Originally Posted by
Mike Mills
Let me raise an issue or question.
It seems to me, the lights presented above are meant to help you see, not to be seen. They are designs tailored for off road riding at night. They are really high powered lights intended to illuminate the surface so you can see it. That differs from a light which is intended to make it so people can see you.
The difference between the two can be not-so-subtle.
Is it possible that the ultra-bright flashing tail lights will go too far beyons merely being seen by drivers to the point of irritating them as they sit behind the wheel of their 4,000 lb mobile bludgeoning device? Do urban riders need all that power, or is there a better compromise for the urban commuter?
Excellent point.
This is why I run my "illumination" light (the one that helps me see things) steady, and I run a separate blinking "be seen" light that is bright enough that there is no doubt that I should be seen (PB Blaze 2W) without pissing anyone off (hopefully).
I used to run my main headlight in blinking mode during daylight, and I'd even go so far as to aim it a little higher than normal. I discontinued this practice after experiencing a cyclist doing this very thing. Whew. too much.
I'm now on dynamo power with steady lights augmented by blinkies front and back.