Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

Amber light for headlight

Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Amber light for headlight

Old 12-13-12 | 09:22 AM
  #1  
vol
Thread Starter
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 23
Amber light for headlight

If I use amber light as headlight during daytime, rainy/foggy days, is there the risk of being mistaken as a taillight by drivers and thus causing potential accident?
vol is offline  
Reply
Old 12-13-12 | 09:29 AM
  #2  
Mr. Hairy Legs's Avatar
Super-spreader
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 887
Likes: 101
From: where black is the color, where none is the number

Bikes: shiny red tricycle

Probably not if you also have a normal headlight.
Mr. Hairy Legs is offline  
Reply
Old 12-13-12 | 09:39 AM
  #3  
vol
Thread Starter
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 23
Originally Posted by Mr. Hairy Legs
Probably not if you also have a normal headlight.
Then of course not problem, but I meant if I use only amber light for daytime (I use normal white light at night).
vol is offline  
Reply
Old 12-13-12 | 09:40 AM
  #4  
squegeeboo's Avatar
******
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 949
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, NY

Bikes: Specalized Tri-Cross

In some states it might be illegal, I think in NY you're only allowed to have forward facing red/orange if you're an emergency vehicle.
__________________
In the words of Einstein
"And now I think I'll take a bath"
squegeeboo is offline  
Reply
Old 12-13-12 | 09:47 AM
  #5  
droy45's Avatar
tougher than a boiled owl
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 1
From: Rocky Coast of Maine

Bikes: Fetish Cycles Fixation / Fuji S12S / Gary Fisher MTB / Raleigh Grand Prix / Ross Professional / Kent comfort cruiser

For daytime fog use, I think that would be a great idea. I use my headlight in blink mode for those conditions. Either way will make you more visible than just a white light in fog.
droy45 is offline  
Reply
Old 12-13-12 | 09:57 AM
  #6  
jyl's Avatar
jyl
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,643
Likes: 68
From: Portland OR

Bikes: 61 Bianchi Specialissima 71 Peugeot G50 7? P'geot PX10 74 Raleigh GranSport 75 P'geot UO8 78? Raleigh Team Pro 82 P'geot PSV 86 P'geot PX 91 Bridgestone MB0 92 B'stone XO1 97 Rans VRex 92 Cannondale R1000 94 B'stone MB5 97 Vitus 997

Amber headlights have never been common in the US. Therefore, drivers will not immediately recognize them as a "headlight." They may have to think about it for a second. Unfortunately they may be mulling it over while moving toward you at 70 feet per second.

Also, colored lenses absorb some light, so amber headlights are less bright than white headlights. And they "look" less bright too.

The most important function of a bike headlight on the road is to get drivers' attention and communicate "I'm a vehicle". To get their attention, the light should be bright and ideally flashing. To communicate, the light should look like a headlight, not some puzzling yellow thing.

Last edited by jyl; 12-13-12 at 12:42 PM.
jyl is offline  
Reply
Old 12-13-12 | 10:09 AM
  #7  
Banned
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast

Bikes: 8

The yellow lens is a filter, so it reduces the amount of light, ..same with colored reflective tape.
fietsbob is offline  
Reply
Old 12-13-12 | 10:31 AM
  #8  
vol
Thread Starter
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 23
Thanks. Seems most of you think it's not a good idea. What about using it as taillight in daytime (instead of red taillight)? Some people say amber is more noticeable than red (some say even more noticeable than white).
vol is offline  
Reply
Old 12-13-12 | 10:52 AM
  #9  
Burton's Avatar
Certified Bike Brat
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,251
Likes: 6
From: Montreal, Quebec
I think most people are expecting red on the rear of a vehicle and white or yellow on the front because thats the legal convention AFAIK. I'm running ambers in front myself but also have white that can be kicked in if circumstances require. Amber (or any other color) LEDs are currently less powerful than the most powerful white LEDs but 300 lumens x 2 can still make you very conspicuous.

Contrary to some opinions stated here - hazard lights are standard on automobiles and easily recognized. The actual choice of equipment counts. Guarantee that my amber lights are brighter than the dinky white things some people are using. Visibility counts FIRST. But check your area - in some places a bike is required to have a white front light after dark.

Last edited by Burton; 12-13-12 at 11:05 AM.
Burton is offline  
Reply
Old 12-13-12 | 10:52 AM
  #10  
squegeeboo's Avatar
******
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 949
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, NY

Bikes: Specalized Tri-Cross

Did someone give you an amber light you're trying to find a use for? No reason to not have multiple tail lights, just attach it to your backpack/panniers/jersey pocket/seatpost and go nuts.
__________________
In the words of Einstein
"And now I think I'll take a bath"
squegeeboo is offline  
Reply
Old 12-13-12 | 11:40 AM
  #11  
no1mad's Avatar
Thunder Whisperer
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,841
Likes: 7
From: NE OK

Bikes: '06 Kona Smoke

Food for thought: If amber is considered such a poor choice (for the exact scenarios the OP describes), then why would a reputable company like Dinotte offer one?

IMO, amber is a legit choice for the scenario described by the OP. Why? Because the hazard lights of slow moving vehicles are amber (or they used to be, I haven't kept up with automotive lighting tech for a while now).
no1mad is offline  
Reply
Old 12-13-12 | 11:59 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,239
Likes: 8
From: Bay Area, Calif.
I don't see a problem with confusing anyone. Flashing amber lights are commonly used in a variety of ways to warn of things that should be avoided - construction sites, dangerous curves, bad potholes/bumps, slow-moving vehicles, etc. So I see no reason why a driver would think of steering toward rather than away from such a light even if he doesn't immediately recognize it as a bicycle. Seems like an excellent choice for daytime use on a bicycle since it is likely to stand out from other lights and reflections much better than a white light.
prathmann is offline  
Reply
Old 12-13-12 | 12:00 PM
  #13  
RaleighSport's Avatar
Hogosha Sekai
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,674
Likes: 26
From: STS

Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition

Anecdotal input.. I saw a guy with an amber headlight yesterday while riding, he was coming from the opposite direction it was daylight and it was off putting but I was never confused as to his direction of travel.
RaleighSport is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Metaluna
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
22
10-22-17 09:26 AM
zandoval
Advocacy & Safety
7
02-01-15 12:54 PM
BobbyG
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
2
12-09-14 10:10 AM
vol
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
9
11-18-12 08:42 PM
rdtompki
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
1
10-24-10 04:19 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.