Cycling in and around Birmingham England

Blinking Headlamps

Recently I've noticed people cycling at night with a white LED head/handlebar lamp set to strobe mode.

Does anyone else find this disconcerting and problematic?

I don't have difficulty with the red lamps flashing, but the white ones really interfere with my ability to see. This is whether I'm a predestrian or a cyclist. I would guess it affects drivers too. When I've cycled behind someone with a strobe, it affects by ability to see what's ahead, as the view goes light dark light dark light... . As a pedestrian, the flashing light is about as distracting as an emergency vehcile, and whilst less of a problem, still means I'm inevitably distracted by the thing. I think cycling does not count as an emergency.

Tags: lamps, night, riding, safety

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kim on October 14, 2011 at 13:40

They are (or at least can be) legal, but I agree they're irritating. Most of my front lights are German (and in compliance with their lighting regulations only have static output), but I do have one that can flash. I've only ever used it in that mode in daylight, to increase visibility in fog or very heavy rain. I wouldn't want to use a flashing front light in the dark (even in a street-lit area) as the strobe effect isn't conducive to spotting potholes. If it's weak enough not to be a problem, you need a better light anyway, IMHO.

I've done night rides on country lanes where people have had flashing front lights as their only source of illumination. How that seems like a good idea escapes me...

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Permalink Reply by Darren O'D on October 14, 2011 at 13:44

Surely "the flashing light is about as distracting as an emergency vehcile" is the point?

I have moved over to the Dark/Light/Dark side recently, both front and back, it does certainly get you noticed at dawn/dusk.

In the dark, however, you have to go full beam, always on, in my experience?

I think we must try whatever we can to stand out on the roads, especially at this time of year, and I hope my use of the flashing lights help prevent my "cycling not to count as an emergency"

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Permalink Reply by David on October 14, 2011 at 13:56

I reckon use of a strobe in the dark is liable to disorient a driver enough to crash into said cyclist. Particularly if the driver is sensitive to that sort of flashing light. Put another way, I've never seen an emergency vehicle with a flashing white strobe.

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Permalink Reply by david.cherry on October 14, 2011 at 13:59

However flashing blue strobes are just, if not more efective in causing a seizure (or prolonging one. Which is fun if you are in an ambulance having a seizure)

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Permalink Reply by David on October 14, 2011 at 15:27

Nope, not a joke, and not a technically-minded definition of strobe. More about conveying the sense of disorientation they create for me as both a pedestrian and a cyclist. So if you are cycling at me with your strobe on and I'm disoriented enough to steer into you, I presume you will be polite enough to consider your own role in the crash after picking youself up.

That's something I considered mentioning earlier. There are any number of people - on foot, cycle or vehicle - who apparently move without due forethough for their actions. Just as someone stepping from behind a bus into a lane of traffic could startle a car driver, this is also about cyclists who ride without consideration for people in their path. A bit more consideration all round wouldn't hurt.

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Permalink Reply by Andy White on October 14, 2011 at 16:31

David said:

Nope, not a joke, ............ So if you are cycling at me with your strobe on and I'm disoriented enough to steer into you,

Just how many emergency vehicles have you crashed into?

Are you really safe to be in control of 1 tonne of moving metal?

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Permalink Reply by LS on October 14, 2011 at 17:25

I don't think David drives hence "after picking yourself up" referring to a two bike collision. If I see an emergency vehicle whilst cycling (or driving) I tend to pull over or be very very careful in case they use the wrong side of the road.

My lights have flashing mode which I use to extend battery life. I will probably use still mode more often and try and ensure they aren't pointing in the eyes of oncoming cyclists or drivers.

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Permalink Reply by Graeme Howell on October 14, 2011 at 17:46

I only use the flashing mode on the front in well lit areas, as I think it helps with getting noticed. Along with shouting when appropriate.

Anywhere else I need to see where I am going!

Graeme

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Permalink Reply by Allen james on October 14, 2011 at 17:54

I set mine to strobe as I dont use it to see where I'm going , its purely there so people see me.

Annoying maybe, but at least people notice me.

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Permalink Reply by David on October 14, 2011 at 18:03

I may be heavy, but weigh in at under a tonne. I think.

Andy White said:

Are you really safe to be in control of 1 tonne of moving metal?

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Permalink Reply by Andy on October 14, 2011 at 19:19

I use one of these (link below). There are three (I think settings). Static is ok but the flashing one is kinda cool so I tend to use that most often - I'll just have to be careful not to stand still while wearing it at this time of year otherwise I could be mistaken for being a christmas tree ;-)

Andy.

Cool Jacket

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Permalink Reply by BrownhillsBob on October 14, 2011 at 20:15

I don't get the flashing white at night - rear, sure, but I always use that in conjunction with a steady red. As a driver too, I've noticed that it's very hard to estimate the distance from a flashing light alone.

Flashing white at the fromt in the dark is just antisocial, TBH, although I might do in the day when overcast, but on rare occasions. Worst bit is when you're in front of someone using one and all the number plates and reflective signage around you strobes...

Best wishes

Bob