Originally Posted by
kingston
Must be a very personal thing. Bright enough for me is apparently a lot less than most people. I don't use a headlight for commuting since there is enough light for me to see where I'm going, and I honestly don't understand the need for a "be seen" headlight. I figure it's my job to avoid running into things. For road riding I have ridden thousands of miles in the dark with an Ixon IQ on low and have never really felt the need for anything brighter.
I ride a lot of rural, lightly traveled two lane roads in daylight and I use a front flashing front light to alert drivers in the opposing lane of possible scenarios such as...
- Cars may pass me and encroach partially into their lane (hopefully they slow to allow the passing to complete safely).
- I'm in a turn lane about to make a turn (they are more aware that I am there).
- To give pause to drivers in the opposing lane that may be thinking about passing a slower vehicle via my lane.
- To alert a texting or otherwise distracted driver*
All of this of course is aspirational on my part as I have no control over drivers and what they may choose to do. But it is my way of reducing the risk in a manner within my control.
*I recently ran across a driver who was texting (I think) that looked up as they were drifting half way into my lane. They jerked the car back into their lane I believe in part due to the light.