I agree. .A flashlight may be temporary use while you find a high quality bike light. Online there are myriad adaptable flashlights for the handlebar. Some are removable slide off to avoid theft while others are screw on. A bracket may attach to the flashlight while other systems not.

Some bike lights have a remote battery while most are integrated. Try to get one with the battery compartment that is sealed against humidity and moisture.

To reiterate, a bike light has a beam spread or pattern for the road, not a powerful spotlight beam that is like a laser beam to drivers and pedestrians.

Flashlights could blind dogs and kids and cause them to walk in front of you causing injury.

Flashlights may vibrate more, because of their length and weight while bike lights are light and compact, normally. There are dedicated flashlight brackets like Fenix that minimize vibration. There are headbands that hold flashlights on your head or helmet. There are headband lights of varying lumens.

Vibration in time may cause damage to the flashlight while none to a bike light. Vibration may cause the light to jump around on the road and disorient you. Of course, if your handlebar bounces a lot, any light will bounce making it difficult to clearly see the road, but a flashlight may bounce more. There are helmets with integrated bike lights front and back. There are attachable helmet lights for front and back and top. Most lights are blinkable.

Get a white and or red color light only, not blue, green, etc.

The bike light market is big and competitive so, why use a flashlight unless mobility or dual purpose is your bag.

If you get a light with button batteries, dont fret. You can get them cheap online, but watch any big shipping costs added after you Commit. This is dishonest in my opinion. You may be able to cancel after you panic.