Commuting - Running lights?

Hey, I had a cool idea while riding home tonight. My manager mentioned to me a few days ago that I was still very hard to see at night, despite my tail blinkies and my orange reflective vest. He especially mentioned from the side. So I was thinking, what I need is some lights that can be seen from the side. Kind of like a bike version of the lights that some semi's have all along their trailers. I could have two or three lights on each side of my crossbar, maybe a few on my fork, all strung together off a battery and with a single switch. Maybe you could even package a light, a AA or AAA battery, and a small switch, and install it between spokes to have spinning wheel lights!

I wonder if anyone's done this? I have some questions along two lines. First, how effective would this be? What I have in mind is something like flashlight bulbs running off small household batteries like AA or maybe C or D, but would those be bright enough? I'm obviously not aiming to light my path, simply to make me more visible to drivers in my immediate vicinity.

My second group of questions is about the electronics, with which I have limited experience. I'm imagining I can buy things like plastic battery holders with terminals to attach wires to, bulb holders with same, etc. Would Radio Shack have everything I need, or if not, what are good online outlets? What about making it waterproof? Even more basic, where can I learn about matching bulbs and batteries, in terms of voltage and amperage?

If I end up doing this, I'll post a picture and let you know how it turns out!

Holiday lights, dude, holiday lights.

Side lighting? Can't see you?

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/lighting/index.html

This premium quality waterproof tail light features 10 LEDs, 6 facing straight back and 2 facing sideways on each side.
This is probably the brightest 2-AA cell blinky there is, thanks to CatEye's superior optics.

The LEDs are arranged in two banks of 5, with separate switches for the upper/lower banks. Each set of 5 LEDs can be independently set for either steady glow or one of three different flashing patterns for maximum conspicuity.

Comes with a quick-release seatpost mount, also fits standard reflector brackets with included hardware. 2 AA Batteries included.

Heard of Tireflys?

Heard of Tireflys?

Excellent idea, not to mention spoke reflectors and tires with reflective sidewalls.

But I gotta say ...........holiday lights would be way cool. If anybody says that any more.

I actually have a battery operated small set of tree lights that I put in a car once. It would work on a bike.

-- Can't wait to see the pictures. The more lights the better.

You could install the holiday light set that also beeps "Jingle Bells" through a pathetic speaker. You would be the ueber-geek (freek?) of the neighbourhood!

Or maybe you already are :).

--J

You local laws probably state you need wheel reflectors. The Radio Shack geeks can usually get you pointed in the right direction too.

Heard of Tireflys?
I hadn't, but they are cool! Thanks.

One concern: One of the FAQ's (http://www.tireflys.com/support/faqs.asp#p14) is
4. Are Tireflys legal in my area?
Please check with your local law enforcement.Why would they not be -- too distracting, maybe? Anyone know if this is a widespread issue?

I actually have a battery operated small set of tree lights that I put in a car once. It would work on a bike.
What battery did they run off of? Although I have been accused of being a computer geek and a general geek, I am not yet a bike geek a-la the Total Geekiness thread. (Only a matter of time, I suppose. The point is that I don't yet have that level of knowledge of lights and batteries.)

BTW, I decided last night to start off with the Cateye HL-EL500 (http://www.cateye.com/en/products/viewProduct.php?modelId=17&catId=7&subCatId=2) for a headlight, and yes, the TL-LD1000 (http://www.cateye.com/en/products/viewProduct.php?modelId=41&catId=7&subCatId=4) taillight, along with maybe a Tirefly for each wheel. Or maybe some Cateye SL-LD100's (http://www.cateye.com/en/products/viewProduct.php?modelId=32&catId=7&subCatId=4) would be a more traditional approach to the extra lighting I'm seeking in the spokes or along the body. (Unless can I rig up those holiday lights without too much hassle, 2manybikes! :))

I should mention my current lights are a Cateye HL-500 headlight, which I find barely bright enough even with good batteries, and the basic TL-LD120 3-LED model taillight.

Political Comment: Here in CA we have some of the dumbest lighting laws around.

That being said...

Tireflys are definately a good way to be seen. I run them anyway and haven't had problems. A friend runs them on his M/C and loves them.

In CA, I would recommend using white or amber on the front and red on the back. This matches the motor vehicle code requirements, so at least you have a something to refer to. Check your state

Don't use blue or green, the cops will cite you...we know! Blue is reserved for police vehicles and green is...well, see the first comment.

Someone posted a picture of a bike with a neon ground effects kit a while back.
I Just bought a blue neon tube for $2 (on clearance) and plan to zip tie it on the seat stay.
Enjoy

What does the law actually say?

Here we're required to have a white headlight visible from some distance and a red tail, likewise. Not that it's usually enforced, but that's the law.

I got a high beam and a low beam, 27 watts up front, 19 LED's in the back on solid, 3 LED's on my bag on blink.
If you miss me, you're probably blind.

Here you go, bostontrevor and powers2b:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21201_3.htm (http://)

I'm not sure in which state or country you guys ride. This is the skinny in CA

Also...

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21201.htm (http://)

See Item D. I'm no lawyer, but it doesn't seem to address side lighting at all.

I guess you could do this if you wanted too. :eek:

If you want them you can have them.

Just promise that If you really use them you must post a picture. :)

Ugh. CPSC. Mass allows the substitution of active tail light for rear reflector and reflectorized ankle straps for pedal reflectors.

(we also technically disallow ape-hanger bars but I don't know that it's ever enforced...see 'em all the time)

Bostontrever, what do you mean by ape hanger handlebars? On bicycles?

I know what they are in the M/C world.

Thanks.

I hadn't, but they are cool! Thanks.

One concern: One of the FAQ's (http://www.tireflys.com/support/faqs.asp#p14) is
4. Are Tireflys legal in my area?
Please check with your local law enforcement.Why would they not be -- too distracting, maybe? Anyone know if this is a widespread issue?

There seems to be an issue regarding legal color (s). I use yellow (the color of warning). There was an item on a thread regarding a potential problem with blue Tireflys; they might be mistaken for law enforcement in some places.

Red facing rear, white facing front, yellow to the side should keep you legal.

Here you go, bostontrevor and powers2b:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21201_3.htm (http://)

I'm not sure in which state or country you guys ride. This is the skinny in CA

Also...

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21201.htm (http://)

See Item D. I'm no lawyer, but it doesn't seen to address side lighting at all.

That's interesting - according to 21201.d.3 all clipless pedals are illegal to ride on the road with after dark! I've never seen a clipless pedal that has a reflector on both front and back.

Bostontrever, what do you mean by ape hanger handlebars? On bicycles?

I know what they are in the M/C world.

Thanks.

Same damn thing.

http://www.bicycledesigner.com/parts/thumbnails/99624b.jpg

What you need is the . . . Down Low Glow!!!

http://www.fossilfool.com/down-low-glow.htm

What you need is the . . . Down Low Glow!!!

http://www.fossilfool.com/down-low-glow.htm
Cool, cool. But:



Red facing rear, white facing front, yellow to the side should keep you legal.
I see only red, green, and blue lights pictured on their web site. Seems like yellow would be the ideal for commuting.



Don't use blue or green, the cops will cite you...we know! Blue is reserved for police vehicles and green is...well, see the first comment.
I couldn't figure out what first comment you meant by that. What's wrong with green (except being non-standard)?

I couldn't figure out what first comment you meant by that. What's wrong with green (except being non-standard)?

John, green just isn't an appropriate warning color, I guess.

My son was cited for having teeny green lights on the window washers on his truck. It was a major hassle to straighten it out. His "fix-it" ticket specifically said that forward-facing lights were not white or amber and we were required to fix it. Cutting the wires and rendering them just window washers wasn't good enough. We had to replace them with white and have them certified as being fixed at the police department. Sorry for the horror story. Such is life in SoCal.

Bostontrever, thanks for the photo. I can barely believe that thing, but whatever sells, I guess. I saw one for the first time at Sports Chalet last night. Ape-hangers are illegal on M/C's in CA, but I don't know about bicycles. Let me search CA DMV.

If you want them you can have them.

Just promise that If you really use them you must post a picture. :)
As promised:

As promised:


Thanks for the good photos John. It really does give you a LOT more side visibility! It's better than I thought. I bet even from a distance it's easy to see. I hope the batteries last a decent amount of time.
That looks like reflective tape on the front fender too. Good idea.

Nice bike too. I would have to cover it with the tarp. :)

I just bought a set of the Down Low Glow lights from Fossil Fool. They're great for side visibility.
I payed the extra Ten bucks and got Green for the back and Blue up front. Besides they're just so damn fly! Haven't been hassled by the cops. Yet. If I do I'll let everyone know.

Yes, the reflective tape on the front fender I just added, too. Would have put one on the back fender too, but the store only had one 21" roll, so I had to economize. The back fender faces up more than out, so I figured the front would be better if I could only do one. I did, however, apply the rest to the left sleeve of my coat, and got reflective velcro strips for my pant legs. So if they can't see me now, they shouldn't be driving! :eek:

My ultimate lighting plans are to replace the front lamp with a CatEye EL500 (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/lighting/battery.html) and the back with a LD1000 (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/lighting/battery.html), with one row blinking and one row steady. Maybe a set of TireFly's (http://store.tireflysonline.com/automotive-tireflys.html) too. But this will certainly do for now.

That's interesting - according to 21201.d.3 all clipless pedals are illegal to ride on the road with after dark! I've never seen a clipless pedal that has a reflector on both front and back.

What if your shoes have reflectors? I would think that would be enough.

Mass law allows the use of reflective ankle straps in place of pedal reflectors.

I have an HID headlight, good tailiight and small flashing helmet light, I use a Princeton Tec Aurora affixed with velcro straps. The flashing light is just for being seen. This helps quite a bit at night especially when you look at someone they will stop..

The light is up high and has slow and fast flashing modes.. The great thing is that it works on 3aaa batteries and is very lightweight and will run for 40 hours in flashing mode.. You hardly notice it's there but the drivers always stop when looked at..

That's interesting - according to 21201.d.3 all clipless pedals are illegal to ride on the road with after dark! I've never seen a clipless pedal that has a reflector on both front and back.

Allow me to amaze you then!

The strange thing is that my MTB pedals came with them, my road pedals did not. The chances of needing them on the road would seem to be higher than in the mountains...

So Cal..I was out riding last night...The Aurora light fits under my helmet..Pretty bright light for its' size...I use it for a second light in addition to the one on my handlebar..I find the original strap fits snugly under my helmet and about the back of my head.
I think that Aurora light moving about gives you added vision to look in different directions and hope has a real impact on motorists.

Cyclezelot,

If you get a velcro strap with a loop, a pump strap will work fine or you can get the velcro straps at rei.. You have the cut the strap off the aurora for it to work.. You can loop the strap through the 2 holes on the aurora and then run the velcro straps through your helmet and it works so well.. It lightweight and can work well as a being seen light and in a pinch can be used as a headlight.. I primarily use it in fast flashing mode for being seen..

Here is a pic: http://www.geocities.com/mar10stuff/girohelmetwaurora.jpg

So, 2manybikes sent me his Christmas lights, and I am using them proudly. The other night, I was parked outside the grocery store, picking up some stuff on the way home, when a 10-year-old (or so) boy came out of the store with his mother and saw my bike. He said, "Wow, cool! Look, mom! He's got Christmas lights on his bike. That is so cool!"

Nice to be cool sometimes, even (especially?) to a 10-year-old boy. :)

So, 2manybikes sent me his Christmas lights, and I am using them proudly. The other night, I was parked outside the grocery store, picking up some stuff on the way home, when a 10-year-old (or so) boy came out of the store with his mother and saw my bike. He said, "Wow, cool! Look, mom! He's got Christmas lights on his bike. That is so cool!"

Nice to be cool sometimes, even (especially?) to a 10-year-old boy. :)

Lollercakes.

Lollercakes.
Sorry, meaning?

Do what you will, mate but gobs of reflective tape & a vest are the
most effective less costly way to markedly increase your visiblity.
Why on earth do people have to buy every battery sucking device
ever made for bicycles?? Batteries have a way of dying on you
when you need them the most. :(

JB, humor, irony, something like that.

http://home.comcast.net/~ez3k137/lollerskates.gif

Tightwad, I wish it were true. The most effective way to improve your visibility is active lighting. There's just no substitute. Ideally this is supplemented by reflectors which can work better under direct lighting but require that someone first be close to you before you become visible. This is based both on my own personal experience coming up on unlighted but reflecterized cyclists as well as "expert" opinion.

http://homepage.mac.com/bicycle_driver/PhotoAlbum78.html
http://www.bikexprt.com/bicycle/reflectors/index.htm
http://www.bikexprt.com/witness/fabric/warning.htm

A cheap set of ultrabright LED lights are adequate for being seen, relatively cheap (at least as cheap as gearing up in a bunch of reflective clothing) and have superlative battery life with very acceptable failure modes. They gradual dim as the batteries die rather than just going dark. This gives you plenty of advanced warning to replace/recharge the batteries.

Sorry, meaning?

Same as lol, but more intense lol. What bostontrevor said :)

Allow me to amaze you then!

The strange thing is that my MTB pedals came with them, my road pedals did not. The chances of needing them on the road would seem to be higher than in the mountains...

I have snap in reflectors for two sided SPD MTB pedals.

I do wear a reflective vest, although it's a bit awkward with a backpack - either I have to put it on over the backpack, which is a pain and looks odd, but I normally do it anyway, or if it's under the backpack, the back of it is hidden so what's the point? I recently put a reflective strip down the left arm of my jacket, and on my front fender. I have a headlight and taillight, but my main concern, which started this thread, was being seen from the side.

hmmm...Frustrating is it? Motorcycle and car companies seem to have it figured out. Why the bike companies can't standardize front, side and tail lights is beyond me. Bike mfgs could sell light assembly packages could be an accessory.

Standardized lights would help identify bikes to motorists more readily.

Yeah, right. That'd require taking bicycles seriously as transportation, both by the manufacturers and the purchasing public.

As it stands, the CPSC requires a standard reflector kit. This requirement was strongly supported by the bike industry who felt that the additional cost of active lighting would negatively impact sales. They may be right.

Oh, sure, I hear the reasonable people saying, they could just sell them with the standard mounts and you could purchase the lights aftermarket. Yeah right, I still say. In this age when even a fender or rack eyelet is too much something to put on the latest and greatest (or even the cheapest and nastiest) bike, what makes you think they'll put on light mounts?