Varia rear light worth it?

[cougie uk]

Ive several lights that don't have a regular flash then. A smart light that increases flashing if it detects traffic and another one that's meant to beat like a heartbeat.

nobody gets stopped for having lights like this.

I'd much rather be visible than have a crappy weak light that complies with the regulations that nobody looks at.

dunno why I'm in bold.

 

[classic33]

Who here had flashing lights on their bike before 2005?
I know I did, and no-one in a position to stop me from using them did so. The flashing rate is there in the 1989 RVLR, and the wording is exactly the same as it is in the current regulations. How can that be correct, if flashing lights, fitted to pedal cycles, only became legal in 2005.

The same regulations cover motor vehicles and the indicators fitted. There's indicators in use on some vehicles that don't flash, the light pattern moving from the inside to the outside. Not actually flashing.
Where are the rotating amber beacons that utility vehicles are supposed to have fitted? It's now strobe lights, which under currently regulations are illegal. As for blue flashing lights being the preserve of emergency vehicles, you're just as likely to see them fitted to vehicles doing roadworks. One national company has fitted its whole fleet of site vehicles with flashing blue lights. No-one has had a word in the drivers ear and told him/her it's illegal. No-one in a position to do anything about it at least.

If it's the flash rate that annoys you, complain/moan to those who can do something about it. Don't use it as a diversionary tactic to say that the whole idea is wrong. Don't like the idea of extra help, don't use it.

 

[cougie uk]

Who here had flashing lights on their bike before 2005?
I know I did, and no-one in a position to stop me from using them did so. The flashing rate is there in the 1989 RVLR, and the wording is exactly the same as it is in the current regulations. How can that be correct, if flashing lights, fitted to pedal cycles, only became legal in 2005.

The same regulations cover motor vehicles and the indicators fitted. There's indicators in use on some vehicles that don't flash, the light pattern moving from the inside to the outside. Not actually flashing.
Where are the rotating amber beacons that utility vehicles are supposed to have fitted? It's now strobe lights, which under currently regulations are illegal. As for blue flashing lights being the preserve of emergency vehicles, you're just as likely to see them fitted to vehicles doing roadworks. One national company has fitted its whole fleet of site vehicles with flashing blue lights. No-one has had a word in the drivers ear and told him/her it's illegal. No-one in a position to do anything about it at least.

If it's the flash rate that annoys you, complain/moan to those who can do something about it. Don't use it as a diversionary tactic to say that the whole idea is wrong. Don't like the idea of extra help, don't use it.

Isn't it the flashing rate though? Irregular intervals. Not that it matters though cos nobody's getting done for it.

 

[Adam4868]

I allways have a flashing rear light on my bike.Maybe its the law but I can't help thinking it's not the crime of the century.

 

[classic33]

Isn't it the flashing rate though? Irregular intervals. Not that it matters though cos nobody's getting done for it.

Which part?

 

[AlanW]

I allways have a flashing rear light on my bike.Maybe its the law but I can't help thinking it's not the crime of the century.

100% agree, I'm sure Police resources are stretched enough without plod stood by the side of the road counting how many times a rear cycle light flashes.

Plus, and of course I might be wrong, but Im also fairly sure that a cyclist with no lights would attract more attention from plod than someone with a light that was flashing to many times?

 

[Adam4868]

100% agree, I'm sure Police resources are stretched enough without plod stood by the side of the road counting how many times a rear cycle light flashes.

Plus, and of course I might be wrong, but Im also fairly sure that a cyclist with no lights would attract more attention from plod than someone with a light that was flashing to many times?

The police are that stretched I doubt they give either the slightest regard.Plenty of kids doing 40 plus mph with no lights round here.A flashing light would be a blessing !

 

[Alex321]

Who here had flashing lights on their bike before 2005?
I know I did, and no-one in a position to stop me from using them did so. The flashing rate is there in the 1989 RVLR, and the wording is exactly the same as it is in the current regulations. How can that be correct, if flashing lights, fitted to pedal cycles, only became legal in 2005.

Because that part of the 1989 regulations was amended by the 2005 regulations.

This is the original regulations
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/schedule/10/made

And his is the amended regulations
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/schedule/10

The same regulations cover motor vehicles and the indicators fitted. There's indicators in use on some vehicles that don't flash, the light pattern moving from the inside to the outside. Not actually flashing.

Not sure just how "flashing" is defined for that purpose. Without further checking which I don't have time for right now, I'm not quite sure whether those are legal or not.

Where are the rotating amber beacons that utility vehicles are supposed to have fitted? It's now strobe lights, which under currently regulations are illegal. As for blue flashing lights being the preserve of emergency vehicles, you're just as likely to see them fitted to vehicles doing roadworks. One national company has fitted its whole fleet of site vehicles with flashing blue lights. No-one has had a word in the drivers ear and told him/her it's illegal. No-one in a position to do anything about it at least.

That last one I find very surprising indeed.

If it's the flash rate that annoys you, complain/moan to those who can do something about it. Don't use it as a diversionary tactic to say that the whole idea is wrong. Don't like the idea of extra help, don't use it.

It doesn't annoy me at all, I was just pointing out that technically it is illegal. I would hope there is an option to turn off that feature.

 

[Mike_P]

It does have a fixed light option; not quite sure what happens when something approaches.

 

[Joffey]

One of the best things I've bought for my bike is the Varia. The radar is excellent and the light is nice and bright. I don't ride without it.

 

[Tenkaykev]

I had an email from Garmin with various " Birthday Sale " offers. The varia Radar light is reduced to £129.99

 

[Dogtrousers]

I missed this thread bubbling away here. I've ridden with one of these for a few years now. A lot of miles. My view is precisely that of @Sea of vapours

It's about increasing situational awareness. It's not a replacement for listening, looking around or using a mirror; it's an addition to those things. Of those things, it's the one I'd give up first, but that doesn't mean it's not adding information quite a lot of the time, especially in areas with relatively little traffic where you might not naturally be checking behind you every few seconds.

I'd tend more towards saying it's useful rather than safer. It may be safer, I can't say. It's definitely useful. I use a mirror too.

(I feel a bit nostalgic for the days when mentioning mirrors on bikes would bring @Drago out swinging)

Interesting snippet about the variable flash rate regulation from @mjr Interesting to know but I don't intend to worry about it.

 

[classic33]

Question for those that use this or similar rear lights.

Is it your primary rear light or your secondary rear light?

 

[cougie uk]

Question for those that use this or similar rear lights.

Is it your primary rear light or your secondary rear light?

I only have the radar unit and use a light I already had.

 

[mjr]

The police are that stretched I doubt they give either the slightest regard.Plenty of kids doing 40 plus mph with no lights round here.A flashing light would be a blessing !

Yes, there aren't enough traffic police to enforce the regs.

But I still don't use variable flash rate lights because they're annoying and I strongly suspect ineffective.

You are handing another thing to bike bashers that they can moan about whenever spending a pittance on cycling is proposed.

And I bet variable flash would get used as an argument to reduce a compensation payout, with more legitimacy than some arguments used.