View Poll Results: Do you use bike lights during daytime?
Never



14
10.29%
Occasionally, such as on foggy/rainy days



46
33.82%
Most of the time, yes



76
55.88%
Voters: 136. You may not vote on this poll
Do you use lights during daytime?
#3
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
Sometimes.. when visibility is low, rain/fog..
I have a neon lime Parka with reflective bands, I wear this time of year..
my body is bigger than my bike..
i have a hub dynamo, so no effort to use it..
I have a neon lime Parka with reflective bands, I wear this time of year..
my body is bigger than my bike..
i have a hub dynamo, so no effort to use it..
#4
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 23
I voted "never", but am considering to use it when foggy/raining. If you use it even with no fog/rain, my question is, why? What difference does it make (unless the color of your clothing is almost the same as the general background in the drivers' sight)?
#5
Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 1
From: Nederland, Texas
Bikes: 2011 Specialized Sectuer, 1988 Bianchi
A blinking light catches the motorist eye.
#10
LET'S ROLL
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,789
Likes: 59
From: NEW YORK, NY - USA
Bikes: 2014 BMC Gran Fondo, 2013 Brompton S6L-X
Lights on always in traffic, day or night. On the bike paths, off
in the daytime. P7 flashlight on my helmet and Hotshot 2w on
the seatpost; both in blinking mode. In this video you can see
the light from my helmet bouncing off of vehicles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0slP...0&feature=plcp
in the daytime. P7 flashlight on my helmet and Hotshot 2w on
the seatpost; both in blinking mode. In this video you can see
the light from my helmet bouncing off of vehicles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0slP...0&feature=plcp
__________________
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
#11
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: In The Middle Of "Out There" / Downtown "Lost Angels"
Bikes: 2001 Trek 520 - Hvy Hauler, Epic Adventure Bike / 2011 Fuji Newest 1.0 - Sporty Quick Bike
Short Answer : Concrete Jungle of City Center and Chlorophyll Canyons of Suburbia
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: In The Middle Of "Out There" / Downtown "Lost Angels"
Bikes: 2001 Trek 520 - Hvy Hauler, Epic Adventure Bike / 2011 Fuji Newest 1.0 - Sporty Quick Bike
Long Answer : While this time of Year in Northern Hemisphere it's easy to imagine scenarios where daytime lights would be an advantage, mist,rain ,haze , fog and overcast etc. ( conditions I choose to call Low Contrast ambient light ).
Living in So. Calif. I Also run daytime lights during Bright Sunny Cloudless ,aka picture perfect conditions,( what I choose to call Extreme Contrast ambient light ).
It is fact that as we age the eye takes longer and longer to respond to changes in perceived light levels as well as being less able to detect changes in ambient light levels. During bright daylight, independent of time of year, many if not most drivers put on sunglasses to manage glare. This can be a problem in the intermittant deep shade of inner urban streets and/or suburbia.
Living in So. Calif. I Also run daytime lights during Bright Sunny Cloudless ,aka picture perfect conditions,( what I choose to call Extreme Contrast ambient light ).
It is fact that as we age the eye takes longer and longer to respond to changes in perceived light levels as well as being less able to detect changes in ambient light levels. During bright daylight, independent of time of year, many if not most drivers put on sunglasses to manage glare. This can be a problem in the intermittant deep shade of inner urban streets and/or suburbia.
#16
Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 1
From: Nederland, Texas
Bikes: 2011 Specialized Sectuer, 1988 Bianchi
Tailight clipped to trunk bag and headlight mounted to handlebar in flashing mode. I also wear a headlight strapped on my helmet with a second flashing tailight clipped on the strap on the back of my helmet. The headlight on the helmet is on constant mode.
#17
Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 1
From: Nederland, Texas
Bikes: 2011 Specialized Sectuer, 1988 Bianchi
#18
Señior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
Likes: 10
From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
I have been told many times that the blinking light made a person see me far before they would have with just the bright yellow/green reflective vest I wear.
I also encountered a woman who was so color blind that she thought that my bright reflective vest was the same color as the local foliage.
I also encountered a woman who was so color blind that she thought that my bright reflective vest was the same color as the local foliage.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#19
Plays in traffic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,971
Likes: 15
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
#20
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 41
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
nothing is allowed on the street with a flashing light except emergency vehicles. it is required to a have a solid white front and solid red rear on a bicycle.
also a dynamo and 6w front light is required by law on all bikes over 11kg.
just FYI, enforcement is probably zero, although a flashing light may get you a ticket from the police.
also a dynamo and 6w front light is required by law on all bikes over 11kg.
just FYI, enforcement is probably zero, although a flashing light may get you a ticket from the police.
#21
Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 1
From: Nederland, Texas
Bikes: 2011 Specialized Sectuer, 1988 Bianchi
nothing is allowed on the street with a flashing light except emergency vehicles. it is required to a have a solid white front and solid red rear on a bicycle.
also a dynamo and 6w front light is required by law on all bikes over 11kg.
just FYI, enforcement is probably zero, although a flashing light may get you a ticket from the police.
also a dynamo and 6w front light is required by law on all bikes over 11kg.
just FYI, enforcement is probably zero, although a flashing light may get you a ticket from the police.
#22
Europe is so far ahead of us in the states when it comes to cars and bicycles. Why the "F" would you even want an Escalade or Hummer??? If you're that wealthy, buy nicer bikes 
I always use a rear blinky as mine can be seen in the daytime. Depends on where I'm going on the front (90% of the time it's both).

I always use a rear blinky as mine can be seen in the daytime. Depends on where I'm going on the front (90% of the time it's both).
#24
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 0
From: Los Alamos, NM
Bikes: Fuji Cross Comp, BMC SR02, Surly Krampas
Europe is so far ahead of us in the states when it comes to cars and bicycles. Why the "F" would you even want an Escalade or Hummer??? If you're that wealthy, buy nicer bikes 
I always use a rear blinky as mine can be seen in the daytime. Depends on where I'm going on the front (90% of the time it's both).

I always use a rear blinky as mine can be seen in the daytime. Depends on where I'm going on the front (90% of the time it's both).
Personally, I too would rather have a nice bike.
And, I use a blinky at all times, unless group riding since I don't want my turboflash going off in someone's face.



