Commuting - Daytime flashing head light and tail light experiment results...

I have always been well lit when cycling after dark but recently (October 2012) I have added flashing lights during daylight hours with stunning results.

My front light is a NightRider Newt single beam. My rear light is a Dinotti 300R - both have rechargeable batteries that run flashing for up to 12 hours. Both are extremely bright and cost upward of $200 each. Both lights are rugged and well made.

When I first began running the lights by day, both in flashing mode, I found it obvious that cars were seeing me and reacting to me sooner. Cars overtaking me changed lanes to avoid me at least 100 feet sooner on average, and cars ahead were much less likely to attempt a right hook or cross from a stop sign into my path. Maybe they think I am some sort of cop as both lights are brighter than anything most motorists see on bicycles. After two months I am completely convinced running with the lights by day make a huge difference in my safety.

I cannot run the front light flashing after dark as besides being bright and annoying to the point of rudeness I have actually had motorists ahead of me pull over to the curb as if being taken down by a police car or passed by an ambulance. Yes, it is THAT bright. By day it is more obvious that the blinking light is attached to a bicycle, not a public service vehicle.

I always wondered if the cost of such lights would be worth any added safety by day, and my answer is YES! Thought you folks would like to know this.

Thanks for sharing.
I've made similar conclusions based on my own experience through the years. I now feel as naked without active lighting (day or night) as I do in a car without a seat belt on.

First, a big congrads on the increased visibility and positive results! Next - how much of that do you attribute to having flashing vs solid lights? I usually run flashing in the back and solid in front.

X2 on that one! Mine are not quite as bright but they are close and yes it makes a difference!

I have a bunch of articulated rubber bicycle light mounts. Every bike I have has one mounted on it. I use a 230 lumen flashlight that has a blinker mode. At night, the light is on solid and down front. During the day, it blinks and I point it a little to the left as to hopefully catch the eye of oncoming drivers.

The rear has two blinkers of different make. both blinking different patterns, one a slow on-off-on and the other sparkling.

I will be seen.

First, a big congrads on the increased visibility and positive results! Next - how much of that do you attribute to having flashing vs solid lights? I usually run flashing in the back and solid in front.

I've found a noticeable improvement with a front blinkie - I use a Planet Bike Blaze 2w on blinking mode.

Where I've really noticed it is:
- when approaching cross streets with stop signs (when I am on the main road with no stop), drivers do a double take and stop rolling forward. In the past (with steady, not blinking lights) such drivers have not seen me and have pulled out in front of me. Frequently.
- When approaching major intersections with cars turning left from the opposite direction (across my lane)

My 550 lumen light (mounted to helmet) gets motorists' attention when I have it in blink mode and look in direction of the vehicle. The blinking lights reflection on signs when approahing intersections gets noticed by multiple motorists. I set it to blink during day and in low light conditions.

...how much of that do you attribute to having flashing vs solid lights?

Never even tried solid front light by day but canyoneagle above has some input that I agree with regarding your question.

With my front light on blink mode (daytime), drivers are noticeably more cautious/courteous around me.

+1 on this. Flashing front LED makes a huge difference in how traffic responds. :thumb:

I'm not saying that having running lights won't help you, but I got run off the road and broke some ribs last Spring. Had running lights and hi-viz jacket at the time.

So while it helps, you need to remember that there will always be cars that... for whatever reason... can't see you.

I'm not saying that having running lights won't help you, but I got run off the road and broke some ribs last Spring. Had running lights and hi-viz jacket at the time.

So while it helps, you need to remember that there will always be cars that... for whatever reason... can't see you.

So true. I was hit last year. Lights on, safety jacket... the guy just wasn't paying attention and stop his car with the tire right on my left foot.

...you need to remember that there will always be cars that... for whatever reason... can't see you.

I have camo bar tape on my commuter handlebars. Every time I climb aboard the camo reminds me that I am going to war. My blinkies are just one line of tactical self-defense.

War? You are right about the strobe making a difference. I use them day and night, front and back. I asked a local police captain about the strobe at night. He said, " I would rather have that than get you up off the pavement with a paint scraper." Enough said? One of my co-workers thought I made quite a spectacle but I noted I have not been hit YET. I don't count all the times I have to dodge a cager for my own neck.

Yup, extremely bright lights are just another tool to keep the cyclist safe.

Today I picked up a Niterider Pro 1800 lumen LED which is going on my handlebars. Super excited to test this light out! The helmet is equipped with a Cygolite Turbo 740 xtra. The bar will be solid beam (at night) and the helmet will be full flash @ 740 lumens day and night.

Yup, extremely bright lights are just another tool to keep the cyclist safe.

Today I picked up a Niterider Pro 1800 lumen LED which is going on my handlebars. Super excited to test this light out! The helmet is equipped with a Cygolite Turbo 740 xtra. The bar will be solid beam (at night) and the helmet will be full flash @ 740 lumens day and night.Hey Agent, after a couple of days write a review of the 1800 - I use the 1500 (which is last year's model of the same light) and it is awesome. I'm interested in reading your impressions of the new version :)

Dinotte daytime 200 lumen amber front & red rear flashers here. I have received many comments/complements about how far away I was noticed by motorists. I usually get a little more room from most rear passers, but feel the front is the most valuable.

Hey Agent, after a couple of days write a review of the 1800 - I use the 1500 (which is last year's model of the same light) and it is awesome. I'm interested in reading your impressions of the new version :)

Will do :)

Any camera settings you recommend I shoot with?

EDIT:

There is...NO LIGHT inside the NiteRider box!:mad: I opened it up this morning and everything is inside a black sleeve but no lamp is there. I'm freaking out have to wait for the LBS to open at 10 AM

I love lights, all different colors and creative configurations on the bike. I have noticed that strange lighting has made my already easy commute even moreso.

Hopefully sort of on-topic :
When I lived in South Floridistan, I commuted in a pretty hostile environment. S.FL car people will never win any Nobel Peace prizes . . .
I commuted on an old single speed klunker bike that had a tool pouch on the back. One day I found a really nice American flag that had obviously just blown off one of those window pole units. I hung it from the top of the pouch and literally--on the same stretch of road--I got immediate respect. From buzzing me to giving me a nice wide berth. I left it on for a while and would recommend trying one out if you have a hostile commute or suffer hi-redneck factor in your area :thumb:

I am so infuriated! I hope this is will be resolved. $300 on a ****ing light and no light!

I've found a noticeable improvement with a front blinkie - I use a Planet Bike Blaze 2w on blinking mode.

Where I've really noticed it is:
- when approaching cross streets with stop signs (when I am on the main road with no stop), drivers do a double take and stop rolling forward. In the past (with steady, not blinking lights) such drivers have not seen me and have pulled out in front of me. Frequently.
- When approaching major intersections with cars turning left from the opposite direction (across my lane)
That is exactly my experience. +1 on the blinky.

I don't ride without at least 1 front light blinking in the daytime.

I am so infuriated! I hope this is will be resolved. $300 on a ****ing light and no light!

:( I'd be pretty mad too.

I am so infuriated! I hope this is will be resolved. $300 on a ****ing light and no light!

Awful! :twitchy: Hope they send you two for emotional trauma!


I don't ride without at least 1 front light blinking in the daytime.

Do you think front light is more important than rear light in daytime? Why?

I've found a noticeable improvement with a front blinkie - I use a Planet Bike Blaze 2w on blinking mode.
(snip)


Ooooopppps!! OK - now we have more variables - power output and color. You're running 2W white lights in flashing mode and I'm running twin 10w white lights or twin 3W amber lights in solid mode.

Apparently it all works - which is the most important thing.

I am so infuriated! I hope this is will be resolved. $300 on a ****ing light and no light!

Wow! Where or how did you buy that? Where I'm working that would have been an over-the-counter exchange.

ALL OK!

I went to the shop and they apologized for the situation. My missing light was out on top of another Niterider 1800 box as a display.

Thank goodness! Can't wait until darkness to give this light a whirl :)

My question was buried, so I repeat my questions re daytime lighting:

a) Which is more important, front light or rear light, and why?
b) Which is better, white front + amber/red rear, or amber front + red rear?

P.S. Congratulations agent!

My question was buried, so I repeat my questions re daytime lighting:

a) Which is more important, front light or rear light, and why?
b) Which is better, white front + amber/red rear, or amber front + red rear?

P.S. Congratulations agent!

All of them are better.

I have had two approaching vehicle stop (daytime ride) until I passed them with this set up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9fHlI5CcjY

All of them are better.

How do they compare between themselves? Of course all are better than none.

ALL OK!

I went to the shop and they apologized for the situation. My missing light was out on top of another Niterider 1800 box as a display.

Thank goodness! Can't wait until darkness to give this light a whirl :)

Good deal !!! Glad there was no more hassle than having to go down there.

ALL OK!

I went to the shop and they apologized for the situation. My missing light was out on top of another Niterider 1800 box as a display.

Thank goodness! Can't wait until darkness to give this light a whirl :)

Glad it worked out! Good luck with the light!

My question was buried, so I repeat my questions re daytime lighting:

a) Which is more important, front light or rear light, and why?I think equal importance. I'm not certain why anyone would have to choose just one or the other -
b) Which is better, white front + amber/red rear, or amber front + red rear?I think white front and red rear, but that may just be personal taste.

Is it a very bad idea to use amber for both front and rear in daytime?
(I keep hearing that amber is more visible in daytime)

Good thread joeybike
i recently started doing the same. It works just like drls work for cars

I have knog blinders which are cheap, rrechargeable,
And very bright
very good drls and small so they are a snap to take with u

I use both
front: intersections.cross traffic
rear: cars passing tend to give a bit wider berth and u r more visible
to avoid getting swiped

Is it a very bad idea to use amber for both front and rear in daytime?
(I keep hearing that amber is more visible in daytime)I don't think it's a bad idea. However the modern white LEDs are so bright and white I think they're better. On the rear, I'd go with red.

Do you think front light is more important than rear light in daytime? Why?
I do think the front light is more important. I'm more worried about people pulling out if front of me than being rear ended, and that's probably due to my motorcycling experience. Before I got the Viz360 last year I only ran a blinking white light in the front during the daytime. The taillight of the Viz360 is blinking regardless of whether the front light is blinking or not, and I haven't noticed any change in driver behavior during the daytime since I started using it.

My lights are white in the front, red in the rear with some tiny amber side lights on the Viz360.

My question was buried, so I repeat my questions re daytime lighting:
a) Which is more important, front light or rear light, and why?
b) Which is better, white front + amber/red rear, or amber front + red rear?
P.S. Congratulations agent!

a) depends on the conditions you ride in... I ride in moderate to heavy traffic and am generally more afraid of getting rear-ended by a driver than what's happening in front of me where I have more control over.

b) I definitely WILL NEVER install an amber rear light since amber lights in Europe are used for turn signals only and also being a driver, I know that in a hectic situation, a flashing amber light might confuse me into thinking that "a vehicle" might be turning into/out of my lane.

Note: I ride with a steady powerful dyno powered light front and rear, along with a B/B Flea blinking on the handlebars and a rear 1 watt red blinker placed on the saddle stem; all the above on day/night (the front light has daylight running lights powerful enough to be seen, and switches to maximum power settings during early evening automatically)

My 0.01 cents... Happy Holidays to everyone! :)

My question was buried, so I repeat my questions re daytime lighting:

a) Which is more important, front light or rear light, and why?
b) Which is better, white front + amber/red rear, or amber front + red rear?

P.S. Congratulations agent!
The answer isn't that simple. If I'm riding with traffic and there's a median seperating me from traffic going the other way - I'm far more interested in my rear lights being visible to drivers overtaking me from the rear. However, when crossing intersections, front lighting becomes a priority to be seen by drivers wanting to turn.
Light color is dictated by law, with some options. Brightness counts as well as color for visibility. In many countries in Europe flashing lights are illegal regardless of color. Maybe because they have five times the number of cyclists as north america and its become an issue.

The answer isn't that simple. If I'm riding with traffic and there's a median seperating me from traffic going the other way - I'm far more interested in my rear lights being visible to drivers overtaking me from the rear. However, when crossing intersections, front lighting becomes a priority to be seen by drivers wanting to turn.
Light color is dictated by law, with some options. Brightness counts as well as color for visibility. In many countries in Europe flashing lights are illegal regardless of color. Maybe because they have five times the number of cyclists as north america and its become an issue.

Flashing bicycle headlights are illegal in many U.S. states, too, but I don't expect we'll see significant attention to enforcement as long as motorists are killing 30,000 people a year -- the police have bigger fish to fry.

+1 to the OP.

i'll also add that a bright flashing disco-light on the front helps out on shared paths. there are still plenty of zombies that won't see you, but a lot more people will see you sooner, and react sooner and more appropriately.