Flashing cycle lights???

[ed_o_brain]

In this here city streets adorned with all manner of street lighting, I think flashing lights are fine. They say 'I'm here' and then other road user can properly observe the the cyclist and assess speed and direction.

Where there is street lighting or other sources of light, I find it easy to see unlit cyclists, cars, pedestrians and cyclists.

Further out in the country where it is properly dark and all that can be observed is the flashing light, not what it is attached to, I'd agree that steady lights will help matters.

For urban twilight riding I believe flashing lights to better, for the sole reason other road users should look properly. If exclusive use of flashing lights makes other road users have to slow down in order to observe properly, then all the better.

 

[hackbike 666]

Flashing lights tend to say "I am a cyclist".I don't find this a problem with motons and I find it helpful when I am a ped.

 

[ron4322]

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

Does anyone know the relevant German standards to look for?

 

[ufkacbln]

You guys would just hate me so much if you saw me riding at night. An Exposure MaxxD on flash mode is awesomely attention getting.

I had an incident with a taxi who pulled out at a junction.... MaxxD on full power illuminatingthe side of his vehicle as I stopped!

Couldn't you see me?

"I thought you were a motorcycle!"

"So you thought I was a big fast vehicle and stilled pulled out?"

"Well Motorcycles have good brakes, and wouldn't have had a poblem stopping!"


Which really to me illustrates the problem. No matter how festooned you are with lights, reflectives and the likes - unless the other vehicle responds appropriately it is all a waste of time, effort and money.

 

[BentMikey]

Funnily enough I had a scan error chav on Thursday night, and another one last night - junction in the maze near Victoria, and he just pulled across the road without looking, his giveway.

I like the light, but I don't assume it'll make everyone stop. It's nice that it gets most people to, though.

 

[J4CKO]

I had an old lady pull out on me the other day, because she was looking into bright sunlight and had massive specs on, perhaps someone could invent something that draws light away for daytime so myopic old ladies can see us.

Also, the lights thing has been debated quite a lot, haven't see anything regarding placement, I tend to put mine slightly right of centre, theory being that when dark, car drivers assume that it is on your centreline and pass accordingly, a little bit to the right would buy a few inches I think.

 

[PK99]

I had an incident with a taxi who pulled out at a junction.... MaxxD on full power illuminatingthe side of his vehicle as I stopped!

Couldn't you see me?

"I thought you were a motorcycle!"

"So you thought I was a big fast vehicle and stilled pulled out?"

"Well Motorcycles have good brakes, and wouldn't have had a poblem stopping!"


Which really to me illustrates the problem. No matter how festooned you are with lights, reflectives and the likes - unless the other vehicle responds appropriately it is all a waste of time, effort and money.

Mebbee, with your bright small lights looked like a motorbike but much further away?

 

[purplepolly]

I had an old lady pull out on me the other day, because she was looking into bright sunlight and had massive specs on, perhaps someone could invent something that draws light away for daytime so myopic old ladies can see us.

sunglasses?

proper sunglasses that take the glare off the road and increase contrast?

Problem is that generally only cyclists have the brains to use such items and then non-cyclists make fun of us for our funny wrap-around shades. They of course prefer to drive around in a state of semi blindness caused by 'unexpected' bright sun.

 

[GrasB]

I had an incident with a taxi who pulled out at a junction.... MaxxD on full power illuminatingthe side of his vehicle as I stopped!

Couldn't you see me?

"I thought you were a motorcycle!"

"So you thought I was a big fast vehicle and stilled pulled out?"

"Well Motorcycles have good brakes, and wouldn't have had a poblem stopping!"


Which really to me illustrates the problem. No matter how festooned you are with lights, reflectives and the likes - unless the other vehicle responds appropriately it is all a waste of time, effort and money.

ARRGGSSS!!!! Yes their brakes are good, better than most car brakes, however how do you know the rider can use them properly & have you actually looked at the road surface?

 

[HJ]

I just thought I would throw in a couple of points.

The main reason for bike lights flashing in the first place is because they (used) to be under powered and where easily lost among all the other light sources in the urban environment, by making them flash the lights became more visible. Modern bright LED lights (say above 200 lumens) shouldn't be used on flashing mode at night, they are bright enough to stand out by them selves. Although the flashing mode can be useful in daylight to increase visibility.

The other important thing to be aware of it that there are many drivers out there who have not had their eyesight tested since they took their drive test and shouldn't be on the road because their eyesight has since deteriorated. At night things are even worse as there is no requirement for night vision to be tested to get a driving licence and there are drivers out there who have very poor night vision but carry on driving regardless...

It would be safer for all if people were required to have a full eye test before getting a licence and then required to retake both eye and driving tests on a regular basis, say 5 or 10 years.

 

[purplepolly]

It would be safer for all if people were required to have a full eye test before getting a licence and then required to retake both eye and driving tests on a regular basis, say 5 or 10 years.

Which would provoke nationwide wails of protest from people who completely ignore the fact that anyone with half a ounce of common sense would be having their eyes tested regularly anyway. Who would want to pemanently loose part, or most like my greataunt, of their vision to glaucoma for the sake of a £15 eyetest?

 

[thomas]

Not really read everything...but I think, technically, my powerful front light is, legally, the same as riding without a front light...unless, I use a less powerful light along side it.

Now, would I rather have a less powerful light legally...or a light which, from the distance looks like a powerful motorbike light?

It's only because bicycle light laws are so badly written. And, if I am commuting over Christmas I will probably attach a light to my forks, if I can.

 

[ufkacbln]

I think most of us who use bright lights also use "bobby dodgers"

Personally all my bikes have a pair of "cheap as chips" lights which are RVLR compliand, and only use the Dinotte and MaxxD to back up these lights.

They are NOT my main lighting system

 

[ufkacbln]

A second problem is that motorcycle and car lights have engineered refectors so that the bottom half ofthe beam illuminates, butthe upper half is damped, effectively makingthe beam a semicircular design.

Cycle lights do not yet have this and are full circular beams which can cause issues. It is also whuy only a numpty will mistake the bikelights for moped /motorcycle lights.

 

[HJ]

I think most of us who use bright lights also use "bobby dodgers"

Personally all my bikes have a pair of "cheap as chips" lights which are RVLR compliand, and only use the Dinotte and MaxxD to back up these lights.

They are NOT my main lighting system