Flashing lights, false distance.

[Markymark]

As a driver, I sometimes struggle to tell the distance of a bike when the lighs are flashing, probably similar to the doplar effect. Is this just me or is this a recognised issue?

 

[zacklaws]

As a driver, I sometimes struggle to tell the distance of a bike when the lighs are flashing, probably similar to the doplar effect. Is this just me or is this a recognised issue?

No, its not you, its a common problem, I nearly had a head on last year on a cycle path in total darkness when I could not judge the speed or distance to a very bright flashing light approaching till we were only yards apart. Luckily I had slowed down in anticipation and at the last moment I saw the other cyclist light up in my front light, looking down at the ground, when he suddenly looked up, screamed "S**t" and swerved away from me.

I've seen him since and he now rides with his front light on permanent.

 

[gaz]

This is why you will see many of us suggest that you use two lights, 1 flashing and 1 steady, then you get the best of both worlds.

 

[Markymark]

2 lights makes sense. Am new to cycling and will be buying lights soon.

 

[GrasB]

This is why you will see many of us suggest that you use two lights, 1 flashing and 1 steady, then you get the best of both worlds.

I'll add to this if one light is brighter than the other & they're close together then make sure that is the flashing light (a brighter solid light will almost completely mask the flashing dimmer light)

 

[Zoiders]

It's like seeing a film with a reduced frame rate.

It can apply to front flashers as well, I had a guy sucking my wheel down an unlit lane and the cateye blinky on slow flash was creating a reduced frame rate version of the road, flash - night vison goes and it's all black - flash - next thing you know you have hit a pot hole.

 

[the snail]

This is why you will see many of us suggest that you use two lights, 1 flashing and 1 steady, then you get the best of both worlds.

+ a rear light could fail/fall off and you might not notice

 

[ufkacbln]

2 lights makes sense. Am new to cycling and will be buying lights soon.

I cheat here!

My basic flashing light is a BS6102/3 light front and rear, thus meeting the kegal requirement, I then run a 720 lumens front light and twin Dinote rear lights as a backup!

 

[palinurus]

I use flashing mode in daylight/ overcast conditions. Proper dark I have all lights on steady, two rears (one battery, one off the hub), two fronts (similarly).

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I think we have covered this before. I have two light sets on my fixed, run one flashing and one solid back and front, if I'm on an unlit road I'll switch the flashing front to solid, if I'm in a group the flashing rear will be switched to solid.