The best rear light position

[classic33]

Hi again.
I was wondering where do you think the best position a rear light should be placed on your bike. I personally think on your trusty helmet. As a high mileage driver i often notice rear helmet lights long before seat post / bike frame mounted lights. It think it's because they are more visible being that their higher up and can be seen over a few cars back sitting behind the cyclist. Also and which is more important is that a helmet light appears to move more unpredictably. A cyclists head is constantly turning from side to side looking for hazards as well as swaying from side to side when he/ she is peddling hard..This obviously makes the helmet light move around in an unpredictable manor which catches the attention of the dozy motorist ( "ie me :-).
A helmet light will catch your eye better as it momentarily flashes it's LEDs in its strongest focal point at you grabbing your attention. As there higher up they also don't blend in with other road users lights ,as a seat post light is nearly the same level as most car lights and don't stand out as much..

Higher up can also equate to closer to for some drivers.
On some of the wilder nights, I've used one of these in the mesh pocket of the rucksack. Painted over in a clear red paint.

 

[Accy cyclist]

If it's a weak light have it facing horizontally. If it's quite powerful have it facing slightly down.. Motorists are like moths,drawn to bright lights. Meaning they could land on you rather than give you a wide berth.

 

[KnackeredBike]

As low as possible whilst still being visible will make you seem nearer to the motorist. Well worth doing as if you read studies motorists typically notice cyclists at 150m away or less so appearing nearer is a big advantage.

It's the Father Dougal thing, things near to the horizon seem further away to us easily tricked humans. If you want to see how powerful this is look at the moon next time it's near to the horizon, it seems huge compared to when it is in the sky even though of course it is always near enough the same size.

 

[steveindenmark]

I have 2 on the back of the bike and I stitched a piece of webbing high up on my vis vest to slot a Smart light into. I think it is important to have a light higher up to be seen easier in traffic.

 

[ufkacbln]

Helmet lights also move out of motorists line of vision if you perform a shoulder check or look down (how much depends upon design)

As above, if you wish to be "legal" there are a set of heights and positions you are required you comply with, all of which are on the bike

However as a general rule if it is visible, unobscured by clothing, saddlebags, panniers etc and not blinding following roadusers you will not be stopped

 

[cubey]

Layzene strip light pro, the dogs b.................s, but equally important is your clothing, and a Proviz jacket is about as bright as they get.

 

[Jody]

One on the seatpost and one on your lid. Seatpost to have some none flashing LED's also.

 

[GlenBen]

I read once about a cyclist who fell off, went the other direction to his bike and got hit by the car that was swerving to try and avoid the light that was on the bike.

I do think the seatpost is the best for visibility, but that story does make me wonder.

 

[Jody]

One on the seat stay, one on the saddlebag. Very gently, I cringe when I see anything fastened to a helmet. All that expensive impact absorbing headgear and someone fastens a small hard object to it. About the size of the business end of a hammer. . .

You hit your head on all sorts of shapes anyway so a small flat light attached to the base of a lid is going to make little difference to safety.

 

[Aravis]

I always use a rack-top bag, so the conventional seat post position is unavailable, and I struggled with this for a while. I never wear a helmet, so there's no temptation in that direction.

My solution, which seems to work perfectly, is to use two lengths of plastic overflow pipe, attached either side of the rack with a bungee:

 

[mjr]

View attachment 345595

Get one of the lights that replaces the rear rack reflector.

Second best is a light on the right hand seat stay. Good rear visibility, plus easy to see to check it's still on.

Third best is back of the mudguard.

Seat post is poor. Too close to the centre of the bike, too high for ideal.

Helmet light is worse. Points the wrong way frequently if you're looking around and contrary to most helmet instructions.

 

[Profpointy]

seat post is questionable is it's quite likely to be under your coat, or at least you'll be worrying it's under your coat. I think the back of the pannier rack is best. Helmet - whilst I don't wear one myself, I'd not be too worried about increased risk on a crash providing light was plastic as it'd likely be biffed off or smashed in an impact. Used to wear a front-facing elastic headtorch as well as / instead of a front light

 

[Tin Pot]

Hi again.
I was wondering where do you think the best position a rear light should be placed on your bike. I personally think on your trusty helmet. As a high mileage driver i often notice rear helmet lights long before seat post / bike frame mounted lights. It think it's because they are more visible being that their higher up and can be seen over a few cars back sitting behind the cyclist. Also and which is more important is that a helmet light appears to move more unpredictably. A cyclists head is constantly turning from side to side looking for hazards as well as swaying from side to side when he/ she is peddling hard..This obviously makes the helmet light move around in an unpredictable manor which catches the attention of the dozy motorist ( "ie me :-).
A helmet light will catch your eye better as it momentarily flashes it's LEDs in its strongest focal point at you grabbing your attention. As there higher up they also don't blend in with other road users lights ,as a seat post light is nearly the same level as most car lights and don't stand out as much..

Lights make things less stressful for attentive drivers. But they'd see you anyway.

It matters not what you do with your lights for the drivers that would kill you.

 

[Tin Pot]

seat post is questionable is it's quite likely to be under your coat, or at least you'll be worrying it's under your coat. I think the back of the pannier rack is best. Helmet - whilst I don't wear one myself, I'd not be too worried about increased risk on a crash providing light was plastic as it'd likely be biffed off or smashed in an impact. Used to wear a front-facing elastic headtorch as well as / instead of a front light

...Coat???

 

[Arjimlad]

Favourite commuting helmet is a Lidl lid which came with an onboard LED light on the rear, three settings, steady, flashing or disco mode, plus I have 2 bright rear lights on the back of the seatpost, if one conks out then the other should hold the fort.

I once got to the end of a fast & long unlit country road & found that my (cheapo) rear light had rattled itself to bits & stopped working. Not a happy bunny although the reflectives would have made be perfectly visible to any attentive driver.