+1, the other problem is that it chews through batteries, and the several different rechargeable types I've had don't last very long. I hate putting that much more trash out in the world with unrechargeable batteries, but rechargeable batteries and the charging station, even in the appropriate garbage are a false economy.

[QUTOE]I think I'm going to put some reflective something or other on my spokes. I think I should be able to do it on racing bikes without adding significant weight or making the bike look Fredly. If I just wrap a few spokes with tape, it will be inconspicuous in the day.[/QUOTE]
I've used these for years. Lightweight Safety Ltd They'll do what you want.

I've used these for years. Lightweight Safety Ltd They'll do what you want.[/QUOTE]

+1

Have installed these on all our bikes.

Lightweights for Wheels Power Reflectors at REI.com

Being both a cyclist, driver, and pedestrian, and passing/being passed by bikes in all modes of tranportation - here are my thoughts.

1. A flashing light in the DAYLIGHT is more noticeable then a steady light. A steady light is more noticeable then no light. While a very bright flashing light might be most noticeable, they also are the most distracting and make judging distance harder. Many of these 700+ lumen lights are basically obnoxious in flash mode. To bad more don't have a pulse mode or low power flash setting.
2. At night I think a bright steady head light is almost as noticeable as a flashing one, and MUCH less disorienting/distracting.
3. A combination of a bright steady light headlight and a less powerful blinking light can be very effective to get attention without being obnoxious.
4. A blinking red light is definitely more noticeable in a bright/busy environment, day or night, but if close at night can be distracting and makes judging distance harder. Some of the rapid/uneven flashing patterns are very attention grabbing. A Solid red light, if bright enough, seems fine in a darker area with less lights to compete with at night. A "Pulsing" red light is a good in between option and helps be noticed while still making judging distance easier
5. A combo of a blinking and solid tail light could be another effective combo

Generally I use "steady" in my front except in daylight or dawn/dusk when I likely use one steady one flashing. I typically use flashing in the rear day or night.

I have nice feature on my new cygolite metro. In addition to high, low, and blink, it has a what I would call pulse. In the high setting, it does a noticeable flicker. Not as annoying as a blink, but visible.

Would it matter if flashing lights draw motorists' eyes, and then their heads, and then their hands, and then their autos, in towards you?

It's interesting: for decades we rode with steady 0.6W incandescent bulb tail lights. A few riders argued that those were fine because, well, that's what what the technology limit allowed so by definition they were fine - and besides, they'd never been killed (yet) - but most of us knew six tenths of one watt incandescent bulbs were woefully inadequate for our safety. Quite suddenly in the history of cycling, advances in LED and battery technology allow today's cyclists to easily mount anything from CPSC reflectors to retina-searing, seizure-inducing "don't make a fool of yourself claiming you didn't see THIS" lights.

But what's optimum for safety?

I don't think that question has been answered yet.

Do we really believe that point sources are the best for safety, or are we just willing to trade safety away for tiny, lightweight lamps with inexpensive optics?

Do we really think that narrow cone illumination tail lamps are best, or are we just impressed at the numbers they generate in brightness tests?

Is brighter always better?

Flashing saves battery life and allows a smaller, dimmer light appear to be as 'noticeable' as a larger, steady light. Is there a down side, and if so, is it big enough to be meaningful? Is there an optimum 'flash'?

If rear facing amber turn signals and running lights are legal on motor vehicles, why can't we move to brighter, more visible amber bicycle tail lamps (and reflectors) whose light will travel further through fog, rain and snow? (There's some small evidence that impaired drivers aren't as attracted to amber.)

Found this recently on Flashing vs steady lights. One of the responses references some research, one of which is actualy related to snowplows, but still has some relevance.

headlights - Safety data: Which is safer, head/tail lights which blink or emit a steady beam? - Bicycles Stack Exchange

Ultimately I think I will try to have a steady and a flashing light on my bike, spaced apart a bit if possible, to cover all my bases.

During the day I run top two flashing, at night depends on much traffic and where I am.
On the back two steady and one flashing.

*****

An idea that will give cagers some depth perception and a greater ability to judge the distance is to use two lights, both front and rear, whether flashing or not. With a single light, it would be more difficult to judge the distance, but with duals it gives them a little depth perception. I place my "duals" both front and rear about 12" apart. File this post under the heading FWIW - -

I stick with steady lights. There's enough animosity toward cyclists already.

Bike bullies: Turn off those blinking lights! | Crosscut.com

Why Flashing Bicycle Headlights are a BAD Idea

As long as motorists can run us down and get off scott free by claiming they did not see us, I will make sure they can see me. That doesn't mean a 700 lumen headlight on blinky mode, but I do run a 60-70 lumen head light set on blinking as a 'be seen' light. The 'see where I'm going' lights are a tactical 350 lumen flashlight and a Fenix BT-10, also 350 lumens.

To quote from the 2nd link. "I’m going to make sure you see me even if it does annoy you and create a dangerous situation(ARGUABLE POINT) because I’m the most important thing on the road, so go **** yourself.”

With the exception of the noted arguable point, I'm totally in agreement with this statement!

^^^
This

^^^^
This

I use the flash mode on the headlight during the day only, taillight always, aiming the headlight so it's not directly in people's eyes.

I drive for a living, and am not bothered at all by the flashing lights I see other cyclists using; it would bother me at night however.

Due to living in a temperate Rainforest, the lush vegetation can make seeing cyclists, or dark coloured cars difficult, even a sunny day as one's eyes adjust from bright light to shadow.

Amazing how the replies proved the point of these articles so well.

Why is there so much controversy, ignorance and obstinacy on this issue? Its a good thing that the DOT mandates things for motorists because lots of you would put your families at risk because you don't personally believe in headlights for automobiles because that would make it easier for other drivers to see you and hit you. I don't even remember if I have stated my own POV on this, and I'm not going to bother. All I'm saying is whatever POV you have, it should come from a place of information, peer review and some sort of scientific basis. Your personal peccadillo's, fancy or preference should not enter into it! Criminy, is that really such a hard concept to get ones head around? Educate yourselves, and then when you argue your POV here, you won't sound like a moron! Because some of you do.

H

I thought that was a picture of my new set-up. I run both flashing during the day. Steady at night, stock spot beam on left--wide angle on right side to light up shoulder.

The only POV I care about is what the drivers at the grocery store tell me. Not the first negative, bunches of positives. They don't know anything about bikes except that they can see mine. One guy said "There otta be law makin' folks use them lights. I saw ya before I damn near ran over ya."

It will take a lot to get me to run mine steady.