Flashing cycle lights???

[J4CKO]

Aside from the legality and whatever, I am going to make sure I run both a flasher and a solid light at both ends based on what is coming out of this thread, if nothing else it is hedging your bets on compared to either all flashing or all solid.

If anyone is stuck for something to do, make a video for Youtube with the different approaches and we can judge for ourselves, BM you like cameras and stuff do you not ?

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

At the bottom of this page from DoT: http://webarchive.nationalarchives....awbal/surveycomplianceandqualityim1127?page=2

I've got rat traps on my commuter, so only one reflector per pedal. I have stuck some reflective tape on the front of the traps. I'd hope that, plus all the reflectives stuck elsewhere on the bike / accessories / me, the three lights at the front and the two at the back would keep me safe from prosecution, if not from a moton.

[that's not to say I assume they've seen me, of course]

 

[siadwell]

Good find RichK. I shall now be able to sleep well at night with an untroubled conscience.

Now if they'd only put all this stuff in easy-to-understand language, in one place...

 

[siadwell]

Trouble is with all this that if there's an accident and you're outside the legal niceities then some smart ars'd barrister on the other side will try to claim you were responsible for it.

This article by a cycling lawyer is interesting. Of course it is just one (qualified) person's opinion and I'd like to know if "contributory negligence" has ever been used in court.

Illegality as contributory negligence

The main concern about the use of flashing lights appears to be the perception that a clever barrister in a court case involving a cyclist might use a breach of the regulations to argue for a decision adverse to the cyclist. It is of course true that failure to observe the provisions of the Highway Code is usually prima facie evidence of negligence. Equally, failure to comply with the Regulations is a matter to be taken into account in deciding issues of liability.

A comparison can be made with seat belts. It is quite clear that damages will be reduced considerably as a result of a claimant’s contributory negligence in failing to wear a seat belt. However, that is because the basis of the legal requirement to fit and wear seatbelts is that they preserve lives and improve safety. The basis of the prohibition of flashing lights is unlikely to be that they reduce a bicycle’s visibility. Rather it is to ensure that normal vehicles are not confused with emergency vehicles. Accordingly, I suggest that such an argument should receive short shrift.

http://www.cyclistsdefencefund.org.uk/cycle-lighting​

 

[Davidc]

This article by a cycling lawyer is interesting. Of course it is just one (qualified) person's opinion and I'd like to know if "contributory negligence" has ever been used in court.

Although that must predate the current rules it's what I meant. I suspect that even something like not having a full set of 4 pedal reflectors might get picked on by an opposing barrister. We've already seen some bizarre judgements involving helmets.

Like you I'd be interested to know if there have been any relevant examples in court involving lighting and relectors.

 

[andyfromotley]

i like flashing at the rear i have two and am getting another set this weekend. Like others i clip on flashing to rear of helmet. I do notice that i get a very wide berh cycling home on an evening. Would agree that i flashing and one constant on the front is best mix. BUT if i was forced to choose i would go for flashing as it certainly gets the attention.

andy

 

[ron4322]

How about fitting reflectors to your shoes, and if it ever came to court, you could argue that the shoe is an integral part of the pedal - which it surely is in the case of a clipless system.

 

[ron4322]

I have a BS compliant continuous LED light at the rear, centrally mounted on the rack, plus a flashing LED on the offside seat stay.

At the front I have 2 LEDs, one flashing and one fixed. These are both "to be seen" lights as most of my riding is on lit roads. I also have an LED torch for if I ever need to see. None of my front lights are BS compliant - I keep looking, but haven't found a replacement yet.

 

[Davidc]

I have a BS compliant continuous LED light at the rear, centrally mounted on the rack, plus a flashing LED on the offside seat stay.

At the front I have 2 LEDs, one flashing and one fixed. These are both "to be seen" lights as most of my riding is on lit roads. I also have an LED torch for if I ever need to see. None of my front lights are BS compliant - I keep looking, but haven't found a replacement yet.

All of mine (front and rear) have German approval numbers, which being EU also comply with our law.

 

[hackbike 666]

I have flashing and steady on both front and rear...sometimes I have 4 flashing on my bag on the rear and one steady red on the bike.One Flashing front and one steady.

Don't really have too much of a problem with other cyclists unless they have no lights,then they can be hard to see.

I noticed as a ped tonight I had trouble judging a cars speed and he had his headlights on.

Plus Hi-Viz on my bag and me.

 

[fossyant]

All I will say, use good steady front and rears, backed up with flashy lights as these identify you as a pedal bike......

The bigger/nastier front lights you use, makes the motorist think you are a motorbike, and it works........

 

[addictfreak]

Was never really a fan of flashing lights, but my mate had some knog gekko lights last week and they were very effective.

So i have just put my order in to wiggle, I'll be out flashing later this week

 

[Davidc]

I'd realised people on CC were a funny bunch - but not that they were a load of flashers.......

 

[GrasB]

The problem with flashing lights is more when there's not a secondary reference to get information from. This might be because the person is out of light range for retroactive materials to work or they're just relying on flashing lights. If they're wearing high-viz clothing & there's some light about not a problem but occasionally there is a problem.

 

[simongrant]

Hey all, thanks for all the great contributions,some really good bits on info in there.
When i started the thread i was expecting a couple of replies telling me the visit the eye doctor lol.The reason i asked the question was there is a commuter passes me every few nights (10pm+)and the light is so bright i have no problem seeing it,but its all i see,and like others have said i become disorietated by it and i think it must have a magnifying lens because from a distance the light looks really really large but as he passes the actual light is only very small.

Again thanks for all the great responses

Simon