Bicycle Lights too Bright?

[Caerus]

A friend of mine that is starting to get into mountain biking made the comment to me the other evening when he saw how bright the light was that I use to commute with is.

 

It also didn't help the cause, when for a laugh, I shone the light directly at his face and blinded him for a few seconds. He mentioned that he could not see for about 5 secs after. I've even done it to myself accidentally when looking into the light directly and it blinded me temporarily.

 

Then last night I was driving to a mates house and noticed that there was a group of 3 riders at about 6.15pm at the Woodbridge Island/ Marine Drive intersection that had a light so bright it blinded me while I was sitting in the car, the persons light was blinking and was making it worse.

 

So, surely this can't be good? I can foresee an accident happening because of this. Should people that are riding with these bright lights not rather point them towards the ground more, and also possibly set the light to a lower setting while riding on the road? Is that not a bit of common sense, really

 

What are your thoughts?

[Guest Smimby]

Had the same experience. Especially when in strobe or flash mode. Been blinded in my car as well as on my bike by people from the front.

[udxcob]

The lights are set too high, they shouldn't be shining so far ahead but just a little in front of you them it won't blind anyone

[Guest Karma]

too* bright.

[LOOK695]

I normally dim my light when vehicles approach from the front and will then change my light to flash mode as the sun has come up. Flash mode draws more attention during day time and is more visible. All of my riding is done on open roads out of town. We need to be considered to other road users concerning with our bright lights

[fanievb]

I normally dim my light when vehicles approach from the front and will then change my light to flash mode as the sun has come up. Flash mode draws more attention during day time and is more visible. All of my riding is done on open roads out of town. We need to be considered to other road users concerning with our bright lights

 

+1 I reckon you dim and bright your car lights why not you bike light, its just good manners

[Caerus]

The lights are set too high, they shouldn't be shining so far ahead but just a little in front of you them it won't blind anyone

They were set way to high, and beamed onto the road, especially in Cape Town, there is so much light around. I cannot fathom how the person riding the bike does not even think about it?

[Caerus]

Are there any regulations for the brightness of bicycle lights when riding on the road? Off the beaten track I can understand.

[fanievb]

Are there any regulations for the brightness of bicycle lights when riding on the road? Off the beaten track I can understand.

 

i know they test your lights (car) during roadworthy, to check if they are bright enough but don't know if there are any limits on how bright they are allowed to be. maybe ask one of the road traffic act experts on the forum to enlighten us (i'm to lazy to go read the act)

[GaryvdM]

I agree. I have a bright light, so I make sure that it is pointing at the road. I also cover it will my hand when approaching pedestrians.

[Skott5]

Those mega powerful lights are meant to be used when riding trails at night and there is nothing else except stars, and if you lucky a moon.

It's entirely not neccesary when commuting and you only need make yourself visible to motorists and otehr road users with a single flashing LED.

[Beesrib]

my light from extremelights is also very bright, i try and angle it more downwards towards the road..

 

only go to flash mode when i see there is trouble coming

[Akon]

Agree. I've mentioned this in the past too.

 

Couple of guys (currently) and a couple of groups (in summer time) riding out of Kuilsrivier, over Polkadraai in Stellenbosch' direction serial offenders...

 

 

[Music Pirate]

Road Traffic Act Regulations: "178. Lamps on pedal cycle

178. (1) A pedal cycle may be fitted in front with a lamp emitting a white light, the intense part of the beam of which shall, when such pedal cycle is on a reasonably level road, strike the surface ahead of such pedal cycle at a distance of not less than three metres and not 178more than 30 metres.

(2) A pedal cycle may be fitted with one or more lamps emitting a red light directly to the rear."

[Grebel]

Seems like there is no middle ground.... We complain that either the lights are too dim or they are too bright. Seriously, too bright? Shining the light into someone's eyes from half a meter away is a LOT different than seeing it from 50m away. I made the same mistake of looking into my light at close range. Messed me up for a while. I can honestly say that I have never been blinded by an oncoming bicycle light and I see a few early in the morning. Distracting yes, but that's kind of the idea. To be seen. Job done. When I used to ride early mornings, I wanted to see as far ahead as I could to be able to avoid potholes, broken glass and any other obstacles in the road. You can't take evasive action with the light shining 5m in front of you...

[fanievb]

Found It

 

 

Regulation 178

 

Lamps on pedal cycle

 

(1) A pedal cycle may be fitted in front with a lamp emitting a white light, the intense part of the beam of which shall, when such pedal cycle is on a reasonably level road, strike the surface ahead of such pedal cycle at a distance of not less than three metres and not more than 30 metres.

 

(2) A pedal cycle may be fitted with one or more lamps emitting a red light directly to the rear.

 

Some other interesting regulations regarding vehicle fitness i.e. roadworthy just search "pedal cycle"

 

NATIONAL ROAD TRAFFIC ACT REGULATIONS CH VI.pdf