Bike lights for sides of bike

[flatusJoe86]

Should I get these https://www.ebay.com/itm/336454620482?var=545941025251 (i have a pack of 20 pieces in my cart has anyone tried these) or should I just use neon glow tapes and reflector tapes? I want to keep the sides of my bike lit already have a multi led string wrapped around my bike just want spares because (batteries). I don't know if this is overkill to have lights on the frame and forks. Has anybody actually tried the lights shown on the link? I ride an xc bike both onroad and offroad.

 

[oldandslow]

They are rear/tail lights. I would be careful about displaying red rear lights on the side of a vehicle, as it could confuse other road users. For that reason, it might not achieve your intended results. If they were amber, maybe.

Side illumination has its limitations, as do side reflectors. Both have to be seen by road users coming from the side, in time for those road users to react, so the road users are going to be some tens of metres away and not going too fast. But if that's true, and the road users are seeing you sideways on, won't you have moved out of their way before they reach you, even at cycling speeds?

 

[brommieinkorea]

Get 'em, then tell everyone here how they work .

 

[Alex321]

They are rear/tail lights. I would be careful about displaying red rear lights on the side of a vehicle, as it could confuse other road users. For that reason, it might not achieve your intended results. If they were amber, maybe.

It would also be illegal if it can be seen from the front.

You can have red retro reflectors on wheels or the side which are also visible from the front, but not lights.

 

[PaulSB]

I've seen a couple of riders lit up this way. It looks ridiculous and as a car driver I find it distracting. The purpose of bike lights is to send a quick and clear message, cyclist! When a rider is lit up in this manner my brain immediately thinks "what's that," I'm then distracted as I look and work out what I'm seeing. In my view what you're doing is dangerous.

If you feel you must do something spoke reflectors or illuminating tape on the rims. Avoid making yourself look like Blackpool illuminations on speed. It serves no purpose.

If you want increased visibility invest in one of those jackets that turns white when light hits it. Those really work. Excellent product.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Retro reflective clothing is great for visibility.

I've got a Boardman jacket/gillet, but for everyday cycling, the PlanetX retro reflective toe covers are brilliant because the movement from pedalling makes you even more visible.

 

[MontyVeda]

Should I get these https://www.ebay.com/itm/336454620482?var=545941025251 (i have a pack of 20 pieces in my cart has anyone tried these) or should I just use neon glow tapes and reflector tapes? I want to keep the sides of my bike lit already have a multi led string wrapped around my bike just want spares because (batteries). I don't know if this is overkill to have lights on the frame and forks. Has anybody actually tried the lights shown on the link? I ride an xc bike both onroad and offroad.

from the blurb in the listing...

• The charging time of about 1 hours, Long low light bright about 1-2 hours

...which suggests they'll need recharging after a couple of hours' use. Imagine having several of the little things all over your bike, and having to recharge them all every few days. You'd soon give up.

 

[kingrollo]

I used to have a armband with a light in it. A couple of cyclists and even drivers commented on what a good piece of kit it was.

Other side invocations I've seen are an orange light that clips onto your frame - light is both sides so gives extra sideways visibility.

And what I thought was a brilliant idea was a drinks bottle but instead of liquid it housed an orange light.

I don't commute or ride in the dark anymore but if I did the above something I would have most likely invested in.

 

[ianrauk]

Get yourself a Raveman light if you want lights that can be seen from the side.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

A few months ago, thanks to a PSA on here, I bought a Magicshine RN1200 front light for ~£26.

But Magicshine do a Seemee model range of rear lights that have a clever option to cast a some red light under the bike, I think the 300 has been as low as ~£40 on Amazon and I'll definitely be keeping an eye on it for for reductions over the summer.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0C58TNZDD?th=1

 

[Gwylan]

Should I get these https://www.ebay.com/itm/336454620482?var=545941025251 (i have a pack of 20 pieces in my cart has anyone tried these) or should I just use neon glow tapes and reflector tapes? I want to keep the sides of my bike lit already have a multi led string wrapped around my bike just want spares because (batteries). I don't know if this is overkill to have lights on the frame and forks. Has anybody actually tried the lights shown on the link? I ride an xc bike both onroad and offroad.

I had one of those lights as a rear light. The battery life was just a few hours which was a pain.
The whole product lasted a couple of years. Then the battery wouldn't hold charge and had a duration in minutes. About 20.

In Belgium we were obliged to have yellow reflectors in the wheels.
I've got tyres with a reflective rim.
Also my bike is matt black. Takes a real genius to design a black bike and a bigger numpty, buyer not to realise what it might mean to be a user.
Now I've got a loud yellow jacket and 3M black reflectors on side surfaces of the frame. These reflect light, use no batteries or anything.
Still good after 4 years.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

from the blurb in the listing...

• The charging time of about 1 hours, Long low light bright about 1-2 hours

...which suggests they'll need recharging after a couple of hours' use. Imagine having several of the little things all over your bike, and having to recharge them all every few days. You'd soon give up.

It is also quite a small time span for a rechargeable light

On the rare times that I need my rechargeable lights they last for a LOT longer than that

BTW - I always try to have at least 2 front and 2 back
so if one runs of of electrons then the otehr is still working


I wouldn not have any on the side though

I have reflective stripes down the sides of the frame and a reflective/hi-vis jacket - which I think is less confusing
driver have a lot to look at and for - so keeping to "White front Red rear" helps

 

[MontyVeda]

It is also quite a small time span for a rechargeable light
...

that was my point.

 

[fossyant]

I have two of the magicshines that cast the light to the floor. They work really well. I'd recommend tyres with a reflective sidewall if worried about side visibility.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I have one tyre witha reflective sidewall

and one without

if there a sticky strip that you can get to make the tyre wall reflective??