Cycle lights: should they flash or not?

[Orang Utan]

Ah right, so riding defensively is just riding well and safely

 

[gaijingirl]

Ah right, so riding defensively is just riding well and safely

pretty much... life savers that sort of thing.

 

[weepiper]

Ah right, so riding defensively is just riding well and safely

Yup. Basically I assume that every other road user is a psycopathic moron out to kill me and occupy a position that protects me as far as possible - i.e. well out from the kerb so you have some space to escape into

 

[kabbes]

I wear a green illuminated jacket and use a cat's eye front light.
There's no way I'm gonna wear a light on my head!

I'd prefer if you did. I'd like the maximum opportunity to avoid killing you, leaving me a mentally scarred wreck for the rest of my life. I'm sure that with your jacket and front light there is a 98% chance I'll see you, but wouldn't you like that to be 99% if you could do something easy?

 

[rover07]

Yep flashing lights are rubbish, they're distracting and obscure the view of the cyclist so you cant see what they are going to do, indicate, pull out etc.

Why oh why did they start making flashing ones, totally unnecessary.

 

[newbie]

Why oh why did they start making flashing ones, totally unnecessary.

because the battery lasts 50% longer, which means the number of flat batteries and dark riding per winter is halved

 

[kabbes]

I quite like the flashing ones, because they attract my attention. But I'd prefer it if they weren't relied on, because they make it difficult to judge the situation. Go for a flashing one on your head and a static one on the bike.

 

[gentlegreen]

because the battery lasts 50% longer, which means the number of flat batteries and dark riding per winter is halved

this is what you want :-

The 10 degree, 4 watt Cree LED in the middle is a bit vicious for close combat though ...

 

[newbie]

this is what you want :-

The 10 degree, 4 watt Cree LED in the middle is a bit vicious for close combat though ...

sort of. I've been thinking about a rope of LED's wound round the frame so there's flashing visible from all angles. Some sort of central battery, maybe under the saddle, and a single switch.

 

[Orang Utan]

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=DLtbeU8FJW0&feature=related

 

[Biddlybee]

I reckon you're more likely to get hit with them ^ right distraction.

I'd probably fall off my bike if someone cycled past me with lights on like that

 

[soam]

flashing light on front, blue fairy lights on frame and red flasher on the back for me. If out off roading at night then my fuck off light and motion light on as well - bit too bright for road use really unless aimed right at the frpnt tyre, in which case it bathes the road around my bike in light - ultra visible

Although i'm not fully sure its legal to have blue lights on the bike - anyone?

 

[gentlegreen]

Although i'm not fully sure its legal to have blue lights on the bike - anyone?

I doubt anyone will mistake you for an emergency vehicle.

 

[chegrimandi]

after a clear out of the shed this weekend I've found 3 bike lights. I'm now officially the safest rider in the east.

 

[Termite Man]

I have a 1 flashing rear light and 1 flashing 1 constant front light . I think flashing is better although it can apparently disorientate people who are driving after having a drink so constant is better at late at night !

 

[nino_savatte]

Mine don't flash.

 

[gentlegreen]

It's gone from the sublime to the ridiculous recently.

I had to cover my eyes three times in 10 minutes on the local cycle path this morning.

I'm not sure that seeing a bike ominously looming from half a mile off and then being blinded when it actually arrives is particularly useful. It certainly spoils that section of the ride for me - like seeing police cars everywhere.

There's still the odd comedy flashing green front lamp for light relief ...

I'm fairly satisfied with my own lights now. I'll put on the high beam if I think it's appropriate.