Do flashing front lights induce fits?

[StopsAtRed]

A pedestrian stopped me last night and asked me to switch my fairly ordinary cateye front light to constant because the dazzling and flashing could induce seizures in some epileptics. I replied I'd think about it, but I also want to be seen by drivers, who shouldn't suffer from epilepsy AFAIK.

Anyone else been told off for having their lights ON?

 

[wiggydiggy]

A pedestrian stopped me last night and asked me to switch my fairly ordinary cateye front light to constant because the dazzling and flashing could induce seizures in some epileptics. I replied I'd think about it, but I also want to be seen by drivers, who shouldn't suffer from epilepsy AFAIK.

Anyone else been told off for having their lights ON?

Cracking, super disco dancing peds to keep me entertained on the way home

Come on, told off for lights on? What have you been smoking

 

[upsidedown]

I'd imagine it's possible but very unlikely. Sounds like somebody with too much time on their hands.

 

[tyred]

It wouldn't surprise me. It is beyond me how anyone can ride with a flashing light to the front. I've tried and it is EXTREMELY annoying to put it mildly

 

[semislickstick]

photosensitive epilepsy http://www.epilepsy....ilepsy/triggers

Bit about strobe lights and red flashing cycle lights!

Can epileptics ride bikes? Maybe he meant them as well as peds.

They always warn about flash photography on news reports don't they!


I don't have epilepsy but I find flashing bright lights on country roads with no other lighting are distracting and nauseating!

 

[wesa]

I have been asked to turn off a constant front light as it was frightening a horse. The horse was still frightened after I had turned it off.

 

[MissTillyFlop]

photosensitive epilepsy http://www.epilepsy....ilepsy/triggers

Bit about strobe lights and red flashing cycle lights!

Can epileptics ride bikes? Maybe he meant them as well as peds.

They always warn about flash photography on news reports don't they!


I don't have epilepsy but I find flashing bright lights on country roads with no other lighting are distracting and nauseating!

I have to wonder, (as it mentions that you would have to get "up close" for there to be any danger of it triggering a seizure) if the more imminent danger would bethe fact you are lying in the road at a traffic lights.

 

[400bhp]

photosensitive epilepsy http://www.epilepsy....ilepsy/triggers

Bit about strobe lights and red flashing cycle lights!

Red flashing bicycle lights (light emitting diodes, or LEDS) have triggered seizures in a small number of people. This has happened when they were close to the lights as they were setting them up.

 

[MissTillyFlop]

I have been asked to turn off a constant front light as it was frightening a horse. The horse was still frightened after I had turned it off.

I hope you pointed out that teh horse shouldn't be on a road if a bicycle lamp is going to startle it. What will it do if a lorry turns up?

 

[400bhp]

I have to wonder, (as it mentions that you would have to get "up close" for there to be any danger of it triggering a seizure) if the more imminent danger would bethe fact you are lying in the road at a traffic lights.

Exactly

 

[wiggydiggy]

photosensitive epilepsy http://www.epilepsy....ilepsy/triggers

Bit about strobe lights and red flashing cycle lights!

Can epileptics ride bikes? Maybe he meant them as well as peds.

They always warn about flash photography on news reports don't they!


I don't have epilepsy but I find flashing bright lights on country roads with no other lighting are distracting and nauseating!

Hardly a massive risk though:

"Red flashing bicycle lights (light emitting diodes, or LEDS) have triggered seizures in a small number of people. This has happened when they were close to the lights as they were setting them up."

"In the UK, the flash rate of strobe lights is restricted to a maximum of four flashes a second by the Health and Safety Executive. This rate is considered to be safe for most people. However, some people with photosensitive epilepsy may still find strobe lights could trigger a seizure.

If you have photosensitive epilepsy, you may want to avoid places where you could come across strobe lights. Examples are night clubs, discos and theme parks. If strobe lights come on without warning, you should immediately cover one eye with the palm of your hand and turn away from the lights. "

So going off that advice I should look out for people trying to sniff my seat and covering their faces whenever I cycle near them

 

[ianrauk]

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[MrHappyCyclist]

It wouldn't surprise me. It is beyond me how anyone can ride with a flashing light to the front. I've tried and it is EXTREMELY annoying to put it mildly

The trick is to point the light away from you so that it is facing forwards.

 

[TwickenhamCyclist]

My father was epileptic; flashing lights can trigger a fit in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Can’t remember the exact rate but the danger is, for most, at around 15 to 30 flashes per second – bike lights flash much faster than that.

If you were to put a photosensitive epileptic in a dark room with a flashing bike light and make them stare at it it just might trigger a fit, but out on the street, with other light sources? I doubt very much anyone has been triggered into fitting by a bike light (unless you shoved a couple right up close to the eyes.)<br style="mso-special-character:line-break"> <br style="mso-special-character:line-break">

Asking you to turn it off is a little over the top in my opinion. Perhaps they go around and ask all shops to turn off tv or computer monitors, turn off ceiling fans, wind farms, light houses, take down railings or remove leaves from trees when it’s sunny, turn off Christmas tree lights and take off stripey clothes… … …



Can see the Daily Mail headline now… “Epileptic Foreigners Demand a Ban On Christmas”



Having said that I find flashing lights much harder to judge speed and distance to/from and think other road users may find it difficult to judge your speed and position if you relay on flashing lights only on your bike

 

[semislickstick]

Exactly

That applies to the red light. Ok the OP probably doesn't have a strobe front light. But there are a number of cycle lights that sell themselves as a strobe or have that setting. Knog and don't the powerful Chinese ones have it?

TwickenhamCyclist Sometimes you city folk forget the country roads are dark, with no other light source, it's true!!!