Flashers

[Gagakev]

Can anyone who cycles answer a burning question I have?
Why do cyclist keep flashing all of the time, you know the ones, the ones which have there front lights on flash, how do they manage to actually see where they are going properly?
Some of them are really bright and can be distracting to the eye.
Is there a regulation regarding how bright they can be or are they all legal?

 

[Sproket]

On your point about constant lights. The human eye is drawn to things that move or change. Cars have constant lights, but they move quite quickly. The problem with a cyclist using only constant lights is that it’s relatively easy for a car driver or pedestrian not to notice the lights, ’cause they’re not moving fast enough.

Blinking lights are more visible to other road users because they attract attention.

However the human brain finds it hard to work out speed and distance where the light is blinking. So IMHO the best combination is to have both a flashing light and a constant light. The flashing light makes you more visible initially, the constant light means other road users can work out how far away you are and how fast you’re moving.
There are rules for cyclists in the Highwaycode

 

[Gagakev]

Thanks for the explanation Sproket, so flashing is permitted

Still annoys me though

 

[Gabsgrandad]

Thanks for the explanation Sproket, so flashing is permitted

Still annoys me though

Shame! At least it means you've seen it.
Which is a bonus to all us two wheelers, (I didn't see him officer!! The most common exclamation when four wheels wipes out two wheels )

THINK BIKE?

 

[Martin24]

Perhaps they enjoy flashng!!! Each to their own!!

 

[RogerL]

My understanding is that the flashing lights are permitted - but they also need constant lights to comply with the regulations.
It's very unsafe for cyclists to be out on unlit roads at night - whatever lighting they have.

 

[Sproket]

Can anyone who cycles answer a burning question I have?
Why do cyclist keep flashing all of the time, you know the ones, the ones which have there front lights on flash, how do they manage to actually see where they are going properly?
Some of them are really bright and can be distracting to the eye.
Is there a regulation regarding how bright they can be or are they all legal?

Just nipped up to the supermarket, up a street with car's parked on each side & one comes strait through flashing his blinking high power one million watt light ..........

Proper blinding it was........

Glad i gave way to him............

Turned out to be a plastic bobby ( PCSO )

 

[Past_it]

Sometimes I think bikers should "Think Car"

 

[Dustydog]

British Rail, as was, discovered that a flashing rear light on the train was more easily visible than a static red which could be confused witha signal.
The lights on my bike give me the option of static or flashing. They are LEDs . However I've yet to find a really decent front light that illuminates the road, so flashing mode tends to get used most of the time so hopefully I get seen!!

 

[Damian]

Taken from Highway Code:
At night your cycle MUST have white front and red rear lights lit. It MUST also be fitted with a red rear reflector (and amber pedal reflectors, if manufactured after 1/10/85). White front reflectors and spoke reflectors will also help you to be seen. Flashing lights are permitted but it is recommended that cyclists who are riding in areas without street lighting use a steady front lamp.
[Law RVLR regs 13, 18 & 24)]

 

[Joann]

British Rail, as was, discovered that a flashing rear light on the train was more easily visible than a static red which could be confused witha signal.
The lights on my bike give me the option of static or flashing. They are LEDs . However I've yet to find a really decent front light that illuminates the road, so flashing mode tends to get used most of the time so hopefully I get seen!!

You will find good lights anywhere that sells mountain biking gear, online try Wiggle or Evans Cycles, some offroad lights would be too bright for oncoming traffic though.

 

[Surfer]

I have nothing against cyclists and was one myself, but I am very wary of cyclists at all times. As mentioned in an earlier post, cyclists should be aware that there are cars on the road. Last week while ambling through Malvern in the truck and lucky for a lady we were ambling, a lady was cycling along the road looking straight ahead as we approached from her rear.
Suddenly and without any warning her right arm shot out and she turned right, that is from being on the nearside of the lane across the front of the truck across the other lane and up a side road. I literally stood on the brakes to avoid hitting her while swinging to my left. She carried on as if nothing had happened, but in the meantime the air was blue in the car. Even at 20mph if I had hit her, the bull bar would have done a bit of damage. For once the wife agreed with me!
I also find it annoying when they cycle next to one another on the road and prevent you from passing, but the most annoying habit is that they think the rule of the road does not apply to them and they can cycle against red lights. This is in addition to cycling on pavements causing you to jump out of their way!

 

[Gagakev]

Shame! At least it means you've seen it.
Which is a bonus to all us two wheelers, (I didn't see him officer!! The most common exclamation when four wheels wipes out two wheels )

THINK BIKE?

Have you got a flashing light on your motorbike then Gabsgrandad? Thought I was refering to cyclists.
But on your subject of motor bikes, I drive the A380 towards Torquay every day and on some of the lamp posts are great big yellow signs which read LOOK IN YOUR MIRRORS FOR BIKERS which you then do automatically which I think is a good thing as you tend to look in your mirrors more often then you would other wise.
Now when one of your biker friends come's up behind, you pull over to the left but in doing this you hope there is not a cyclist in the cycle lane!!

 

[thursdays child]

I think anyone who rides a bicycle in the big cities is very brave!! I do wonder why someone has not developed a nice big adjustable light that has the option of full or dipped beam.We live in a tiny village and have quite a lot of people who cycle the lanes to work in the dark.
Just for a bit of sympathy I dot a bad told I have and Himself is being a very good nurse.AAHTISHOOO!! Sorry if I sprayed anyone.
Thursdays Child (Dame of WC)

 

[Joann]

In this age of LED lights for £3 some cyclists still ride in evening rush hour with no lights at all flashing or otherwise, I wonder if they realise they are completly invisible at any distance. Maybe they would prefer a ruptured spleen rather than spend £3 on a rear light.
Then again we drove to Withernsea in a blanket of dense fog on Sunday and there were equally invisible cars with no lights on.

You can get excellent. adjustable bike lights but they are expensive, as much as a cheap bike in some cases.