Blue strobe light on my bike helmet - legal?

[Dog Star]

This is a purely hypothetical question - the result of a discussion over a lunchtime pint.

Obviously it's illegal/against C&U to have a blue flashing strobe light on your car/bike.
But what if it wasn't on your car or bike - what if you had it mounted, in the case of a motorcyclist, on top of your helmet? It's not part of the bike. I'm not aware that displaying a flashing blue light is an offence.

I imagine it'd be quite handy if you wanted to make progress through slow traffic

[PAULJ5555]

Cyclist who use those strobe lights are a PITA and are danger to other road users.

A blue one - I assume bib would just tell you to turn it off.

[505diff]

As far as I know suicide is not against the law so it should not be a problem, people on bikes who like to make 'progress' in heavy traffic are normally organ donors in waiting as they never seem to ride to the conditions. Their is a knob near me who each morning switches hazards on as they pass double white lines the wrong side on a bend to beat the traffic queue, I just hope when they get killed the person they hit can move on with life quickly.

[Starfighter]

The only reason you would make progress is that other drivers would assume you to be Bill / Trumpton / Holby City. I have seen GENUINE blue lights on pedal cycles which clearly you are not. I would expect to see you pulled for this.

[klingelton]

@505diff it's safer to filter than to sit in traffic. Motorcyclists don't want to be organ donors, just most car drivers can't turn their head to view more than a 30 degree cone of view directly in front of them.

As far as I'm aware, any lights affixed to your vehicle, with the exception of indicators should be a steady glow.

@ whomever it was who said that strobe lights are an irritant: you did see them, right? So it worked, right?! rather them be alive and an irritant than dead.

[Dog Star]

This was a tongue in cheek question, you know.

[Rubin215]

505diff said:

As far as I know suicide is not against the law so it should not be a problem, people on bikes who like to make 'progress' in heavy traffic are normally organ donors in waiting as they never seem to ride to the conditions. Their is a knob near me who each morning switches hazards on as they pass double white lines the wrong side on a bend to beat the traffic queue, I just hope when they get killed the person they hit can move on with life quickly.

Ooh, someone's a tad bitter!

Jealous much, Smallcock...?

[littleredrooster]

Dog Star said:

This was a tongue in cheek question, you know.

Indeed, and it has only elicited guesswork, assumptions and opinions thus far. No-one proffering an answer. I have no idea of the legal standpoint, so will remain schtum, this being the SP&L forum...

[mcflurry]

klingelton said:

whomever it was who said that strobe lights are an irritant: you did see them, right? So it worked, right?! rather them be alive and an irritant than dead.

IMHO some of the strobes are so bright, it's like shining a torch up directly into the eyes.
That doesn't irritate, it "blinds" for a few seconds

[donutsina911]

505diff said:

As far as I know suicide is not against the law so it should not be a problem, people on bikes who like to make 'progress' in heavy traffic are normally organ donors in waiting as they never seem to ride to the conditions. Their is a knob near me who each morning switches hazards on as they pass double white lines the wrong side on a bend to beat the traffic queue, I just hope when they get killed the person they hit can move on with life quickly.

Would be funny laughing at a bitter cage dweller were it not for the last crass sentence. Knob.

[Stinkfoot]

Some the led lights cyclists use are so powerful its bloody dangerous. Add a strobing effect to the powerful light and oncoming drivers have a serious problem.

[Tannedbaldhead]

Stinkfoot said:

Some the led lights cyclists use are so powerful its bloody dangerous.

Have to agree. I have an Ultrafire Lithium-ion battery powered head torch I use at work. It blinds anyone I look at. Wouldn't dare use it cycling on the road. It would be a liability. As a cyclist especially in town (but even in the country) there is sufficient light to see far enough ahead to make progress safely at the speeds a bike travels (why do you think kids knock about with no lights at all). As such, all the lights a cyclist needs is enough to be seen. No need, therefore, for these big li-ion battery pack powered lights that have the candle power to rival night stage rally car illuminations.

[gazza285]

Tannedbaldhead said:

No need, therefore, for these big li-ion battery pack powered lights that have the candle power to rival night stage rally car illuminations.

So what if I want to go down bridleways and green lanes at speed on my bike at night?

As usual, it's not the light that is too bright, it is where you point it.

[fangio]

gazza285 said:

So what if I want to go down bridleways and green lanes at speed on my bike at night?

Id say you want your head looking at!

[DrDoofenshmirtz]

Anyway... To answer the question (FFS) - yes, it is entirely legal to wear a flashing beacon on your lid. You can wear whatever you want and illuminate it any way you so please...red, green, blue, flashing...all perfectly legal. But it must be worn, not attached to the vehicle in any way - and the power must not come from the vehicle (i.e it must be a self contained power source).

[catso]