daytime flashing rear light

[Tacfarinas]

Hi,

The other day I saw a cyclist riding by with a single red tail light blinking at fairly slow intervals. It was a bright sunny day, but the slow flashing red was amazingly bright, and seemed to me likely to significantly enhance the awareness of drivers about the presence of bicycle.

So I'm interested; do others ride with a daytime running light of this sort? And if so what do you recommend? (Unfortunately the guy was going a little to fast for me to ask at the time).

[JeffB502]

It could have been a Dinotte 140L (http://store.dinottelighting.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=dinotte&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=15011012&Count2=932151436). They are $169 with batteries and charger, or currently on sale for $105 without batteries/charger. There are 3 different flash modes on the light, one of which would be a slow single flash.

I run 2 rear facing 140Ls and I have received many comments on their excellent visibility even on bright sunny days. I even had a guy in a pickup truck ask me about them while I was waiting in a left hand turn lane to turn left the other day, and I had time to give him the website information before I got the green arrow :).

[DieselDan]

We use red rear tailights during the day here because of dense canopies that cause dark shadows all day.

[Dchiefransom]

A Planet Bike Superflash Blinkie is very noticeable in daylight.

[misterE0]

I use a basic cheapo Viewpoint blinkie in the daytime. I'm not sure how visible it is, but It's gotta be better than nothing.

[revolator]

http://www.biketiresdirect.com/Images400x267/PBBSF-1.jpg

This is what I was using this past Monday on LI.

[Bekologist]

Planet bike superflash, Niterider wired taillight or the Dinotte are some of the few. the new Vetta wired rear display is also hella bright for daytime use.

I strongly recommend running daytime visible lights, both front and rear.

[ottawa_adam]

I run my Superflash during the day. I've even had other commuters "remind" me that I forgot to turn my rear light off. That's proof positive that it works.

[meaculpa]

I also run the Superflash on my seatbag as well as the Mars2.0 on my rear rack. On the front I run two lights, one flashing one steady. One lbs guy ragged me good about these flashing lights until I told him how I ended up practically under someones front wheel. Then he understood my cautions.

You have to assume you're not registering with drivers unless you add some weird attention-grabbing elements. Even then, I still have drivers & peds who just don't see bikes on the road, they're so tuned for car-shaped things.

[c_m_shooter]

I use one also. It can't hurt, and the batteries last so long in these led taillights that cost shouldn't be a consideration.

[RTC_Kartik]

I just installed a set of reelights (http://www.reelight.com) on my bike this weekend. Not terribly bright during the daytime (though visible), but I love the concept. Never have to worry about forgetting my batteries again!

[mangosalsa]

Yes, I run the front/rear blinkies day and night. The human eye is attracted to blinking lights. The more aware I can make them of my presence, the better. I think mine is a Planet bike, it's a small one, model unknown.

[John E]

To help define my space on the road and because motorists are more attentive to horizontal than to vertical structures, I have often thought a half meter long horizontally mounted bar of flashing LEDs would be far more effective than a familiar "blinkie." Perhaps even more attention-getting would be to have each LED flashing randomly and asynchronously with the others.

[SonataInFSharp]

I used to run my PlanetBike Superflash during the day, but now I have a super nerdy reflective neon yellow vest that I wear which is bright enough that I don't feel I need the light any more during the day.

I have had quite a different type of response/respect from other motorists since I have had my vest, which indicates to me that my vest is much more visable/noticable than the light was during the day.

[bikingbrit]

I use one of these in addition to a reflective vest:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200199974_200199974

It uses lotsa juice, requires a sturdy mount, but gets the job done. The brightest SAE category. Several positive comments from motorists. With an amber light there is less concern about getting hassled by the police. Red flashing lights are permitted only for fire and police vehicles around here, but amber is basically unregulated.

[TXChick]

I don't use mine during the day, but it's a good idea. I generally turn mine on about half an hour before sunset, if I'm out then.

[geo8rge]

'significantly enhance the awareness of drivers' - If they don't see you on a bike (in day light), why do you think they will see that little red thing blinking. Do not put too much faith in blinkies.

[littlewaywelt]

I run all my lights any time I'm on my commuter bike. I don't want there to be any possibility that there's any way the driver can say he didn't see me or that any reasonable and prudent person would say he couldn't see me.
For rear facing lights I have a Superflash on my helmet, a Cateye LD1000 on my commuter bag, a superflash on the seatpost and another Cateye LD1000 on the rear rack.
-Add to that neon lime cycling jacket or vest and a ton of reflective tape on the bike and wheels

[genec]

'significantly enhance the awareness of drivers' - If they don't see you on a bike (in day light), why do you think they will see that little red thing blinking. Do not put too much faith in blinkies.

I have a feeling this discussion is about something greater than "that little red thing blinking."

Try thinking beyond the typical little blinkie.

[littlewaywelt]

'significantly enhance the awareness of drivers' - If they don't see you on a bike (in day light), why do you think they will see that little red thing blinking. Do not put too much faith in blinkies.

It's the same reason that a police car is instantly identifiable to you as different from other cars. The light triggers a what is that / I need to pay attention reflex in the brain. It's the same reason cars with DRLs are more noticeable, too.

[principe azul]

Yes, I run a Dinotte 140L in rapid pulse (five max power strobes in rapid succession, then a pause, but with the light constantly on at 25% power). Also their amber front light, same pattern. On the AA battery model, battery life is about 6hrs rather than 12hrs on pulse (on-off), compared with 2hrs for 100% power on solid.

Used to run a couple of Superflashes (preferred them to the Cateye), and they seemed brighter than anything else out there apart from the Dinotte, judging off other bikes. Would still run them but I can't find a good place to mount them on my folder that doesn't get in the way of the Dinotte, so I'll keep them for attaching to a bag at night. They're good lights, not as bright as the Dinotte, but definitely recommended. Small, bright, good battery life, inexpensive - what's not to like?

I reckon even a weak blinkie is better than nothing, but a weak blinkie (or one where the batteries haven't been changed in months) is more noticeable during the day (because few people run them) than at night (when it's in competition with other, brighter lights). Again from observation, in full sun a dayglo vest is more noticeable than a rear light, but a rear light is more noticeable in shade and a good rear light will reflect off a queue of traffic and can attract attention where some drivers can't actually see the cyclist.

That said, I've never cycled into the back of another cyclist, so I can't speak for drivers...;)

But in all my years of cycling I never ran daytime lights until I moved to a city where some people do, and I noticed them. Sometimes I feel it's all overkill when I'm behind cyclists who don't even look or signal before pulling out into heavy traffic, let alone worry about rear lights, but there you go...:rolleyes:

[JeffS]

'significantly enhance the awareness of drivers' - If they don't see you on a bike (in day light), why do you think they will see that little red thing blinking. Do not put too much faith in blinkies.


For me, it's not about seeing, it's about noticing. People will notice a flashing light long before they notice the bicycle rider. The more time they have to prepare for the pass, the happier we both are.

[mechBgon]

'significantly enhance the awareness of drivers' - If they don't see you on a bike (in day light), why do you think they will see that little red thing blinking. Do not put too much faith in blinkies.

I dare you to hold a DiNotte 140R aimed at your face. With your eyes closed. Or my Nova...

http://www.mechbgon.com/overlook_THIS.jpg

(want some video footage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3cy6KSr8wk) with that?)

I was driving in overcast daylight the other day and spotted a rider ahead with a very "average-powered" taillight, namely one of these: http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/taillights.asp#rackmounted It wasn't even blinking and it was still the first thing I noticed from ~2 blocks away. A $12 Planet Bike Blinky 5 has considerably more punch than that, especially if it's in blinking mode (and properly aimed).

I was also on a road ride with some pals who mostly had either SuperFlash or Blinky 5. I hung back with the slowest guy, resulting in the fast guys being about 3/4 mile ahead on a highway. You couldn't even tell there were cyclists ahead... except for the blinkies. That was about 1 hour before sundown.

So if you have a decent blinkie and a rechargeable-powered LED headlight, then turn 'em on, people, what do you have to lose? If you have a feeble relic of a blinkie, get a Blinky 5 and/or a SuperFlash and ensure they're aimed dead-level for full effect.

[TiberiusBTkirk]

I like to see how far I can see a bicyclist's rear blinky light.
usually after one long block it gets blurry, this is during dusk.

I'd like to know between a red or amber flashing rear light,
which is the preferred color?

[DieselDan]

I like to see how far I can see a bicyclist's rear blinky light.
usually after one long block it gets blurry, this is during dusk.

I'd like to know between a red or amber flashing rear light,
which is the preferred color?

Red has usually indicated the rear of a vehicle.

[wirehead]

In California, it's actually illegal to have a flasher on your bike..... which doesn't actually stop anybody, mind you.

[WhichWay]

In California, it's actually illegal to have a flasher on your bike..... which doesn't actually stop anybody, mind you.

Not sure this is true. The only restriction I'm aware of is that you can't use flashing BLUE lights unless you are an officer (CVC 21201.3(b)) http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21201_3.htm

[JeffB502]

Flashing lights are prohibited on all vehicles in California except those that are specifically authorized to display flashing lights (the only exceptions are turn signals, and turn signals flashed simultaneously as hazard warning lights, which can be used on any vehicle, but there are restrictions on when hazard lights may be used).

California Vehicle Code section 25250 states:25250. Flashing lights are prohibited on vehicles except as otherwise permitted.
Sections 25251-25282 are a lengthy list of which vehicles are authorized to use flashing lights and under what circumstances. Bicycles are not specifically authorized to use flashing lights. However if you were using your bicycle as a company vehicle and actually engaged in the act of road construction near a highway, for example, you would be authorized to use a flashing amber warning light while actually engaged in road construction activity.

Of course I'm just looking at the Vehicle Code here...maybe somewhere along the line a judge decided that 25250 doesn't apply to bicycles?


I like to see how far I can see a bicyclist's rear blinky light.
usually after one long block it gets blurry, this is during dusk.

I'd like to know between a red or amber flashing rear light,
which is the preferred color?
These 2 sections in particular may be useful to TiberiusBTkirk.

25268. No person shall display a flashing amber warning light on a
vehicle as permitted by this code except when an unusual traffic
hazard exists.

25269. No person shall display a flashing or steady burning red
warning light on a vehicle except as permitted by Section 21055 or
when an extreme hazard exists.

Seems like the vehicle code says amber is for "unusual traffic hazards" and red is for "extreme hazards."

Not sure this is true. The only restriction I'm aware of is that you can't use flashing BLUE lights unless you are an officer (CVC 21201.3(b)) http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21201_3.htm Also note that vehicle code section 21201.3(b) prohibits the use of a solid (non-flashing) blue light on a bicycle.

[dobber]

I run 2 rear facing 140Ls and I have received many comments on their excellent visibility even on bright sunny days. I even had a guy in a pickup truck ask me about them while I was waiting in a left hand turn lane to turn left the other day, and I had time to give him the website information before I got the green arrow :).

Have to ditto the comment about Dinotte taillights. I often ride rural roads and have been using the Dinotte for about a year. The change is noticeable. Drivers seem more aware, as demonstrated by the greater distance they give when passing.

And I've had the occasional comments as to how far away drivers pick up on them.

[Bekologist]

A bike is NOT considered a vehicle in california! (ya'all can thank john forestor for that :rolleyes: he's real proud of it!)

Vehicle equipment standards in the CVC do not apply to bicycles, the restrictions quoted in the CVC does NOT apply.




just roll with it. you seriously think a cop will give you a ticket for running a red safety blinky in CA???? has this EVER happened????

I've seen riders with PB Superflashes up ahead of me on roads during the daytime almost a half mile out as they rode underneath tree canopies.

daytime visible lights WILL enhance ones' safety. you just need the able powered ones.

[JeffB502]

A bike is NOT considered a vehicle in california! (ya'all can thank john forestor for that :rolleyes: he's real proud of it!)

Vehicle equipment standards in the CVC do not apply to bicycles, the restrictions quoted in the CVC does NOT apply.




just roll with it. you seriously think a cop will give you a ticket for running a red safety blinky in CA???? has this EVER happened????

I've seen riders with PB Superflashes up ahead of me on roads during the daytime almost a half mile out as they rode underneath tree canopies.

daytime visible lights WILL enhance ones' safety. you just need the able powered ones.

So I can legally mount a multitude of forward-facing red Dinottes and/or a fire truck/ambulance light bar on my bike and it wouldn't be illegal? There's nothing in the "bicycle section" of the vehicle code prohibiting this... There's a section in the vehicle code similar to the "flashing lights" section prohibiting light bars on "vehicles" but I guess that doesn't apply to bicycles? The vehicle code also prohibits forward facing red lights except on "authorized emergency vehicles" but I guess that doesn't apply to bicycles since they're not vehicles?

Like I said I run 2 Dinotte 140Ls in the 5-flash burst mode, and you've probably seen my video of my full on lighting setup (before I toned it down a bit) here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCWWD-6tvD4). I never got bothered for that setup (even by the police officer that thought I was riding too far from the curb on a rainy night while running that setup). I'd just like to know for sure that I CAN'T be bothered for having the flashing lights (or if I am that I am clearly in the right legally). Right now it seems like a bit of a gray area in California. Of course I think bicycles should be authorized to run rear facing flashing red lights, forward facing flashing white lights, and amber lights flashing in any direction, and maybe they already are by a strange interpretation of CVC 21200, but I'd like to see them on the special list of vehicles authorized to do so just to alleviate some of the confusion.

[Bekologist]

Although not prudent, that's probably legal, as a bike is not classed as a 'vehicle' in CA State code.

Maybe some statute for environmental pollution or 'creating a roadside nuisance' might apply. :D

until California bicyclists start getting ticketed en masse for using blinking bicycle tailights, the question of strict legality is moot anyway. Have you heard of anyone getting a ticket for running a blinky and having that stick in a CA court? doubtful.....

[WhichWay]

Yes, a bike in California isn't a vehicle: "670. A "vehicle" is a device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved, or drawn upon a highway, excepting a device moved exclusively by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks." http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d01/vc670.htm

So the only sections of the CVC are sections which specifically deal with bikes, such as the blue light restrictions in 21201.3.

So light up my friends and turn your bikes into flashing Christmas trees. As long as you don't make an airplane think you are a runway, you should be safe ;)

[ken cummings]

I use one of these in addition to a reflective vest:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200199974_200199974

It uses lotsa juice, requires a sturdy mount, but gets the job done. The brightest SAE category. Several positive comments from motorists. With an amber light there is less concern about getting hassled by the police. Red flashing lights are permitted only for fire and police vehicles around here, but amber is basically unregulated.

I love that unit and will book-mark the site. If I get the new job I'll get one after a couple of paychecks. The www.allelectronics.com strobes are only about 2 joules of energy and can be painfully bright.

[LittleBigMan]

Hi,

The other day I saw a cyclist riding by with a single red tail light blinking at fairly slow intervals. It was a bright sunny day, but the slow flashing red was amazingly bright, and seemed to me likely to significantly enhance the awareness of drivers about the presence of bicycle.

So I'm interested; do others ride with a daytime running light of this sort? And if so what do you recommend? (Unfortunately the guy was going a little to fast for me to ask at the time).

For only $25, I bought a Serfas rear light that is extremely bright in the daytime. I actually have two, and I never look directly into them. :p

As for the usual argument about blinking lights being illegal in some places, this model can be set for non-blinking mode, as can almost every tail light. Where I live, cops have better things to do than to stop a cyclist for using a blinkie, especially since every bike shop in town carries them, and everybody uses them. It's pretty much the accepted practice.

Most cops where I live can distinguish a bicycle blinkie from an emergency vehicle strobe. :rolleyes:

[cwilliams]

One of the brightest tail lights I've ever used. http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19647&subcategory_ID=4322 I will flip it on during the day on occasion (mostly when I have a head on sun and a driver might seriously have a hard time seeing me, or when it's overcast) and during my entire evening ride.

[powerhouse]

Hi.

I ride with two types of blinkies of two different colors all the time for sake of safety. On the front of my bicycle, I have two white Beamer-Five lights, blinking alternatively. Toward the rear, I use three blinking Planet Bike Superflashes; two mounted on the chainstays of my bicycle and the third clipped to the back of my helmet. While riding, passing motorists give me plenty of space and people who have seen me have given me positive comments.

[Tildarion]

Yes I use lights in the day, i prefer not being hit.

[billwatson58]

A Planet Bike Superflash Blinkie is very noticeable in daylight.

+1