Flashing front lights on early morning rides

[madbradd]

I use a flashy red one on the back, and teo up front: a white flashy that I got in a trailseeker pack and a steady wide beam up aimed low and I turn that off when it gets light enough to ride without it.

 

Dunno if the white flashy is even visible with the steady one on.

 

Anyone ever used that reflective spray? I reckon a couple spots on your rims would do wonders for side visibility but no idea about the effects on breaking surface. Alternatively on the fork and rear triangle.

[Prince Albert Cycles]

When I used to ride in the dark I used a reflective Velcro strip around my right ankle . That is besides a flashing rear light .

[carbon29er]

Bright flashing front lights in darkness are not as safe as those who use them think they are.

 

For one, the cyclist using a front bright flashing light to be seen by oncoming motorists is not in any danger from those motorists as they are in separate lanes going in opposite directions.

 

The real danger comes from behind, not the front.

 

And I cannot tell you how often I see cyclists with a front bright flashing light with NO visible rear presence. Either no light or a wholly inadequate rear light.

 

Surely common sense dictates that a cyclist is in more danger of being hit when a vehicle travelling in the same lane approaches at speed and is suddenly confronted with a bunch of cyclists that wasn't seen until very late?

[eccc whippet]

I use a flashing red light on the bike and one on the helmet night and day...

at night a bright light pointed down to see the road...which i change to flashing as it gets light...and dim so it lasts for the duration of the ride.

 

i am still looking for a small blue flashing led to fit on the bike...especially for those early weekend rides when the drunks are heading home...no matter how small the blue light when a person is breaking the law they will see it from miles away...and would generally change route...1 dop over the limit or 20....some people are going to say it is illegal...well so is drunken driving...i havent seen a road block for drunk drivers this year...but i have witnessed 2 people die due to drunken driving and read about 2 being knocked off their bicycles by a drunken driver. 

[Hennie VR]

 

[Hennie VR]

Bright flashing front lights in darkness are not as safe as those who use them think they are.

 

For one, the cyclist using a front bright flashing light to be seen by oncoming motorists is not in any danger from those motorists as they are in separate lanes going in opposite directions.

 

The real danger comes from behind, not the front.

 

And I cannot tell you how often I see cyclists with a front bright flashing light with NO visible rear presence. Either no light or a wholly inadequate rear light.

 

Surely common sense dictates that a cyclist is in more danger of being hit when a vehicle travelling in the same lane approaches at speed and is suddenly confronted with a bunch of cyclists that wasn't seen until very late?

 

I have had fare more close calls from oncoming drivers passing other vehicles than from vehicles passing to close from behind.   

[eccc whippet]

just a note...Jarred had both his wheels fully illuminated...the entire wheel from hub to rim...5 flashing lights on the back which where still flashing when the bike was packed in the evidence bag..."apparently" the drunk driver still hit him at over 100km/hr...at no point do i recall hearing skidding tyres ...just the impact of metal on metal...carbon and then the thumping sound of the first body being hit..which went over the top of the vehicle and the then other which was thrown forward about 20 metres...the only other sound i recall was one person in the group shouting pedal...keep your line...pedal keep your line...which certainly helped...because all i wanted to do was look back and see what was coming at us.

 

the bottom line no matter how bright your lights...a drunk driver will still kill you...and still no court case 9 months later...everything has gone hush hush.

 

you might still have a chance if a driver is texting while driving...they might see a flashing light..especially a blue one.

[carbon29er]

I have had fare more close calls from oncoming drivers passing other vehicles than from vehicles passing to close from behind.   

Maybe you have. But when a vehicle is coming towards you it is possible to take evasive action as you can see it.

 

From behind you don't see them so you can take evasive action. Which is why the rear light is more important as you MUST give yourself the best chance of being seen.

[Sarge]

Hi isetech,

Reading your post was frightening and must have been a terrible "thing" to experience. It is a chilling encounter and I am sad for those that lost so much.

It also makes me cross that the authorities are so useless in enforcing the law.

Regards

Sarge

[madbradd]

I like the idea of blue lights. Imagine a whole group with blue lights... you'd look like a minister!

 

I think someone need to make flashy barplug lights.... 1 red 1 blue. As isetech said, then you can look like the police! And drunk drivers will DEFINITELY avoid you.

[Eddy Gordo]

Having blue lights on any vehicle is "illegal" LOL

However - I bought some rgb LED lights. They sqaure in shape and have 3 led's on each square. I have powered it with a 12v battery that one gets in a garage remote opener. I also bought a cheap led controller. 

I think all in all I spent about R200

I will def look into putting one of these lights on my helmet and select the best blue option on the controller as well as the blinking speed.

Thanks for the idea

[Fat Boab]

Flashing vs steady. Front vs rear. Head-on vs being skittled from behind?

 

I think the key thing is use both a rear AND a front light. Make sure they work and are charged, and that you've turned them on to....... flash or steady as you believe is more effective. 

 

PS I've been thinking of upgrading my front (Extreme-Light) light - the old battery is dying - and the thought of a white 10 W led for the front and flashing red 10 W led for the rear, probably running off the same battery is front of mind!

[DJR]

When I used to ride in the dark I used a reflective Velcro strip around my right ankle . That is besides a flashing rear light .

I was at the "horsey shop" in Noordhoek Village a few years back, just browsing, and the owner started talking safety with me because I was dressed in my riding kit. I ended up buying a pair of those luminous green/yellow reflective velcro strips for my ankles. They make it for the horses ankles and it fits us as well. Because it is on the most movable part of a cyclist (or a horse for that matter) it has a fantastic impact on visibility.

[flymango]

Flashing vs steady. Front vs rear. Head-on vs being skittled from behind?

 

I think the key thing is use both a rear AND a front light. Make sure they work and are charged, and that you've turned them on to....... flash or steady as you believe is more effective. 

 

PS I've been thinking of upgrading my front (Extreme-Light) light - the old battery is dying - and the thought of a white 10 W led for the front and flashing red 10 W led for the rear, probably running off the same battery is front of mind!

 

Shouldn't that be back of mind?

[Prince Albert Cycles]

Bright flashing front lights in darkness are not as safe as those who use them think they are.

 

For one, the cyclist using a front bright flashing light to be seen by oncoming motorists is not in any danger from those motorists as they are in separate lanes going in opposite directions.

 

The real danger comes from behind, not the front.

 

And I cannot tell you how often I see cyclists with a front bright flashing light with NO visible rear presence. Either no light or a wholly inadequate rear light.

 

Surely common sense dictates that a cyclist is in more danger of being hit when a vehicle travelling in the same lane approaches at speed and is suddenly confronted with a bunch of cyclists that wasn't seen until very late?

 Absolutely 100%

Add to that the nr of riders I see riding in the dark/dust with all black clothing . Safety comes before fashion.

[Hennie VR]

Maybe you have. But when a vehicle is coming towards you it is possible to take evasive action as you can see it.

 

From behind you don't see them so you can take evasive action. Which is why the rear light is more important as you MUST give yourself the best chance of being seen.

 

There is only so much evasive action you can take when a car pulls into your lane at the last moment. It does not guarantee that you will be able to avoid an impact.

 

Yes a visible rear light is very important but to say that cyclist aren't in any real danger from oncoming cars is just not accurate. Think about the oncoming car that wants to turn right at an intersection. That car will have to cross your path and if your not visible he/she will think it's safe to proceed which could have devastating consequences.