Definitely two rear flashers ...

[XmisterIS]

Up to now, I've only ever used one rear flasher (a Smart super-bright jobby). Last night I was driving home and I passed three cyclists in the dark. The first had a single rear flasher, the second was a ninja and third had two rear flashers. As a driver, I noted that the third guy was by far the easiest to see and also place in the context of the road - something about the lights flashing out of sequence draws the eye, and the fact that there were two lights gave me better depth perception - so I intuitively knew much better how far away he was. Next time I go out at night I'm going to try two rear flashers, see if it gets me fewer close-passes!

 

[scouserinlondon]

Up to now, I've only ever used one rear flasher (a Smart super-bright jobby). Last night I was driving home and I passed three cyclists in the dark. The first had a single rear flasher, the second was a ninja and third had two rear flashers. As a driver, I noted that the third guy was by far the easiest to see and also place in the context of the road - something about the lights flashing out of sequence draws the eye, and the fact that there were two lights gave me better depth perception - so I intuitively knew much better how far away he was. Next time I go out at night I'm going to try two rear flashers, see if it gets me fewer close-passes!

I have a smart 1 watt light and an older cateye too. In urban situations I'm with you, two flashers is more noticeable than one. I know a lot of peole say that you should have one flash and one steady, which may be true on country lanes when there is no ambient light. But for sheer stand out, I prefer 2 flashers.

 

[HLaB]

If I know I'm cycling in the dark I tend to out with at least 2 rear lights, I'm not too worried about what effect it has on passes but if one fails the other is there :-)

 

[Moodyman]

I'm a two lights rider too, you always have a back up in case one malfunctions or battery dies suddenly.

One on constant other on flash mode.

Same on the front

 

[Maslow]

Even more drastic, I have one on the bike, one on my right ankle (obiously flashes and moves up and down with turning the cranks) plus two flashing out of sequence on the rear of my helmet.
I may look like a mobile Xmas tree but always given a wide bearth

 

[LCpl Boiled Egg]

I'm a two lights rider too, you always have a back up in case one malfunctions or battery dies suddenly.

One on constant other on flash mode.

Same on the front

Me too, for exactly the same reasons. Although as I'm always riding in urban areas I'm thinking I may go for both flashing if it makes me more visible. It would save on the batteries too. It is legal, isn't it?

 

[upsidedown]

I use a Smart 1/2 watt and an Exposure Flare, very different flashing patterns. I have been known to switch on the Knog rear light too on certain roads in the winter.

 

[Norm]

I have at least two on the bike (also a Smart 1/2 watt solid and Flare on flash, with a second Smart if I'm using the rack) and two on me (flashing Frog and solid Exposure RedEye micro).

I prefer commuting in the dark to daylight, I get a lot more room.

 

[mumbo jumbo]

I have one seat post mounted and one rack mounted rear lights. One constant; one flash. Also 2 rear helmet flashers. Still not foolproof but seems to work OK.

 

[Moodyman]

Me too, for exactly the same reasons. Although as I'm always riding in urban areas I'm thinking I may go for both flashing if it makes me more visible. It would save on the batteries too. It is legal, isn't it?

Yes, they are. It's a bit of myth that flashing bike lights are illegal.

 

[Norm]

Yes, they are. It's a bit of myth that flashing bike lights are illegal.

Not a myth, just out of date. They were illegal up to October 2005, when they were amended in the Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment) Regulations 2005 - specifically in this paragraph.

 

[SportMonkey]

Me too, for exactly the same reasons. Although as I'm always riding in urban areas I'm thinking I may go for both flashing if it makes me more visible. It would save on the batteries too. It is legal, isn't it?

Flashing doesn't necessarily save on batteries and it certainly does not conserve the life of the unit.

Not a myth, just out of date. They were illegal up to October 2005, when they were amended in the Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment) Regulations 2005 - specifically in this paragraph.

And my Cats Eyes that predate this have it written in to the documentation that it's illegal.

 

[funnymummy]

Depends what bike i'm on... Mummybike has a light on the pannier rack , just solid red. Spesh has a Knog light on the seat post, which has numerous flashes.
I can use the light on the bcak of my Altura jacket & also have a couple of those elasticated back up lights that I hang somewhere either on my body, helmet or bag.
#2's trailer has been likened to an Xmas tree before... But TBH I'd rather have dozen lights & get laughed at, than one that may not get noticed by a MoronicMoton

 

[summerdays]

Flashing doesn't necessarily save on batteries and it certainly does not conserve the life of the unit.

How does flashing not save on batteries ... I've found with all of my lights that the batteries last longer on flashing than the other modes ... and if I'm worried about how much power is left in them for a journey I will set them to flash to eek it out to get home. (And if I get it wrong on the Hope then flashing is the only mode that will work for a short while after it won't power the other modes.).

 

[sdr gb]

When commuting at night, I have on the front:- 2 x Cateye HL-EL320 on the handlebars,one flashing, one on constant, 2 x Knog style small LEDS mounted on the forks and one Cateye Loop LED mounted on my helmet.

On the rear is one Cateye tail light set at flashing, 2 x small LEDS on the seat stays and another Cateye Loop on the back of my helmet. It used to amuse my workmates when they saw me all lit up.

I wasn't amused when in January, despite looking like Blackpool Illuminations on tour, an elderly gentleman in a car pulled out in front of me sending me over the bonnet. His excuse was he didn't see me. Perhaps I need some more lights.