Depends. I use Cygolites -- Hotshots and Hotrods.

Midday: Intense, rapid flashing
Early/late day: alternating lower intensity flasing
Night: slow pulse, no strobing
Group rides: steady, dimmest setting

I usually run two or more head and taillights -- at a minimum, a head and tail light on the bike, and on my helmet for night rides. My impression is that at night multiple lights are more effective than sheer brightness or strobing in giving drivers a quick way to estimate our orientation -- distance, direction, speed. Our binocular vision is pretty good at estimating these things with two or more steady light sources.

It's quite simple to me. I'm on a 28 pound bike amongst vehicles ranging from 4,000 to over 40,000 pounds. Many of them are distracted AF. Cyclists need an advantage. The same reason emergency vehicles, that I drove for 15 years in the fire dept, need that same advantage. Nobody's gonna move over for that cop or ambulance without flashing lights and attention grabbing. And with the hatred towards many road cyclists, this flash adds a little more of a safety cushion. Yet I fully agree to point those retina melters downward and to the right. One thing I know for sure, when I approach an intersection with cars turning left in front of me, they see my daytime Cygolite flashing, and for a brief second we connect and it seems to work most of the time.

Great to see many posters referencing research. That should affect what we establish as law.

What most ignore is that this is not a matter of preference it is codified in state or provincial legislation and/or municipal bylaws.

In my jurisdiction it is steady on front and rear pre dawn and post dusk. Flashing lights have a specific meaning for road users in most areas and they do not pertain to our class of vehicles.

Thing is, flashing light on bike rear end can never be mistaken for police or emergency or such like flashing lights (those are also mostly accompanied by some sound warning), I would dismiss all such concerns or even regulations in your part of the world (that is, unless you are warned or start collecting fines ;)). Bikes need to have rear light flashing in all kinds of reduced visibility and depending on your particular setting where you ride your bike, you can have them flashing at all times.

Flashing front at night increases your chances that the oncoming cars will switch to low beams (on roads with little traffic). With steady front light, it may happen much later or not at all.

thanks vane71
I’m not sure emergency responders would agree but notwithstanding your point I can understand why we have such disparate answers to the question. Everyone has determined what makes them feel safe so we have inconsistencies on the road.
That just serves to confuse other road users. If research shows that we should all use twirling strobe lights then let’s petition the lawmakers to make that change. In the meantime let’s check the regs and abide by them. You know rule of law and all that stuff.

You mean like don't use your cellphone while you drive?

I suppose if cell phone use could be proven to save lives then yes but I don't believe there is a parallel.

So we should dazzle them and distract them more?

For emergency vehicles I hear the noise and I look to see who they are and would move if needed. The lights just make it harder for me to see.

As a cyclist or road user I don't want to give someone "target fixation" which we talked about in this thread or another similar one. Solid is just fine for me and anyone else. If you have a good bright front and rear light people will see you and be able to react and if they don't they aren't planning on it anytime soon. If you really need a to flash because the patterns are cool I get it but keep it red and do it at the back (not that you lose the target fixation, aspect but it is safer than a flashing white light) The only time I would ever consider flashing at the front is if I was in a serious emergency but I hope that never happens.

Take your pick. Flashers attract more attention, but inhibit gauging speed and distance. I have dyno-powered lights so they are continuous day and night, but augment with another light(s) depending on conditions.