Headlight/Tail Light – Steady or Flash?
01-22-21, 12:39 PM
#76
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Delta BC
Posts: 6
Bikes: Look 566
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
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.
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.
01-22-21, 04:20 PM
#77
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 490
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 252 Post(s)
Liked 67 Times
in
48 Posts
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.
). 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.
01-22-21, 05:26 PM
#78
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Delta BC
Posts: 6
Bikes: Look 566
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
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.
). 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.
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.
01-22-21, 06:29 PM
#79
Cancer survivor (twice)
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.
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.
01-22-21, 07:44 PM
#81
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,523
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4356 Post(s)
Liked 3,994 Times
in
2,665 Posts
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.
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.
01-23-21, 12:51 PM
#82
Half way there
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 2,957
Bikes: Many, and the list changes frequently
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 986 Post(s)
Liked 880 Times
in
527 Posts
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.
