if a cyclist lights dazzle a driver, its worth it...

[16simon]

AlexiusG55 said:

Of course, having flashing lights alone on your bike is a bloody stupid idea, as the light could be off when someone glances in a mirror/over their shoulder. I find it harder to focus on a flashing light than a steady one even if I do look at it for a reasonable time (like an oncoming cyclist).

Most decent modern bike lights strobe (ie they are not off at any point in the cycle) rather than flash (cheaper or older lights may still flash).

A lot of the problem is with inappropriate use of lights - much like some drivers use their fog lights - as a lot of the super bright bike lights are designed for offroad use where you need a lot of light.

btw - I didn't register just to post on this thread or to stir up arguments about cars vs cyclists - this just happens to be my first post

[vit4]

I've got a pretty bright light on my bike - dazzling if you look straight at it.

I point it slightly down, like a dipped headlight. Still bright enough to be seen, but not dazzling. Always amazes me when I see other people whose lights are directed dead ahead

[GC8]

Being dazzled by a cycle LED lamp is absolutely nothing like being dazzled by a pair of 60w 12v halogen lamps. People need to stop being so silly.

[Mr E]

GC8 said:

Being dazzled by a cycle LED lamp is absolutely nothing like being dazzled by a pair of 60w 12v halogen lamps. People need to stop being so silly.

Look down the barrel of a modern high output led. They're easily enough to hurt at pretty decent range.

I make damn sure mine are pointing at the floor when I'm on the road.

[hairyben]

Mr E said:

Look down the barrel of a modern high output led. They're easily enough to hurt at pretty decent range.

I make damn sure mine are pointing at the floor when I'm on the road.

Had one pillock a short while ago with a strobe attached to his bonce bright enough to cause residual blurs over 500 yards away.

About time all flashing lights were banned, period- they're only "safer" in the opinion of simpletons- fixed lights allow you to ascertain speed/distance more quickly.

And anyway it's not the stupid cyclist who dazzles the driver who runs him over I'm most concerned about- it's the innocent party the driver might plow into after being dazzled! Coincidentally I almost had this happen to me at 11pm last night- numpty 1 with badly adjusted car headlight dazzles me stupid right as numpty 2 dressed all in black darts across the road right in front of me- luckily driving through tottenham at the time my tt-DAR was running at 110%.

Would a cyclist with a dazzle light face the manslaughter rap in this instance?

[budgie smuggler]

The problem is the arms race. Normal bike lights are lost in the sea of frankly ridiculously bright xenons, DRLs etc.

Complete joke that the bike light limit is 70 candela, but even DRLs can be up to 1200.

[GC8]

hairyben said:

Would a cyclist with a dazzle light face the manslaughter rap in this instance?

Youre being a silly boy.

[hairyben]

GC8 said:

hairyben said:

Would a cyclist with a dazzle light face the manslaughter rap in this instance?

Youre being a silly boy.

Is it okay for me to stand on a overpass and shine a laser pen at the eyes of passing drivers?

[Diderot]

Cyclists with lights on their bikes. That'll be a first then.

[BOR]

Welcome to April.

They.....they don't pay tax, y'know.

[GrumpyTwig]

BOR said:

Welcome to April.

They.....they don't pay tax, y'know.

It's not tax

[jimmyone]

now now ladies.....
what we need is a little concideration for each other.
there are some arshole cyclists out there, just as ther are idiot motorists, .
but whose at most risk ?
some people have more respect for a car than another human being.

[GC8]

hairyben said:

GC8 said:

hairyben said:

Would a cyclist with a dazzle light face the manslaughter rap in this instance?

Youre being a silly boy.

Is it okay for me to stand on a overpass and shine a laser pen at the eyes of passing drivers?

No of course it isnt, but it is equally foolish to suggest that a cycle LED lamp is anything like even the cheapest and weakest novelty laser pointers.

[hairyben]

GC8 said:

hairyben said:

GC8 said:

hairyben said:

Would a cyclist with a dazzle light face the manslaughter rap in this instance?

Youre being a silly boy.

Is it okay for me to stand on a overpass and shine a laser pen at the eyes of passing drivers?

No of course it isnt, but it is equally foolish to suggest that a cycle LED lamp is anything like even the cheapest and weakest novelty laser pointers.

I didn't say they were alike. An LED lamp is nothing like a house brick either but they can both be used to distract drivers, and thats whats alike- the intention to distract.

Regardless of method chosen, is it potentially a criminal act to intentionally distract a driver from concentrating on the road?

[Lordbenny]

Loads of them have them strapped to their helmets, one pointing forward and one to the rear., they are too bright and they need to be banned! All cyclists using them should be shot IMO!

[jimmyone]

Lordbenny said:

Loads of them have them strapped to their helmets, one pointing forward and one to the rear., they are too bright and they need to be banned! All cyclists using them should be shot IMO!

[paranoid airbag]

hairyben said:

Is it okay for me to stand on a overpass and shine a laser pen at the eyes of passing drivers?

No, but then you have no innocent reason to do so, whereas you're required to have some form of lighting, and have an incentive to be not just sufficiently bright on your own, but the brightest thing around. It seems to me a fairly simple case of technology outpacing legislation - 10 years ago I would have laughed at the idea that I could buy bike lights that were TOO bright . A limit on the peak light intensity (rather than total output) would seem sensible - as others have pointed out, it's not the total output (which is still fairly small compared to a normal headlight) but the nothing-nothing-nothing-AAAARGH WHY ARE YOU VAPORISING MY RETINAS-nothing distribution of the light.

Lordbenny said:

Loads of them have them strapped to their helmets, one pointing forward and one to the rear., they are too bright and they need to be banned! All cyclists using them should be shot IMO!

excellent, thanks for continuing to ensure that whenever road safety is discussed by people who can actually do something about it, petrolheads are completely ignored, since they think we're all as idiotic and intolerant as you. I'm sure there's no way that could result in yet more crappy 'safety' measures .

[Clivey]

jimmyone said:

some people have more respect for a car than another human being.

The thing is; cars deserve more respect than some human beings.

Anyone who fits lights knowing (and not caring) that they will dazzle other road users deserves to be the one suffering as a result.

[GC8]

The fkwittery evident in many of the posts here is astounding. Do you realise what a fool you come across as?

[y2blade]

Petrolhead_Rich said:

Linky

Linky above said:

Stephen Young, managing director of Lumicycle, makers of the LED4Si bicycle light, defended the lights, saying:“You have to offset the vulnerability of the cyclist and if that means causing a dazzle to a driver, maybe it's worth it.”

I agree they need to be regulated, some of the latest lights on pedal cycles are ridiculously dazzling and usually aimed at your face, but what a ridiculous statement!

C***s
Although it Sums up the mentality of those that use them tbh