach issues differently..I can already sense something else..wont make up my mind just yet.

 

[gaz]

Flashing lights can be illegal.

Lights have to meet certain requirements, outlined in the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 (as amended), including output and frequency of flash. If they don;t meet the requirements they are not legal for use on the road in the UK. Not all lights sold in the UK meet those requirements.

My understanding is that only one of the lights on your bicycle has to meet the regulations and not all. So as long as your little light is legal, anything else goes.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

My understanding is that only one of the lights on your bicycle has to meet the regulations and not all. So as long as your little light is legal, anything else goes.

That's right, and that's why I have one pair of conforming front and rear lights along with additional lighting for very poor weather or visibilty.


GC

 

[jonny jeez]

Thank goodness for that, I thought it was just me being stupid/paranoid

God no...loads of us on here are stupid / paranoid.

 

[Boris Bajic]

I use one or two small front lights and one or two small rear ones. Both LEDs (Cateye Cube?).

The rear is usually flashing, with the second only used in foul weather. As a motorist, I find it easier to see a bicycle and judge its speed, direction and distance when its rear lamp is flashing. i do not know why this is.

My front lamp (or lamps) never flash. As a motorist I find it harder to gauge the position, spped and direction of a flashing front cycle lamp. Part of the reason I use lamps as a cyclist is to alert other road users to my presence for my own safety.

As a motorist I find flashing front lamps on bicycles unhelpful but wouldn't criticise their use. many disagree with me. However, I find the use of extremely bright front lamps on bicycles (flashing or otherwise) extremely unhelpful. Some riders direct the beam at eye height for the average driver. This can lead to other road users looking away from the light source, which may not be the best outcome.

That's just my view, backed up by no science, no links, no Youtube footage and barely any knowledge of any subject.

A thought occurs... In the video, was the OP riding around in daylight with his lights on? If so, is this something other cyclists do? I never have unless it is foggy or tipping with rain.

Does current thinking embrace daylight running lights on bicycles? I am a Luddite.

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

After driving through a 30mph and have a driving instructor fly up behind me at 60mph and tailgate while using a handheld mobile I'll take anything they say with a pinch of salt.
"If you lead, you must first do so by example".

 

[theclaud]

I have a concern about flashing front lights which somebody may be able to allay.
If you see a flashing white light you immediately know it's a cyclist, the problem I think I have with that is that there can be an assumption that cyclists don't go very fast therefore there's plenty of time to pull out from the junction and we know how that scenario can end. If you have very bright front lights on steady then there is the possibilty that the driver will, for a second, not know what is coming towards him and will wait to make his move.
Of course this is dependant on people looking properly in the first place.

I have a slightly simpler concern about them - they are hideously annoying, especially to pedestrians and other cyclists. It does my head in if I have one behind me on a FNRttC.

 

[Kookas]

I have a slightly simpler concern about them - they are hideously annoying, especially to pedestrians and other cyclists. It does my head in if I have one behind me on a FNRttC.

That's probably because they're too bright to be flashing like that, more than anything else. I'd say anything over 100 lumens is too bright to be suddenly jumping from on to off, especially at night.