Lights - Flashing or Not?

[Perry]

I think the law says not flashing but as a driver I prefer cyclists to have flashing lights.

 

[Bug]

Front or rear?

Front - Not flashing
Rear - Both

So I can't choose either of the options.

 

[4F]

I think the law says not flashing but as a driver I prefer cyclists to have flashing lights.

No the law does not say that, check out the ctc website

Flashers


Thanks to the enactment of Statutory Instrument 2005 No. 2559: on 23rd October 2005, it finally became legal to have a flashing light on a pedal cycle. Even better: it became possible for a flashing light to be approved, meaning no other light would be needed in that position. And since BS6102/3 does not yet cater for flashing (but is likely to be amended to do so quite soon), approval is for the time being, granted simply on the basis of brightness. Because DfT very much prefer anything that possibly can be evaluated against a proper technical standard, so to be evaluated: any flashing lamp that is also capable of emitting a steady light is approved only if it conforms with BS6102/3 when switched to steady mode. Since most (probably all) flashing lights do also have a steady mode, and since none of their manufacturers can be bothered to test and mark them to the pernickety standards of one small country on the fringes of Europe, it's unlikely that any flashing light actually qualifies for approval. But since it became theoretically legal to ride a bike with only flashing lights on it, the Police are nowadays no more likely to quibble its legal status than one equipped with steady lights – unless they're rather dim or involved in an accident of course.
If you'd like to read the Department for Transport's explanation, see this page on their website.

 

[Perry]

No the law does not say that, check out the ctc website

Flashers


Thanks to the enactment of Statutory Instrument 2005 No. 2559: on 23rd October 2005, it finally became legal to have a flashing light on a pedal cycle. Even better: it became possible for a flashing light to be approved, meaning no other light would be needed in that position. And since BS6102/3 does not yet cater for flashing (but is likely to be amended to do so quite soon), approval is for the time being, granted simply on the basis of brightness. Because DfT very much prefer anything that possibly can be evaluated against a proper technical standard, so to be evaluated: any flashing lamp that is also capable of emitting a steady light is approved only if it conforms with BS6102/3 when switched to steady mode. Since most (probably all) flashing lights do also have a steady mode, and since none of their manufacturers can be bothered to test and mark them to the pernickety standards of one small country on the fringes of Europe, it's unlikely that any flashing light actually qualifies for approval. But since it became theoretically legal to ride a bike with only flashing lights on it, the Police are nowadays no more likely to quibble its legal status than one equipped with steady lights – unless they're rather dim or involved in an accident of course.
If you'd like to read the Department for Transport's explanation, see this page on their website.

Handy bit of info - Cheers

 

[4F]

Or just do what I do, 2 rear lights 1 flashing 1 constant

 

[HLaB]

Flashing light are legal as pointed out above. In the Winter (hopefully far away) I like to use two rear and two front lights one flashing one steady. In the summer (we actually have one?) I don't have much call for lights but sometimes I carry small lights and I use these on Flashing mode.

 

[Aint Skeered]

Returning home from a race last night, I overtook some of the guys from VC Meudon, who where cycling home, I do not know what flashing front lights they wher using, but sh*t they where bright, I could still see them in the rear view mirror half a mile up the road.
I will find out , and will definatly be buying some.
so in answer to the question ***FLASHING***

 

[John the Monkey]

One flashing one steady - the theory is that the flashing light draws attention, whilst the steady light makes it easier to judge distance and speed.

 

[Plax]

One flashing one steady - the theory is that the flashing light draws attention, whilst the steady light makes it easier to judge distance and speed.

+1

I also keep some lights in the saddlebag on the off chance I might need them too. For example today it is p*ssing it down (Light showers my bum!!!), so I'll stick them on the bike in flashing mode.

 

[Danny]

My experience as a cyclist and car driver is that flashing lights are generally much more difficult to see than steady lights - particularly in heavy urban traffic.

Some high end lights are fine in flashing mode, but the kind of basic lights that most cyclists use are definitely not.

Flashing lights just gives you a false sense of security.

 

[Paulus]

I have two, sometimes three flashing lights on the rear, and two, one flashing and one steady on the front.

 

[marinyork]

I think for fronts a single flashing light is not particularly useful at all. Some seem to have extremely slow cycles too. I'd agree very much with having multiple lights, then whatever your preference you can cover all bases.

rears I think flashing is all right but I think we're talking distances again, it all depend whether you believe most drivers would notice or plan that far ahead or even change their behaviour.

 

[Paulus]

I think for fronts a single flashing light is not particularly useful at all. Some seem to have extremely slow cycles too. I'd agree very much with having multiple lights, then whatever your preference you can cover all bases.

rears I think flashing is all right but I think we're talking distances again, it all depend whether you believe most drivers would notice or plan that far ahead or even change their behaviour.

It all depends also on the condition of the batteries. Most flashing LED lights are quite visible from a hundred yards, but when the batteries wear down they can be quite usless.

 

[numbnuts]

I've got a blue rear flashing light scares the shoot out of motorists

 

[palinurus]

Both in the winter. Constant Dinotte and flashing Smart.

If I'm feeling surly I put the Dinotte on flash and the smart on constant.