Originally Posted by
PaulRivers
While I agree about daytime, it's still far more visibility than nothing at night. A steady light also makes it easy to track where you are on the bike from behind you.
The tracking issue is mostly irrelevant. Since a rear light is primarly seen from behind, there isn't much lateral movement going on.
The first thing you want in a light is to be seen from as long a distance as possible.
Flashing increases the noticeability. That is, a flashing light is seem much sooner than a solid light.
If they are close enough where tracking is an issue, the car's headlights are likely what is being used for that.
Originally Posted by
Dunbar
I also think reflective gear is at least as important as lighting in the dark.
Reflective stuff is useful but that's usually recognized later/closer than a flashing light is.