Originally Posted by
Ediblestarfish
Blinking lights are illegal in Germany. However you are expected to have properly mounted reflectors and lights within the minimum and maximum brightness levels, properly aimed.
Think about an intersection with a modest group of cyclists (say 20) all with blinking taillights and crazy rim lights headed in different directions, at different speeds. It'll look like some crazy disco, with all those lights fighting for your attention.
Is that actually a common scenario? I've never been at an intersection (in the US or Europe) and seen 20 cyclists hit an intersection at the same time.
Nonetheless, I agree that it could reach the point of ridiculousness (some lone cyclists manage that by themselves with their crazy lights). I think setting limits on flashing brightness and (especially) frequency would do a lot to mitigate that situation. Banning flashing lights outright seems an unnecessary extreme. It seems to me that the "disco intersection" is primarily an annoyance, while the lone cyclist that's hard to see is an actual danger.
Originally Posted by
Ediblestarfish
If you're just a lone cyclist on the road, then I can understand. But in larger groups, it's confusing. Never mind being a cyclist behind another with blinking lights on a tour, where you have to stare at that non-stop blinking for hours. It'll drive you nuts.
True enough. In that situation, I can't see any reason to leave the light in blink mode. An close, organized group of cyclists will be visible without the flashing. Maybe it would make sense for whoever's pulling up the rear to use a flasher.