Killer lights

[Fiona N]

Well, not actually but potentially.

I never thought I complain about a cyclist's light but a few mornings ago I drove the car (rare occurrence), leaving home before dawn. On an unlit country road, I saw a very intense, flashing light and assumed I was seeing a car halogen head light through a hedge or fencing causing it to 'flash' - but it was too regular. Eventually, the cyclist got close enough that my dipped headlights illuminated him/her. I was tempted to put my lights to full beam as the rapid flashing of the single LED-type light was destroying my vision (as obviously I couldn't NOT look in it's direction as it was directly ahead of me along the road I was driving) in a way that a fixed light wouldn't have. And I wonder how much good it was doing the cyclist in terms or seeing where he was going.
The flashing was pretty rapid (ca. 5 Hz) and I can imagine it causing real problems for some drivers. I certainly think it's irresponsibly anti-driver. I've complained long and often about car drivers not dipping their lights (either at all or soon enough) when approaching a cyclist but this cycle light seems to be deliberately aimed at the drivers more like a 'weapon' that something for illuminating the road ahead and being seen by - the fixed light alone would have been just as good in the latter and better at the former purpose. I also think that it will be likely to cause a combative response from the sort of generally inconsiderate drivers (I'm thinking BWMs, big flash SUVs etc. here) who will make a point of putting their lights on fullbeam - and let's admit it - this bike light was good but it wasn't comparable to full beam on a Rangerover or a big BMW coming at you.

So do you use your bike lights like a weapon or are you just happy to be seen (and light the road ahead)?

 

[Willow]

I agree I had a similar experience recently. Flashing at the back and steady and the front would be my preference as a driver and probably as a cyclist.

 

[Carwash]

I don't think it's irresponsibly anti-driver - I think it's irresponsible full-stop! I've been blinded by very bright flashing front lights like this both as a cyclist and as a pedestrian on a shared path. On both occasions I had no real option but to stop and wait for the cyclist to pass. Silly really.

 

[ufkacbln]

But unfortunately necessary.

I use an Exposure Enduro Maxx for commuting, and it is required to see the unlit cyclists on the paths.

There are also drivers who still cannot see me!

 

[Soltydog]

I've occasionally aimed my smart 10w light direct at cars but only when they are coming towards me with full beam on they soon get the message.
I normally have fixed lights on front, but sometimes add a small flashing cateye led, not to see where i'm going, but more to be seen

 

[Chuffy]

If it's straight in your eyes then it's not properly set up.

Helmet mounted lights are becoming more popular these days and I have severe doubts about the wisdom of using some of the powerful modern LED lights for anything other than off-roading. For example, the 3w Tesco torch is easily mounted on a helmet and I wouldn't want that blasted straight in my eyes....

 

[goo_mason]

I didn't realise my left-hand Ay-Up had been pointed up a little too far after remounting them following a wash until a darkly-dressed ped pushing a buggy on the Roseburn path said, "Blinding, lad !" as I passed him last Tuesday night.

Oops. I knew the other one was at the correct angle as it was pointing down at the path about 3- 4ft ahead, helping me avoid the ice and glass.

 

[Chuffy]

Baggy has a Lumi halide. Very, very bright. She has it angled at the floor about 2 yards in front. Despite that, she still gets grief from other cyclists (well, one bloke, we think) on the stretch of canal path on our commute. Mind you, the chap who throws up his hand and mutters 'f*ckin' hell!' as he goes by appears to be navigating with the aid of a small and rather poorly glow-worm on his bars.

 

[fossyant]

All I would say is....

If the cyclist has high powered LED's then they should be constant on unlit roads.... they still are no match for bog standard 55w dipped headlamps.....on a car...

This is an isolated situation.....no bike can compete with a car....flashing or not.

The person using such a bright flash was wrong, but as a cyclist yourself, you learn not to look at the light...just the road...

 

[Bollo]

I tend not to like the flashing lights, but if you're in a situation where your competing with lots of headlights, flashing lights can make you more distinctive as a cyclist. Its difficult, but I'd rather be seen than SMIDSYed.

I use a Lupine Betty when I'm out in the lanes which does start to compete with car headlights, especially as its got a wide beam angle. Because of this, I'm always pretty careful to have the switch within reach to dip it when anyone is approaching in much the same way as if I were driving. But, if they don't think to dip their headlights......

 

[LLB]

All I would say is....

If the cyclist has high powered LED's then they should be constant on unlit roads.... they still are no match for bog standard 55w dipped headlamps.....on a car...

This is an isolated situation.....no bike can compete with a car....flashing or not.

The person using such a bright flash was wrong, but as a cyclist yourself, you learn not to look at the light...just the road...

I was dazzled a couple of years ago nr Nottingham by a Halide Gas discharge lamp on a cycle. Fcuk me , it was like looking at a welders torch as it was set so high.

I've got halides on one of my cars and the only time I've had grief was when I was behind a very low car (Elise) and it bounces off their rear view mirror - but this happens all the time with this sort of driving position and goes with owning one of them.

 

[ufkacbln]

On a serious note it is down to design.

All my "bright lights" are off road lighting systems as these are what is available.

CAr headlights are focussed and filtere so thatthe upper half is not as bright, it is the lower half of the beanm pattern that lights the road.

Bicycle lights show a full beam. Hence even if (as I do) I align my beams as for a car or motorcycle, the upper beam wll still seem bright.

What we need is a full beam lighting system with a beam profile matching tha of a vehicle.

 

[John the Monkey]

Cunobelin, aren't the B&M lights along those lines (the Ixon IQ, and Ixon Speed are the ones I'm thinking of in particular). Looking at the design of the reflector, it seems to me that they'd throw a beam more like a car's.

 

[tdr1nka]

I have had the same situation as Goo with my AyUps so I check and angle mine before every ride.
I have even thought about making some kind of hood/visor for using the lamps in town.

 

[Bodhbh]

Another Ayup-er here. Learnt pretty quickly that they make a splash and now keep them strongly angled down about town. Had a few incidents prior to that with drivers either flashing me, undipping headlights, and one case where someone turned his lights off altogether to make the point. They also drive peds nuts on the section of the commute which is shared use cycle path, even if they are angled down. It's tempting to have a backup weaker light on the bars for about town tbh.

Will keep at least 1 angled up tho if riding out of town, but really wish they could be dipped.