Helmet FlashLights

[TonyEnjoyD]

@GrasB, From memory, I believe that the law was changed to allow flashing lights on cycles, however, I think this stated that the flashing light must be mounted on the bike NOT on the person or helmet, and that it must be set to fixed beam in unlit areas.
I also believe that cycle mounted lights MUST be angled so as not to blind motorists or pedestrians.

I could be wrong, however, I am sure one of our esteemed CCers will back or deny this.

 

[GrasB]

Solo flashing lights on bikes are a good way to confuse people as well, but they at least can't be confused with various bits of road furniture or vehicles hidden behind trees etc.

Also some of us find it very difficult to judge distance, direction & speed (DDS) from a flashing light. This means we have to spend a long time observing one person so we become less aware of everything else. I have no problems with flashing lights as long as the rider has a 'reference' light front & rear to allow for reasonably quick judgments of DDS.

 

[ianrauk]

Solo flashing lights on bikes are a good way to confuse people as well, but they at least can't be confused with various bits of road furniture or vehicles hidden behind trees etc.

Also some of us find it very difficult to judge distance, direction & speed (DDS) from a flashing light. This means we have to spend a long time observing one person so we become less aware of everything else. I have no problems with flashing lights as long as the rider has a 'reference' light front & rear to allow for reasonably quick judgments of DDS.

Indeed.
2 lights front and back.
1 Flashing, 1 Static.

 

[on the road]

 

[shouldbeinbed]

My point about the helmet lights are made as a cyclist and experiencing a blinding light approaching at head height in the pitch black of a cycle path is unnatural and pretty stupid and inconsiderate,there is no justification for them unless you are going pot holing or camping at night and need hands free to erect tents or prepare food
Cyclists have handlebars for lights

and cars have bodywork that obscures the effect of these lights & quite frankly my visibility in traffic is way more important to me than your opinion.

 

[ufkacbln]

Is that a Budweiser Light Lite?

 

[the_mikey]

It's that time of year, but the choices are: I ride with a helmet light that isn't really all that bright (in addition to the lights on the bars and saddle) or I ride in a ford focus with fantastic head lamps that allow me to see quite well, and it's warm and comfortable, although it sometimes upsets cyclists, I can't hear them whinge about lights when the windows are closed.

 

[rovers1875]

I regularly ride on minor unlit roads in the dark, I when I go out I (me & the bike) look like an escaped display from Blackpool illuminations. But one thing is certain, when cars do come past they certainly give me a wide berth (probably thinking "what the F"#k is that" ) . And when I go on the canal towpath a head light is a must.

 

[jessculter]

On my commute I regularly cycle home after dark. Half my journey in the city and half on unlit cycle paths and roads.
I had a fellow cyclist give me a ticking off because I blinded him as I was going up a hill and he was coming down.

Now granted, I'm using an expensive light on my handlebars, but I had it on mid setting with the beam pointing down ahead 15-20ft. I like to look ahead on a dark road for potholes, glass etc.

I felt like telling the guy to get a decent light himself if he couldn't see and not use a strobe light on an unlit road.

I guess the point here is it doesn't matter a jot if it's on my helmet or handlebars.

 

[sheffgirl]

This thread reminded me I need some new lights for when winter comes. Can anyone recommend some inexpensive ones? I mostly ride on well-lit roads but a bright front light would be useful. At the moment I just have some cheap Argos ones that were about £6 but they do the trick to be seen and seem to be waterproof unlike the first ones I bought from Halfords

 

[ianrauk]

This thread reminded me I need some new lights for when winter comes. Can anyone recommend some inexpensive ones? I mostly ride on well-lit roads but a bright front light would be useful. At the moment I just have some cheap Argos ones that were about £6 but they do the trick to be seen and seem to be waterproof unlike the first ones I bought from Halfords

So why you need/want new ones?

 

[sheffgirl]

So why you need/want new ones?

Not sure really, I feel like I should have more lights than ones I legally have to have

 

[ianrauk]

Not sure really, I feel like I should have more lights than ones I legally have to have

If you ride on well lit roads as you say... then you don't need a multitude of lights.

 

[Cuchilo]

I use these http://www.giant-stores.co.uk/gear.php?main=1&cat=7&product=14
They will pretty much wrap around anything so no need for a light mount and only a fiver .

 

[Tyke]

Not sure really, I feel like I should have more lights than ones I legally have to have

It`s always good to have two lights on each end so you are still lit up if one fails.