DX Rider

ebike.com lists a 2 watt on their site, but I couldn't find it.

https://www.ebikestop.com/planet_bike...ght-LT3044.php

Mr IGH

If you are a "safety nanny" you'd ride with your front light flashing. The difference in driver response is amazing. Now I ride day and night with my front light flashing. Who cares about an out-dated law when it compromises safety. When I think about your reasoning, I'd call it "legal nanny"

dfarinwi

Check out Bob Mionske's book Bicycling and the Law. The concept of negligence is a legal term that assigns responsibility for damages. You break a law in some states, and the other guy's responsibility for your medical care goes away even if they also broke a law (ie. failure to stop at a red light), and your insurance or your family pays the price of your medical bills, loss of work, etc. In other states, the responsibility is shared. Just depends upon your state's tort laws.

You are right in that the police probably won't make note of the blinky until after a collision. If they know the law, they are likely to document it and it becomes part of the record that determines who pays for what. I think my concept of negligence was completely different until I read Bob's book, and my new understanding affects how I conduct myself as a cyclist and how I teach high school students about their own safety within my cycling class. Even my freestyle biking students have to follow the laws while on the road in my classes because I could be held responsible for their behavior while they are riding with me if I regularly allowed them to break the law.

I know many of them will completely ignore the laws and safety practices I drill into them as soon as they are outside of class. But at least they are aware of situations. Just like them, everybody knows it is your choice whether you use a front blinky or not. And you are right, they are far better than nothing. They may even be more effective than similarly priced lights that don't blink. It's too bad that comparisons of lower priced lights aren't available similar to those that have been done for off road trail riding.

BianchiDave

Shimano Dynamo front hub 3 watt, 12 volt bulb and it rocks! Always there never have to worry about batteries.

Mr IGH

LOL, I'm running a flashing 9W LED headlight with a 6W helmet light, not exactly "lower priced". I am interested in avioding an accident, not winning the lawsuit after being hit. If I don't get hit, then I don't worry about the legal angle. I've ridden both ways, with my light set on constant and with the headlight flashing. The difference in response to a flashing front light is amazing. Once you do it, you can't go back, it's too dangerous. I've heard flashing front lights are becoming popular on motorcycles and some states have amended their laws to accomdate them.

thenomad

I won't have a LOT of dawn riding to do but I know I need a light and will always use blinkies for commuting. I'm thinking of looking at a helmet mounted light for future use.

For now I just got a Blackburn Flea combo on Amazon. $25 for the front and rear combo.

I also have a cheap Planet Bike set to use till the Fleas come.

CCrew

If you think the Fleas throw any amount of light you're badly mistaken. They're better than nothing, but certainly not very effective.

thenomad

I'm hoping that with both attached it'll get me where I'm going till the time change gives me more light. Guess we'll see. I bought the set for the same price as just the rear Flea so I'll consider the front a freebie.

drew55

Try this one - https://ecom1.planetbike.com/3045.html

PaulRivers

Lol - d2create's post date? 09-11-09. Yours? 06-27-10. 9 months have passed - he probably figured it or gave up by now!