This, among other scenarios:
"...I was stopped at a light on a road heading west about 30 min before sunset. A driver pulled up beside me and told me he was able to see my flashing taillight despite the sun straight ahead."
Often the only opportunity I get to ride, either for errands or pleasure, is early morning or late afternoon. My rides usually head straight eastward in the morning or westward in late afternoon. The flashing white front and red tail lights on the bike gives drivers a little more help in noticing me amid the usual traffic and glare from the sun.
I also wear flashers on my hat band or helmet. Turning my head alters the intensity, which drivers seem to notice. Several times I've seen drivers preparing to enter the road from parking lots, looking both ways for a clearing, then noticing my flashing lights and pausing.
Thirty-something years ago when I cycle commuted daily there were few options for effective lights. The lightweight lights that were available weren't noticeable in daylight. I lost track of the number of times vehicles pulled out in front of me from parking lots, crossed my path at intersections even when I had right of way, or right hooked me. Wearing bright colored cycling clothing didn't seem to help at all, and I don't bother any more with dedicated cycling clothing or dayglo vests. My bike is already dayglo red/orange. Maybe that helps a little.
Since resuming cycling a few weeks ago and using bright LED flashers, I've had only one minor encounter, an impatient driver who honked at me from behind. But I can see drivers suddenly notice me and get an eyelock at complex starfish intersections, parking lots and intersections.
I'm using a combination of flashers on the bike and on my headgear:
- A Vivo-Bike Illuminati on the handlebar, on flasher in early morning/late afternoon; and on steady at night.
- Whatever red light came with the Illuminati, on the rear rack or trunk bag - usually in fast flash mode.
- An older Energizer red flashing LED on the back of my hat band or helmet.
- A Blackburn 2'Fer in white flashing mode on the front of my hat band or helmet.
These can all be attached/detached easily via clips or elastic bands. But I'm convinced enough of the effectiveness of flashers to consider adding some bolt-on lights to the bike, although this might make it tougher to recharge USB rechargeables unless I use a detachable battery pack.