Flash or not to Flash?

[Bay Runner]

The majority of my commute is on unlit cycle paths.

I use a Magicshine light to illuminate the track (to see where I am going) taking care to dip when approaching other track users, taking care not to blind them.

Why do other cyclists on the track use their bright lights on flash, dazzling other users?
Surely the better mode on an unlit track is steady, to illuminate the track?

I can understand it may be beneficial to use flashing mode in heavy traffic in poor visibility (to been seen)

I am missing something hear?

 

[Roadrider48]

A lot of cars do it as well on unlit country roads. Failing to dip their beam when other vehicles are approaching. It does momentarily blind you. People just don't think I guess.

 

[HLaB]

If I'm just pottering along I must admit Ive used lights on flashing, mainly to save battery so when I want to go fast the solid beam is there.

 

[MontyVeda]

does flashing mode actually save battery power?

 

[fossyant]

Having bright lights on flash just screws your vision up and that of others in the dark. Use most powerful light on steady and a backup on flash.

 

[HLaB]

does flashing mode actually save battery power?

Yip, I'm just quoting my lights but the pack said something like battery life = 38hours on flashing, 6hours on solid.

 

[Hacienda71]

I normally have a flash on one of the rears. On the front, just bright, very bright.

 

[Twelve Spokes]

I have a steady (SMART superflash) on the left and right rear and a flashing magicshine on the seatpost.I have a main beam (CREE SG) and a TRUSTFIRE TR-801 as secondary and on flashing mode.Both use 18650 batteries.

 

[crazyjoe101]

"...protecting you from hit-and-runs and false claims."

Perhaps this wording could be reviewed. I cycle with a helmet camera but that doesn't mean I can't get mowed down.
Edit: Looks like I got my posts mixed up . Flash on the roads, steady off 'em. If I have a second' stronger light mounted as I do sometimes then it will be on solid to light up the ground. On the rear I have two flashing bands attached to my bag and a crazy strobe thing on the seat post.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I ride with a flash during the day in traffic but steady, or steady plus flashing à la fossyante, at night. It's hard to get a fix on a flashing light when the route is unlit. But a combination can attract attention (good) without that alternate blinding-light-still-blinded-when-it's-dark-again phenomenon (good). So, no, it's not you that's missing anything.

 

[I like Skol]

Having bright lights on flash just screws your vision up and that of others in the dark. Use most powerful light on steady and a backup on flash.

Have to agree with Fossy here. Flashing front light for attracting attention in well lit environment when there is a lot of traffic around with their lights on but as soon as I move into unlit areas the light goes on steady so I can see what I am doing. A flashing light really messes up your night vision to the point that you can't really see F'all!

 

[Bromptonaut]

Don't like flashing fronts on other bikes in traffic. Much more difficult to judge speed and course at junctions. My Cateye is steady only but with a reduced brightness 'economy' setting.

 

[Boris Bajic]

As both a motorist and a cyclist, I find flashing front lights after dark on an oncoming bicycle unhelpful. They seem to make it harder to register peripheral events and somehow mess with my vision. The more powerful the lamp, the greater the distraction.

For that reason I have my front bicycle lamps on the 'constant' setting.

Some cyclists also like to position their lights to shine into the eyes of oncoming motorists rather than giving a nice spread across the tarmac ahead. I'm not sure why this is, but it is not helpful. I do not think it is deliberate; more likely they are unaware of how powerful a beam they now have.

I set my rear lamp on 'flash', as I find this no distraction when following a bicycle lit that way and in some ways it makes the bike easier to distinguish from other elements within the traffic flow.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

As both a motorist and a cyclist, I find flashing front lights after dark on an oncoming bicycle unhelpful. They seem to make it harder to register peripheral events and somehow mess with my vision. The more powerful the lamp, the greater the distraction.

For that reason I have my front bicycle lamps on the 'constant' setting.

Some cyclists also like to position their lights to shine into the eyes of oncoming motorists rather than giving a nice spread across the tarmac ahead. I'm not sure why this is, but it is not helpful. I do not think it is deliberate; more likely they are unaware of how powerful a beam they now have.

I set my rear lamp on 'flash', as I find this no distraction when following a bicycle lit that way and in some ways it makes the bike easier to distinguish from other elements within the traffic flow.

It's not just motorists that are inconvenienced by bicycle headlamps angled too high. I sometimes have to temporarily shield my eyes from oncoming bicycle lights on shared paths, when riding home after dark, because they're angled too high. I have my lights (1 dynamo + 1 USB chargeable) angled with the main beam spot hitting the path/road about 7-8m ahead of me. Both lights also have a well-defined beam with very little spread of light outside the main beam.

 

[I like Skol]

It's not just motorists that are inconvenienced by bicycle headlamps angled too high.

Actually, you have reminded me of something. Every winter as the nights darken I have repeated encounters with a pair of cyclists riding in the opposite direction with painfully bright flashing lights. They really do have incredibly bright lights that destroys your night vision, all you can see as they approach is their lights and once they have passed you are left with the blobs and blotches of burnt retinas. I have actually been tempted to pull them up some time and let them know just how bad the problem is, they seem to have no clue (or don't care) and should really adjust their lights so they shine on the road and not shine into other road users eyes.