Constant or flashing front light?

[Jezston]

Another + for the one constant one flashing.

BM will probably be aware I disagree on the uncertainty thing. I see where he's coming from and understand the idea of making drivers more cautious, but I personally feel it's best to make it clear exactly what you are and where you are going so drivers are more likely to behave appropriately.

 

[Twanger]

Flashing attracts attention but is difficult to track. (I'm here..... no, I'm here now...... oops, I'm over here now). Remember, drivers scan they do not focus on a single flashing light

Constant = easier to track but also easier to miss or lose.

Solution: Two lights one constant, one flashing

+1

That's what I do. Flashing LED tabby things and constant "real" lights. It is more difficult to judge the distance of a flashing light.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

BM will probably be aware I disagree on the uncertainty thing. I see where he's coming from and understand the idea of making drivers more cautious, but I personally feel it's best to make it clear exactly what you are and where you are going so drivers are more likely to behave appropriately.

I agree, I think political games often end up backfiring and feel it's generally best to be up-front.

I have two lights on the handlebars, but if I had one of them on the helmet, I would put the steady one there because I can steer it then independently of the bars.

 

[Norm]

What may work best for you depends hugely on where and how you ride. If you never leave street lights and never exceed 12mph, the Cateye on flash might work. If you ride faster and / or on dark roads, you'll need a brighter light.

2 on each end of the bike (1 constant, 1 flashing) and 2 pointing each way on my head (also 1 constant and one flashing).

I take BM's point and say that a large reflector makes you look more like a larger vehicle more than a small bright light, but I still have flashing lights as well, as there are times that I'm happy to be identified as a cyclist.

As an aside, I got some Knog Frogs to strap to my helmet about 2 years ago. The batteries must have lasted well over 100 hours, and they are still fine. Given what little they cost and how light & bright they are on flash, I'd recommend them or similar to everyone.

 

[PK99]

Another + for the one constant one flashing.

BM will probably be aware I disagree on the uncertainty thing. I see where he's coming from and understand the idea of making drivers more cautious, but I personally feel it's best to make it clear exactly what you are and where you are going so drivers are more likely to behave appropriately.

+1

A single lashing light makes it very easy for even a careful driver to misjudge your position

 

[BentMikey]

When drivers can predict you well and with confidence that's when they'll cut it too close to you. If they can't judge it that well, or don't know what you are, they'll invariably leave you more room. As with many other variants of this debate, it's not being seen that's the problem, it's being seen as a cyclist which then allows drivers to take advantage and not care about you that is the problem.

 

[gaz]

The best thing to do is to have 4 lights, 2x front and 2x rear. Then one of each is on flash and the other on steady. This way you get the best of both worlds.

However at some points I find it better to say have both front lights on steady. A section of road I travel has 0 street lights and 0 places for cars to pull out on me, so i turn both my front lights to full power and both on steady so I can see where I am going.

 

[Easytigers]

Thanks for all of the advice. What I'm obviously getting is that 2 front 2 back is the ideal (if not more!!!). Also like the idea of 1 flashing 1 constant...guess I'm going to get a rollicking off the other half now as I said that I'd got everything I need for cycling...now I'd better go invest another set of lights.
Russ

p.s. I'm hopeful that the, 'It's better to spend a bit of money and be seen...' excuse will work

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

Thanks for all of the advice. What I'm obviously getting is that 2 front 2 back is the ideal (if not more!!!). Also like the idea of 1 flashing 1 constant...guess I'm going to get a rollicking off the other half now as I said that I'd got everything I need for cycling...now I'd better go invest another set of lights.
Russ

p.s. I'm hopeful that the, 'It's better to spend a bit of money and be seen...' excuse will work

Well, it depends on how far you cycle, but I reckon I will have saved nearly £500 on fuel for the car over 12 months, so that must help.

 

[Dilbert]

Thanks for all of the advice. What I'm obviously getting is that 2 front 2 back is the ideal (if not more!!!). Also like the idea of 1 flashing 1 constant...guess I'm going to get a rollicking off the other half now as I said that I'd got everything I need for cycling...now I'd better go invest another set of lights.
Russ

p.s. I'm hopeful that the, 'It's better to spend a bit of money and be seen...' excuse will work

The flashing one does not have to be expensive - I use a Hope Vision 1 to see where I am going on the more poorly lit bits and an RSP 5 LED one that I think cost a tenner, for the flashing one and it reflects of signs hundreds of yards away. I reckon I save £6 a day commuting so it doesn't take long to cover a set of lights. Its also useful to have the backup in case one gives up on you.


My view, FWIW, is that the combination of solid and flashing may identify you as a cyclist but its better that than being mistaken for a motorbike thats further away (which is why two identical lights, side by side on steady could also lead to trouble)

 

[Easytigers]

My view, FWIW, is that the combination of solid and flashing may identify you as a cyclist but its better that than being mistaken for a motorbike thats further away (which is why two identical lights, side by side on steady could also lead to trouble)

That sounds very sensible to me! Also been thinking more about the petrol costs and am hoping to see a good saving through the winter (even taking into consideration the extensive amount of packages that I seem to be getting from Wiggle etc!). Just thinking back to last year's snow though and wondering whether I'll be a wuss when the time comes!

 

[jig-sore]

carry the hope vision 1 (centre light) with me all year round. have it on flashing on these dull mornings or when its raining.

during the proper dark months i have the hope on constant and add the 2 cat eye's on flash. these also add as back up if the hope's batteries run out.

on yeah, and i have a head light on my helmet

 

[mcr]

From a driver's perspective (and I'll admit I'm only an occasional one, especially in the dark) I've always found flashing front lights freak me out, because the intermittent light makes it impossible to place the cyclist in one's field of view. Perhaps it's because of how bright lights are these days, but they confuse and dazzle far more than static ones (and, indeed, flashing rear red ones that seem to be OK), so I'd never use them myself.

 

[Norm]

From a driver's perspective (and I'll admit I'm only an occasional one, especially in the dark) I've always found flashing front lights freak me out, because the intermittent light makes it impossible to place the cyclist in one's field of view. Perhaps it's because of how bright lights are these days, but they confuse and dazzle far more than static ones (and, indeed, flashing rear red ones that seem to be OK), so I'd never use them myself.

The flashing lights on the front of my bike both flash between low and high power, they don't go dark between flashes. I do, though, have the larger light on low power and the smaller light flashing.

 

[coffeejo]

+whatever it is for the one constant, one flashing