Originally Posted by
pityr
Why are people talking about controlling the behavior of the drivers and what they must or should do? You can't control them. Take that to A&S.
Flashing tail lights are fine. Most people don't aim them at the drivers eyes. We tend to put them on the rear racks and forks. Sometimes we put them on our helmets to get them up nice and high but for the most part the red blinkies aren't offending or blinding anyone.
The headlights on the other hand are mounted on the handle bars which on most bikes puts them eye level. Aimed straight out they will be directly in the eyes of most drivers. I'm not concerned about the standard blinkie or the be seen flashers either. I'm talking about the emitters and torches here. Those are the ones that can make some people disoriented when in flasher mode at night. Its not even just drivers.
My point is to consider the power of the light and where you aim it and then put yourself on the other side of it. Maybe think of how grandma's eyes might react to a bright 1000 lumen strobe aimed right at her eyes while she is operating her 2 ton brick as it hurtles towards you. Ya might want to aim it down a little or not strobe that sucker.
Very good points!! 
What I think is needed, is to INFORM our brethen on how to properly aim front lights on a bicycle. Example, just like the hazard warning on cigerettes, have a warning on all bicycles lights packages to "aim them in a way as not to distract or temp blind on coming drivers"!
I think a lot of the OFFENDING BICYCLISTS are not doing it on purpose. They are doing it through lack of KNOWLEDGE. The more this is put out there, the more riders get educated in their lighting system.
I for one, learned A LOT. Just been into bicycles maybe about 2 years.. Now, I am starting to commute. Moving up the ladder, my commute NOW is starting in the dark, and ending in the dark. Didn't have to be rocket scentist to know that I needed some lights!! I am on the bottom end, but I am getting a lot of know-how from these threads, a lot. This morning, I am off, but the urge to ride was too strong. I had to do the first leg of my commute even though I am off. I opted for my 85 Raleigh Prestige. She is decked out in with a PAIR OF $2.00 each lights up front, and a $2.00 blinky in the rear. I have a PB Beamer on my helmet, and on each one of my legs, I have a $2.00 blinky, along with a safety vest. My two prize el-cheapo front lights are hitting the ground about 25 to 30 feet in front of me. BTW, these $2 gizmos do have a high beam too..
I am running the high beams..
If fact, here is a picture of the rig I rode this morning. And my two headlights have feelings, so no wise cracks!!
