Helmets and lights

[Primal Scream]

Is there any legal reason or for that matter any other reason that I should not fit a small light on the back of my cycle helmet?

 

[Pauluk]

No. As long as its red (always assuming you intend it to be pointing backwards) and doesn't affect the safety of the helmet.

 

[Primal Scream]

Thanks for the reply, yes backwards it is, dont fancy a flashing light at the front above my eyes.

Just want two rear lights and can only fit one on the seat post because of a small bag under the saddle.

 

[Davidc]

Seat stays are another good fixing point.

 

[Primal Scream]

Is it ok to clamp on carbon ?

 

[ufkacbln]

Quickly....

You (legally) are required to have BS6102/3 lights or lights that meet the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations fitted to the bike.
What you fit in addition is another matter and entirely up to you.

 

[ufkacbln]

Alternatively the Minoura SpaceGrip will fit a seatpost and give additional mounting space

 

[Primal Scream]

Cunobelin, excellent suggestion, thanks.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I have a knog frog lamp on the back of my helmet, they are made of rubber, easy to attach and reasonably resistent to water.
I use exposure flares on my bike as they are small and powerfull, you can also get a mount which uses the seat rails so you do not have to mount it to your seatpost.

 

[musa]

fibreflares are a good option too

 

[mickle]

Low down is better - in my opinion - than high up.

Drivers eyes generally scan between the horizon and a point on the ground a few metres ahead of their bumper. Within the cone of light ptojected by their headlamps in fact. Also ... Something (lights, reflectors) low down registers in the brain as closer than something high up.

For a wicked - eye catching light show try attaching a mini LED lamp to your rear hub.

 

[Red Light]

You might think about why you are putting a helmet on your head and then whether strapping something hard and sticking out onto the outside is a good idea if you have an accident.

 

[sidevalve]

You might think about why you are putting a helmet on your head and then whether strapping something hard and sticking out onto the outside is a good idea if you have an accident.

A good point, however unlike m/cycle helmets which are designed to slide along the ground and not to apply twisting forces [the speeds involved being much greater] a cycle helmet is more of a "bonk" absorber and a small LED shouldn't really cause much of a problem, although I do agree the smaller rubber types may be the best to use.

 

[addictfreak]

During the dark nights I usually fit front and rear lights to my helmet, just the small LED type but they seem very effective.