Flashing front bike lights

[CopperCyclist]

Interesting.

Basically what is the legislation surrouding the permitted type and use of bicycle front lights? Do front bike lights have to be on a continuous setting or is having them on flashing / strobe permitted? So if a car had flashing, pulsing lights would that contravene construction and use legislation? On the face of it it would be dangerous wouldn't it.

Truthfully, I wouldn't have a clue on the actual legislation for cycle lights. I never have (and in my current role almost certainly never will) had to use them. We've certainly never been trained in it either. Most of my current limited knowledge in this area actually comes from reading this forum since taking up cycling rather than work!

 

[Crosstrailer]

Well, honestly, ime, yes.

I regularly find badly driven Nissan's and Vee-Dubs, Fords, and Vauxhalls et all cross my paths but only those marques (Audi's, Mercs, Volvos and Beemers) seem to induce the deadliest form of motorised somnambulance in their operators. Which is, in turn, multiplied by their owners' heightened sense of entitlement. It's a heady mix I grant you.

Next time I go out I will try to keep my sense of entitlement in check LOL

 

[gaz]

I read what you have written Gaz, but source / authority?

Highway Code Rule 60

... Flashing lights are permitted but it is recommended that cyclists who are riding in areas without street lighting use a steady front lamp.

 

[CopperCyclist]

Here's what the CTC say on the matter: http://www.ctc.org.uk/desktopdefault.aspx?tabid=4071

 

[Crankarm]

Truthfully, I wouldn't have a clue on the actual legislation for cycle lights. I never have (and in my current role almost certainly never will) had to use them. We've certainly never been trained in it either. Most of my current limited knowledge in this area actually comes from reading this forum since taking up cycling rather than work!

Fair enough CC. Thanks.

I am not familiar with secondary legislation on bike lights wrt to flashing / strobe front lights.

 

[Crosstrailer]

A typcial arrogant cyclist. And you think cyclists are the only road users that get "pulled out on" therefore having such a light is justified? . I would suggest you get an Airzound instead.

So if ALL vehicles start using bright flashing strobe front lights it would be very dangerous on the roads, yes?

LOL I love people who can't argue without making sweeping generalisations or who have to resort to making personal attacks.

I have been pulled out on less times in my car than I have on my bike, but then again, the car is much easier to see isn't it, as it far larger and far better lit. Over the past year I cannot remember having a car pull out in front of me putting either my vehicle or my personal safety in danger. On my bike that has happened 4 times in the last month in daylight. I rarely ride at night but I will give myself every chance I can with that light I'm afraid.

No need to use flashing strobe lights on all vehicles but then again I suppose you have to try and justify your sweeping generalisations don't you ?.

 

[Crosstrailer]

Here's what the CTC say on the matter: http://www.ctc.org.uk/desktopdefault.aspx?tabid=4071

Right, so basically it's not illegal at all.

Thanks Copper

 

[Crankarm]

Highway Code Rule 60

Thanks Gaz. Moving on from HWC which are guidelines to the legislation

RVLR - Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations.

Requirements about the use of front and rear position lamps, rear registration plate lamps, side marker lamps and end-outline marker lamps


24.—(1) Save as provided in paragraphs (5) and (9), no person shall–

(a)use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road any vehicle which is in motion–

(i)between sunset and sunrise, or

(ii)in seriously reduced visibility between sunrise and sunset; or

(b)allow to remain at rest, or cause or permit to be allowed to remain at rest, on a road any vehicle between sunset and sunrise
unless every front position lamp, rear position lamp, rear registration plate lamp, side marker lamp and end-outline marker lamp with which the vehicle is required by these Regulations to be fitted is kept lit and unobscured.

Kept lit - so maybe flashing / strobe does not comply with this as the light will be on intermittently and therefore NOT kept lit. Interesting.


The BSI site does not show the full BS6102/3 content unless a fee of £48 is paid.

 

[Crankarm]

Right, so basically it's not illegal at all.

Thanks Copper

LOL I love people who can't argue without making sweeping generalisations or who have to resort to making personal attacks.

I have been pulled out on less times in my car than I have on my bike, but then again, the car is much easier to see isn't it, as it far larger and far better lit. Over the past year I cannot remember having a car pull out in front of me putting either my vehicle or my personal safety in danger. On my bike that has happened 4 times in the last month in daylight. I rarely ride at night but I will give myself every chance I can with that light I'm afraid.

No need to use flashing strobe lights on all vehicles but then again I suppose you have to try and justify your sweeping generalisations don't you ?.

Maybe you should seek out the legislation on cycle lights such as the RVLR and BS6102/3 rather than ranting?

The CTC page,

Lighting Regulations

Abbreviated to RVLR: the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 (amended in 1994, 1996, 2001, 2005, again in 2005 and 2009) require pedal cycles to have various lights and reflectors fitted, clean and working properly, when being ridden on a public road between sunset and sunrise. Cyclists may also be required to light up in conditions of seriously reduced visibility during the day, but only if they have functional lights already fitted. Lights are not required when the cycle is stationary or being pushed along the roadside.

It has to be said that the fine details of RVLR are seldom enforced; and provided you show some kind of white light in front and red behind you are unlikely to be challenged. If you are involved in a night-time accident however, any slight illegality with respect to your lights or reflectors may be regarded as contributory negligence.

The following items are the minimum required, on a bicycle or tricycle, in order to ride it legally at night:
Front Lamp

One is required, showing a white light, positioned centrally or offside, up to 1500mm from the ground, aligned towards and visible from the front. If capable of emitting a steady light it must be marked as conforming to BS6102/3 or an equivalent EC standard. If capable of emitting only a flashing light, it must emit at least 4 candela.
Rear Lamp

One is required, to show a red light, positioned centrally or offside, between 350mm and 1500mm from the ground, at or near the rear, aligned towards and visible from behind. If capable of emitting a steady light it must be marked as conforming to BS3648, or BS6102/3, or an equivalent EC standard. If capable of emitting only a flashing light, it must emit at least 4 candela.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

RVLR only apply at night time!

 

[Crosstrailer]

You stating my measured response to a personal attack is ranting -

To get this straight, I quoted from Coppers post (and you are now quoting at me !!?? ) a flashing front light is legal providing it meets the min 4 candela requirement ? So not only is your ranting comment as laughable as the arrogant one earlier, you are requoting what I have already quoted and are now arguing against yourself ?

Would you like to borrow a spade ?

 

[Boris Bajic]

Couldn't say, never owned any of the above, never wanted to own any of the above, never will own any of the above. Perhaps my mindset is symptomatic of another list of marques.

If a car or motorcycle or HGV in daylight flashes me as another road user, using its main beam that, as you say, is much like a high-aimed, powerful cycle lamp on a strobe setting, should I complain that I'm being dazzled?

Good question. By the way, I'm not a driver or rider of any of those either, nor have I been - although a ride on a borrowed C40 was about the happiest I've been on a bicycle.

Your questuion: When a car comes at me with its main-beams on, I flash to let the driver know. It's not 'complaining', but it soon stops. I forget sometimes, too. Most drivers forget occasionally... and other drivers just flash to remind us. The system works. When I'm cycling, high-beam headlights seldom trouble me, perhaps because my eyes are higher than the bulk of the beam. When they do trouble me, I find that putting a hand up to shade the eyes encourages the driver to dip.

With many cycle lamps it's different. Changing the setting is something that most people have to move a hand for, partially of fully. Many also have to look down. Much easier just to set the thing in the first place so it doesn't dazzle.

My joke comment about the mindset being similar was a follow-on from your earlier (joke) remark that you didn't give a toss whether you dazzled someone. I was just carrying on the humorous line, probably unsuccessfully.


Should you complain? No, I don't think so. I don't complain to cyclists who dazzle me with their strobo-fantastico lamps. But I don't find their thoughtlessness very warming.

 

[Ex EnergyMan]

If you buy the lights from Pound Land then you not only get noticed when riding but people feel sorry for you too !

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Good question. By the way, I'm not a driver or rider of any of those either, nor have I been - although a ride on a borrowed C40 was about the happiest I've been on a bicycle.

Your questuion: When a car comes at me with its main-beams on, I flash to let the driver know. It's not 'complaining', but it soon stops. I forget sometimes, too. Most drivers forget occasionally... and other drivers just flash to remind us. The system works. When I'm cycling, high-beam headlights seldom trouble me, perhaps because my eyes are higher than the bulk of the beam. When they do trouble me, I find that putting a hand up to shade the eyes encourages the driver to dip.

With many cycle lamps it's different. Changing the setting is something that most people have to move a hand for, partially of fully. Many also have to look down. Much easier just to set the thing in the first place so it doesn't dazzle.

My joke comment about the mindset being similar was a follow-on from your earlier (joke) remark that you didn't give a toss whether you dazzled someone. I was just carrying on the humorous line, probably unsuccessfully.


Should you complain? No, I don't think so. I don't complain to cyclists who dazzle me with their strobo-fantastico lamps. But I don't find their thoughtlessness very warming.

If my strobing were the greatest thoughtlessness I dished out on a given day I'd considered it a small moral victory.

I don't buy the dazzling bit hence my tinkers cuss is not available as a free gift.

EDIT: I'm a SAAB man myself, owned more of them than anything. Most fun I've ever had on a bike was on a Sunn. The next day I fell off a mountain on it.

 

[snorri]

Here's the thing, when you have a bright 'dazzling' blinky coming towards you, don't look directly at it.

Just like you don't look directly at car headlights..

That's right, instead you look down and drift towards the centre of the road, before you have even crossed the white line the selfish *** have slowed down and dipped their lights.
Works every time.