For those of us who are also cyclists....
Discussion
Law has just been changed allowing use of flashing front and rear lights. Came into force Oct 21 2005
www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20052559.htm
www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20052559.htm
I seek only to inform, honest guv.
I've just been pondering whether to print out the legislation and put a copy in my backpack next time I go out on the bike at night. Be an interesting conversation don't you think? Just wait long enough for a hole to be dug and.....
Actually in hindsight I do now realise my post has a limited audience, cyclists AND lights, sheesh
>> Edited by Flat in Fifth on Wednesday 9th November 17:11
I've just been pondering whether to print out the legislation and put a copy in my backpack next time I go out on the bike at night. Be an interesting conversation don't you think? Just wait long enough for a hole to be dug and.....
Actually in hindsight I do now realise my post has a limited audience, cyclists AND lights, sheesh
>> Edited by Flat in Fifth on Wednesday 9th November 17:11
Flat in Fifth said:
Law has just been changed allowing use of flashing front and rear lights. Came into force Oct 21 2005
www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20052559.htm
Flashing rears I understand. Flashing fronts are a bit useless though.
Flat in Fifth said:
I seek only to inform, honest guv.
I've just been pondering whether to print out the legislation and put a copy in my backpack next time I go out on the bike at night. Be an interesting conversation don't you think? Just wait long enough for a hole to be dug and.....
That's
But fun 
Have to say they are a good idea. It's much easier to spot the cyclists a long way off when they have flashing lights.Flashing rears great. Something more than a small match brightness at the front would help.
Obviously crap if head mounted as blends into the background.
And if wearing black on a black bike with camouflage on, then lights don't make that much of a difference. Saw on cyclist yesterday covered in dayglo yellow.
No idea how many I didn't see...
Obviously crap if head mounted as blends into the background.
And if wearing black on a black bike with camouflage on, then lights don't make that much of a difference. Saw on cyclist yesterday covered in dayglo yellow.
No idea how many I didn't see...
I had flashing front and rear lights on my bike 35 years ago - that was mainly because the dynamo didn't grip the side of the tyre very well and used to slip'n'grip about 4 times every wheel rev...
Never realised that I was such a trendsetter - if I had I wouldn't have wasted hours trying to fix the bloody thing by increasing the spring tension with rubber bands etc (even to the extent of losing the plot one night on my paper round, and chucking the bike down on the ground only to watch it right itself and take off down a steep hill into a paddling pool...)
Never realised that I was such a trendsetter - if I had I wouldn't have wasted hours trying to fix the bloody thing by increasing the spring tension with rubber bands etc (even to the extent of losing the plot one night on my paper round, and chucking the bike down on the ground only to watch it right itself and take off down a steep hill into a paddling pool...)
I find that the batteries only last for one week's (8 or 9 hours) with static lights, but they seem to last for up to a month when flashing. Must confess that I wasn't aware that it was previously against the law - surely police time would be better spent stopping cyclists without lights at all - I'm amazed how many there are in London and how the police turn a blind eye... Perhaps they don't spot them?!
I reckon the way forward is a Son hub dynamo powering a front light, then three rear lights - the new Cateye (£30) that you have to be blind to miss, another flasher and a static rear light. The Son gives plenty of light to see and be seen with, and I have a static LED on the front for when I'm stationary at junctions.
But just in case, I've got a yellow day-glow coat, flourescent ankle bands and a bad temper.
Mind you, there's a Foska Bones in the post - ordered this afternoon (www.foska.com) - just in case...
But just in case, I've got a yellow day-glow coat, flourescent ankle bands and a bad temper.
Mind you, there's a Foska Bones in the post - ordered this afternoon (www.foska.com) - just in case...
There is a certain irnoy to cyclists having lights on their person / bike and expecting to be seen, when so many on my route appear incapable of seeing really big lights -- like the red ones that the cars all stop for.
I saw a cyclist stop for a red light last night - she looked positively sheepish - like she was doing something naughty. Two others jumped the lights whilst she waited. Well hey - it was pretty much clear, and they had gathered up good speed, so why not just whizz through...?!
I saw a cyclist stop for a red light last night - she looked positively sheepish - like she was doing something naughty. Two others jumped the lights whilst she waited. Well hey - it was pretty much clear, and they had gathered up good speed, so why not just whizz through...?!
....'of course they do'nt pay road tax, take a test of profiency, undergo an MOT,
obey the rules of the road.
Blatantly become some kind of /cycling/pedestrian at lights, swear at old ladies who dare to challenge ownership on pavements, use lights in the dusk,
look faintly absurd with a small willy type bulg in latex, not to mention the headgear'........
obey the rules of the road.
Blatantly become some kind of /cycling/pedestrian at lights, swear at old ladies who dare to challenge ownership on pavements, use lights in the dusk,
look faintly absurd with a small willy type bulg in latex, not to mention the headgear'........
I pass a cyclist every day whose only lighting is a tiny set of 3 LEDs at the rear, set to flash singly, in sequence. IE the only light visible at any one time is one poxy LED a few mm across. This is, frankly, shit.
Another cyclist I see regularly on the same road has a (I assume) halogen front light which is as bright as most cars. I know which I find easier to spot on a dark morning.
Another cyclist I see regularly on the same road has a (I assume) halogen front light which is as bright as most cars. I know which I find easier to spot on a dark morning.
Rob-C said:
I pass a cyclist every day whose only lighting is a tiny set of 3 LEDs at the rear, set to flash singly, in sequence. IE the only light visible at any one time is one poxy LED a few mm across. This is, frankly, shit.
And illegal because it doesn't meet the brightness criteria. From what I understand the 4 candela means that the light must be as bright as a static light and must flash 60-240 times a minute. I know my rear light is more visible in flashing mode.
Rob-C said:
Another cyclist I see regularly on the same road has a (I assume) halogen front light which is as bright as most cars. I know which I find easier to spot on a dark morning.
The lunacy is that his light is probably also illegal.
School of thought is that you have such a bright light which eats batteries and have a white legal light on LED flash which is legal but economical on batteries.
I'll not mention that leopards don't change their spots, when the lighting regs changed in the 40s so that cyclists had to carry a rear light the CTC vehemently opposed on the basis that no lights would make motorists watch out for cyclists more diligently.
Ho hum....
[/quote]
7db said:No more irony than drivers deciding to break the speed limit while simultaneously moaning about cyclists holding them up.
There is a certain irnoy to cyclists having lights on their person / bike and expecting to be seen, when so many on my route appear incapable of seeing really big lights -- like the red ones that the cars all stop for.
HMMMMMM when will they put scam cameras to trap cyclists?
Yet another money maker!!!
But then - cyclists are "green" and are lowering global warming so they are politically correct. Dont hold much hope of scam cameras for them unless its to identify and reward them with a cut of car fines.
Am i being sarcastic?
Yes i am a cyclist myself sometimes but get really annoyed at the number who are dangerous because of poor visibility and reckless riding. Nearly hit some in the past and when i brake hard they seem to gesticulate threateningly.
I think they do anyway because their camouflage gear makes it difficult to see.
Why not compulsory headgear/reflective clothing/pass a test/etc?
Yet another money maker!!!
But then - cyclists are "green" and are lowering global warming so they are politically correct. Dont hold much hope of scam cameras for them unless its to identify and reward them with a cut of car fines.
Am i being sarcastic?
Yes i am a cyclist myself sometimes but get really annoyed at the number who are dangerous because of poor visibility and reckless riding. Nearly hit some in the past and when i brake hard they seem to gesticulate threateningly.
I think they do anyway because their camouflage gear makes it difficult to see.
Why not compulsory headgear/reflective clothing/pass a test/etc?
Just like drivers, there are good and bad cyclists. When I used to cycle to work (Richmond to City in London) I once had another cyclist ride into the back of me because I stopped at a red light. He then tried to have a go at me for stopping 
IMO cyclists who disobey the rules of the road have no grounds for complaint when a driver does the same to them. Should sort their own behaviour out before critising others.
IMO cyclists who disobey the rules of the road have no grounds for complaint when a driver does the same to them. Should sort their own behaviour out before critising others.
ear!ear!
cycling needs to be policed better. Cyclists must be made to ride safely and not assume that they can do what they like. After all - if they have an incident with a car etc who will come off worst?
Any sensible cyclist knows what is safe and not. Exactly like any driver.
Neither cyclists or drivers own the road - we all share them.
cycling needs to be policed better. Cyclists must be made to ride safely and not assume that they can do what they like. After all - if they have an incident with a car etc who will come off worst?
Any sensible cyclist knows what is safe and not. Exactly like any driver.
Neither cyclists or drivers own the road - we all share them.
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