Use of main beam - unlit road cyclists and pedestrians
Discussion
Interested in views on the below:
The Highway Code has a general requirement not to use ones lights to dazzle other road users, which is completely understandable.
What about the particular scenario where one is coming up behind either a solo cyclist or a pedestrian on an unlit road travelling in the same direction - is it OK to keep lights on beam for maximum visibility or should one dip in all cases in case the individual turns round and is dazzled? Clearly if approaching a junction then one would dip as a matter of course, or another vehicle's approaching etc.
What do you think? Yes, no, or something in between with a test of reasonableness in the circumstances?
The Highway Code has a general requirement not to use ones lights to dazzle other road users, which is completely understandable.
What about the particular scenario where one is coming up behind either a solo cyclist or a pedestrian on an unlit road travelling in the same direction - is it OK to keep lights on beam for maximum visibility or should one dip in all cases in case the individual turns round and is dazzled? Clearly if approaching a junction then one would dip as a matter of course, or another vehicle's approaching etc.
What do you think? Yes, no, or something in between with a test of reasonableness in the circumstances?
Edited by Bonefish Blues on Monday 29th January 14:47
Bonefish Blues said:
Interested in views on the below:
The Highway Code has a general requirement not to use ones lights to dazzle other road users, which is completely understandable.
What about the particular scenario where one is coming up behind either a solo cyclist or a pedestrian on an unlit road travelling in the same direction - is it OK to keep lights on beam for maximum visibility or should one dip in all cases in case the individual turns round and is dazzled? Clearly if approaching a junction then one would dip as a matter of course, or another vihicle's approaching etc.
What do you think? Yes, no, or something in between with a test of reasonableness in the circumstances?
Give it beans - no time to turn round.The Highway Code has a general requirement not to use ones lights to dazzle other road users, which is completely understandable.
What about the particular scenario where one is coming up behind either a solo cyclist or a pedestrian on an unlit road travelling in the same direction - is it OK to keep lights on beam for maximum visibility or should one dip in all cases in case the individual turns round and is dazzled? Clearly if approaching a junction then one would dip as a matter of course, or another vihicle's approaching etc.
What do you think? Yes, no, or something in between with a test of reasonableness in the circumstances?
d 
Bonefish Blues said:
Interested in views on the below:
The Highway Code has a general requirement not to use ones lights to dazzle other road users, which is completely understandable.
What about the particular scenario where one is coming up behind either a solo cyclist or a pedestrian on an unlit road travelling in the same direction - is it OK to keep lights on beam for maximum visibility or should one dip in all cases in case the individual turns round and is dazzled? Clearly if approaching a junction then one would dip as a matter of course, or another vihicle's approaching etc.
What do you think? Yes, no, or something in between with a test of reasonableness in the circumstances?
As a cyclist I generally appreciate the extra illumination! Full beam will light me up nice and bright to. Win win for me in my opinion. The Highway Code has a general requirement not to use ones lights to dazzle other road users, which is completely understandable.
What about the particular scenario where one is coming up behind either a solo cyclist or a pedestrian on an unlit road travelling in the same direction - is it OK to keep lights on beam for maximum visibility or should one dip in all cases in case the individual turns round and is dazzled? Clearly if approaching a junction then one would dip as a matter of course, or another vihicle's approaching etc.
What do you think? Yes, no, or something in between with a test of reasonableness in the circumstances?
Vocal Minority said:
Bonefish Blues said:
Interested in views on the below:
The Highway Code has a general requirement not to use ones lights to dazzle other road users, which is completely understandable.
What about the particular scenario where one is coming up behind either a solo cyclist or a pedestrian on an unlit road travelling in the same direction - is it OK to keep lights on beam for maximum visibility or should one dip in all cases in case the individual turns round and is dazzled? Clearly if approaching a junction then one would dip as a matter of course, or another vihicle's approaching etc.
What do you think? Yes, no, or something in between with a test of reasonableness in the circumstances?
As a cyclist I generally appreciate the extra illumination! Full beam will light me up nice and bright to. Win win for me in my opinion. The Highway Code has a general requirement not to use ones lights to dazzle other road users, which is completely understandable.
What about the particular scenario where one is coming up behind either a solo cyclist or a pedestrian on an unlit road travelling in the same direction - is it OK to keep lights on beam for maximum visibility or should one dip in all cases in case the individual turns round and is dazzled? Clearly if approaching a junction then one would dip as a matter of course, or another vihicle's approaching etc.
What do you think? Yes, no, or something in between with a test of reasonableness in the circumstances?
Derek Smith said:
Vocal Minority said:
Bonefish Blues said:
Interested in views on the below:
The Highway Code has a general requirement not to use ones lights to dazzle other road users, which is completely understandable.
What about the particular scenario where one is coming up behind either a solo cyclist or a pedestrian on an unlit road travelling in the same direction - is it OK to keep lights on beam for maximum visibility or should one dip in all cases in case the individual turns round and is dazzled? Clearly if approaching a junction then one would dip as a matter of course, or another vihicle's approaching etc.
What do you think? Yes, no, or something in between with a test of reasonableness in the circumstances?
As a cyclist I generally appreciate the extra illumination! Full beam will light me up nice and bright to. Win win for me in my opinion. The Highway Code has a general requirement not to use ones lights to dazzle other road users, which is completely understandable.
What about the particular scenario where one is coming up behind either a solo cyclist or a pedestrian on an unlit road travelling in the same direction - is it OK to keep lights on beam for maximum visibility or should one dip in all cases in case the individual turns round and is dazzled? Clearly if approaching a junction then one would dip as a matter of course, or another vihicle's approaching etc.
What do you think? Yes, no, or something in between with a test of reasonableness in the circumstances?
Let my BMW Selective Beam do the work which is sort of like a 50/50 experience.
It recognises cyclists very well, bends the passenger beam and keeps the right hand on full if there is no oncoming traffic.
Move past and 15 seconds later depending on traffic conditions back on to full beam until the next change is need.
It recognises cyclists very well, bends the passenger beam and keeps the right hand on full if there is no oncoming traffic.
Move past and 15 seconds later depending on traffic conditions back on to full beam until the next change is need.
Torquey said:
Derek Smith said:
Vocal Minority said:
Bonefish Blues said:
Interested in views on the below:
The Highway Code has a general requirement not to use ones lights to dazzle other road users, which is completely understandable.
What about the particular scenario where one is coming up behind either a solo cyclist or a pedestrian on an unlit road travelling in the same direction - is it OK to keep lights on beam for maximum visibility or should one dip in all cases in case the individual turns round and is dazzled? Clearly if approaching a junction then one would dip as a matter of course, or another vihicle's approaching etc.
What do you think? Yes, no, or something in between with a test of reasonableness in the circumstances?
As a cyclist I generally appreciate the extra illumination! Full beam will light me up nice and bright to. Win win for me in my opinion. The Highway Code has a general requirement not to use ones lights to dazzle other road users, which is completely understandable.
What about the particular scenario where one is coming up behind either a solo cyclist or a pedestrian on an unlit road travelling in the same direction - is it OK to keep lights on beam for maximum visibility or should one dip in all cases in case the individual turns round and is dazzled? Clearly if approaching a junction then one would dip as a matter of course, or another vihicle's approaching etc.
What do you think? Yes, no, or something in between with a test of reasonableness in the circumstances?
https://forum.cyclinguk.org/viewtopic.php?f=7&...
Appreciate further views
Edited by Bonefish Blues on Tuesday 30th January 14:53
Ninja59 said:
Let my BMW Selective Beam do the work which is sort of like a 50/50 experience.
It recognises cyclists very well, bends the passenger beam and keeps the right hand on full if there is no oncoming traffic.
Move past and 15 seconds later depending on traffic conditions back on to full beam until the next change is need.
The lights on my S-Max do similar. It's freaky but awesome - I particularly like how it spots and lights up road signs.It recognises cyclists very well, bends the passenger beam and keeps the right hand on full if there is no oncoming traffic.
Move past and 15 seconds later depending on traffic conditions back on to full beam until the next change is need.
Bonefish Blues said:
Interesting you all say that. Here's a linky to another Forum I use where there's a remarkably similar debate going on...
https://forum.cyclinguk.org/viewtopic.php?f=7&...
Appreciate further views (Pavlovian "cyclists are dicks" comments can probably find another thread, mind
)
That the OP calculated it happened to him 84% of the times smacks of someone who feels he needs to complain about something - if I am being mean spirited. https://forum.cyclinguk.org/viewtopic.php?f=7&...
Appreciate further views (Pavlovian "cyclists are dicks" comments can probably find another thread, mind
)Torquey said:
Derek Smith said:
Vocal Minority said:
Bonefish Blues said:
Interested in views on the below:
The Highway Code has a general requirement not to use ones lights to dazzle other road users, which is completely understandable.
What about the particular scenario where one is coming up behind either a solo cyclist or a pedestrian on an unlit road travelling in the same direction - is it OK to keep lights on beam for maximum visibility or should one dip in all cases in case the individual turns round and is dazzled? Clearly if approaching a junction then one would dip as a matter of course, or another vihicle's approaching etc.
What do you think? Yes, no, or something in between with a test of reasonableness in the circumstances?
As a cyclist I generally appreciate the extra illumination! Full beam will light me up nice and bright to. Win win for me in my opinion. The Highway Code has a general requirement not to use ones lights to dazzle other road users, which is completely understandable.
What about the particular scenario where one is coming up behind either a solo cyclist or a pedestrian on an unlit road travelling in the same direction - is it OK to keep lights on beam for maximum visibility or should one dip in all cases in case the individual turns round and is dazzled? Clearly if approaching a junction then one would dip as a matter of course, or another vihicle's approaching etc.
What do you think? Yes, no, or something in between with a test of reasonableness in the circumstances?
Personally I would use main beam enough to judge where the cyclist is and no more. This is despite all manner of flashing red or white lights badly aimed at retina burning intensity from the average bicycle.
I just think of the paperwork you won't have to do by avoiding contact with the impending accident ahead.
I just think of the paperwork you won't have to do by avoiding contact with the impending accident ahead.
As a cyclist, I prefer it when approaching cars dip their lights. Firstly it demonstrates that the car has seen me. Secondly I find that if cars leave their main beam on, I can see brilliantly for the short while that they’re behind me, but as soon as they go past I’m back to riding in the dark again, only with knackered night vision because it just got wiped out by the super bright main beam I’ve just been riding in.
Speaking as a car driver that never cycles, I'll dip my main beam if cyclist/pedestrian is oncoming, as in they would be dazzled in the same way an oncoming car driver would be.
If I'm approaching from behind and they're not looking over their shoulder at me, then I'll leave the main beam on, as I think they do appreciate the extra bit of light to pick out potholes etc.
If I'm approaching from behind and they're not looking over their shoulder at me, then I'll leave the main beam on, as I think they do appreciate the extra bit of light to pick out potholes etc.
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