Bicycles with flashing head lamps

[VBD]

I’ve noticed more and more bikes with flashing headlamps. I see several in the evenings heading down Fauntleroy to and from the ferry. These lights might make cyclists feel safer due to the high degree of visibility, but there are some who feel it actually makes them less safe. Also, flashing headlamps are illegal.

Does anybody feel that these lamps are a good thing? Or should the law be enforced and the cyclists cited?

Read this: http://crosscut.com/2013/11/25/transportation/117580/bicycle-bullies-turn-your-blinking-lights/

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[Kevin]

I think that “flashing” bicycle headlamps are a GREAT idea, just as much as reflective clothing and flashing red tail lights. ALL are very effective techniques to increase visibility and to reduce the chance of an accident!

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I once took the time to stop, roll down my window and compliment a woman pedestrian dressed in all black who took the time to wear a reflective strap draped over her shoulder strap around her neck, dropping down to her waist.

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My car headlights picked her up well ahead of the time my vehicle was approaching her!

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[2 Much Whine]

Seriously? The inflammatory article states “strobing and flashing headlights, shine straight into the eyes of motorists and other cyclists, transfixing them with disco-ball distraction.” We’re not zombies or idiots that become instantly hypnotized when a person on a bike rides by with a flashing light. Let’s see, how many times have I wrecked my car because I was transfixed by a disco ball? Let me think. . . . hmmmmmm. . . oh yeah, that’s right, NEVER.

I applaud folks that take the precautions necessary to protect themselves and others. When they start shooting laser beams into my pupils I’ll be concerned but until then. . . . meh.

Also, the article states they are illegal yet sites nothing making them illegal. It states that “Codes in Seattle and Washington State require only a front headlight that is visible from at least 500 feet away and a red rear reflector; a red taillight is an acceptable addition but no substitute for the reflector.” That doesn’t mean having more light is illegal – it just provides a minimum level.

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[VBD]

Actually, flashing headlights ARE, in fact, illegal in Washington. Tail lights on bikes are OK to flash though.

Here’s the reference from RCW 46.37.280:

“(3) Flashing lights are prohibited except as required in RCW 46.37.190, 46.37.200, 46.37.210, 46.37.215, and 46.37.300, warning lamps authorized by the state patrol, and light-emitting diode flashing taillights on bicycles”

I agree the article had some overblown descriptions of the hazard, but the fact these newer lamps can get extremely bright is the issue of concern.

A person wearing reflective clothing or using a warning light at reasonable brightness is obviously a good thing.

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[WSB]

I can’t resist the side note:

Separate from the pro/con of a single bicyclist’s flashing lights … there is a MASSIVE pulsing light adjacent to a major highway that never really got much discussion before implementation. Ever driven the Alaskan Way Viaduct on a night when the Great Wheel is in full strobe mode?

Sorry, back to your regularly scheduled discussion.

Tracy

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[datamuse]

Really? This guy thinks these are more dangerous/a greater distraction than, say, xenon headlamps on cars, which completely destroy my night vision?

My headlamp has a flashing setting, but I don’t really use it since the main reason for the lamp is so I can see where I’m going. Accordingly, I usually have it adjusted so it spotlights the street ahead while I’m riding. I can’t think why I’d use the flashing setting when riding a separated bike trail. What would be the point?

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[hammerhead]

I don’t care if they are illegal. I can only say THANK YOU FOR WEARING ONE front and back. Most of the times even clothing is just not enough, cyclist tend to lean forward, well, no light bounces off the clothing.

It is hard to see cyclist, and I have a big truck with mirrors that stick out and I don’t want to hit a cyclist. I also honk, and get in the other lane.

SO flash away:)

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[datamuse]

I do have some smaller lights that flash, both fore and aft. They aren’t as bright as what VBD is talking about, though.

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[me]

My issue with them is many seem to be doing battle with epileptic squirrels.(as in they are aimed high)

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[JayDee]

OK: A ped wearing a reflective stripe: Great. I wish more peds thought about about dark clothing…I look for you all, but wearing black running pants and hoping we see the logo on your shoes is wishful thinking.

Flashing headlamps like those mentioned in the article–stupid. A reminder of your presence is all that is needed, not an offensive assault. That won’t help safety and at worst make you an unintentional target.

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[adidasguy]

Riding a motorcycle most of the time, I really notice those flashing lights. They ARE very distracting and cause temporary eye fixation while you determine what it is.

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[RG]

My neighbor switches her front light to blinking at night when the weather is inclement or if it’s foggy outside. I think her reasoning is that drivers going the same direction can peripherally see her better?

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[seaopgal]

I don’t like them (as a driver) but maybe because I am just not used to them … like adidasguy, it takes me a while to figure out what it is. Sort of like when they first started putting turn signal indicators on side mirrors … took a while to get used to seeing a light there. Can’t imagine that they really help the cyclist see the road or obstacles, either.

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[datamuse]

Y’know, first people complain they can’t see us then they complain we’re too distracting. Make up your minds, I’m just trying to get to the post office…

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[sbre]

Ok, my 2 cents worth:

I too am not a fan of the bright headlamp that flashes as it causes temporary blindness, I strongly feel those riders ought to be using the same light in the solid beam mode to light their path. In the flashing mode it does very little/next to nothing to lighten up any obstacles in ones path.

For the past 8 years I have been a year-around daily bike commuter and once or twice a week cross paths with one cyclist who chooses to use his bright headlamp in the flashing mode, we cross paths along the W. Marginal trail going opposite directions and most of the time its in dark areas where that is the only light source in my field of vision. So one morning I flagged him down, explained the problem and offered to show him how distracting the flashing light is by aiming mine at him. His reply was short…”mind your own f*%king business” and he rode away.

Months later, this morning in fact, he stills rides in flashing mode.

In either mode, flashing or solid, bikes using headlamps can be seen coming at me from very far away, the flashing doesn’t do much to enhance the ability to see an on-coming individual, it only bothers the eyes of those its aimed towards.

Personally, I use the solid beam mode of my headlamp (mounted under my handlebar bag) and have a smaller, significantly less-bright flashing light on the front of my helmet with the thinking that the solid beam lights my way and the flasher helps to attract the eyes of those around without causing any visual impairment. The flashing light also helps those people/drivers who might be on the other side of a parked car or other obstacle that blocks the sight of the headlamp but can see the flasher over said obstacle.

On the back of my bike is a solid red light mounted just above the rear tire and a flashing red light (in its lowest setting) attached to the back of my helmet.

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[VBD]

I’m also an avid cyclist, though I don’t ride at night as often as I used to. I really like the idea of bikes being able to use lights creatively to be seen. However, I don’t care for the flashing headlights.

At first, I wasn’t sure why I didn’t like them, but the other night I saw a particularly bright one and it occurred to me. The reason is that it makes the bike’s movement hard to interpret.

When a bright strobe is flashing in the dark, that is all a driver can see. There is no visible bike or person, just a bright flash. It takes several flashes before you can determine if it’s moving or not, and if it’s traversing left or right. It actually sort of alarmed me when I saw it, since I thought at first it was crossing the street in front of me. The brightness made me think it was closer than it really was.

I believe a steady light would be easier to interpret, and better for judging the speed and direction of a bike. Ultimately, I figure that is safer for both the driver and the cyclist.

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[sunshine]

I have a steady beam headlight, a red flashing tail light and a round slow flashing light that’s visible from the side.

Every time I’ve been hit ot nearly HIT by a car was when I was going through a controlled intersection and a car approaching on the right didn’t see me. Since I’ve had the slow 360 flash, it hasn’t happened.

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[Breezy]

I like them, as a rider and as a driver. Ideally, all riders would be wearing reflective clothing, but that’s just not going to happen. Lights are the next best thing. They are not there to help us see, but to help us be seen. Kind of like car headlights in foggy conditions. Headlights hurt my eyes as a driver, especially some of the newest ones, but I sure don’t want the drivers turning them off! Ride safe everyone and drivers, take a second look :) it only takes a second.

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[Al]

A cyclist just can’t get a break can they? Not even for trying to make themselves MORE visible so they don’t, say, get hit by a driver claiming to have not seen them.

1) automobile light are incredibly blinding if stared directly at. I could claim that those are blinding so they shouldn’t be used on city streets.

2) personally, when encountering a cyclist with a flash front light, I don’t look at the light. Never had any problems.

3) from years of riding experiences, I use a front flash on streets, solid when on a dark trail, and a solid helmet beam. A rear flash and reflector on the back along with lots of reflective tape. I have drivers notice me more, IMHO, with that flash. It immediately reads ‘cyclist.’

4) when cyclists stop being condemned for doing all they can to not be hit; for taking a lane, to what lights they use/don’t use, for the clothing colors of choice, to helmet choices, and even stop getting hit at all THEN I would maybe consider not using a front flash on the street.

Thanks for your concern about my safety. Hope you continue to never drive over the speed limit, roll through a stop sign, slow down and prepare for a stop at each yellow light and yield to all pedestrians and cyclists at each legal intersection crossing.

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[Rainier]

Your eyes acclimate to your surroundings and when your surroundings are bright car lights, several of them on each vehicle and street lights that bounce off of cars, further helping their visibility, it does make it tough to see a bicycle which is only illuminated by an itty bitty pin dot of a light. I too have taken several seconds to realize what the blinky light in the distance was. I think a steady light is better than a strobe but either way, a headlamp is not enough to be visible. And that is not for lack of attention of the driver. When I rode, I put both bright lights and eye-catching lights on the bike in hopes if one wasn’t noticed, maybe the other would be. I never could do a survey of the drivers around me though to know how effective that tactic was. I would have appreciated the input since my goal was to be seen. What is the resistance of some cyclists to using larger bright lights?

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[FionaEnzo]

I think strobe at lower location to get attention but solid light too to allow driver to determine distance. I appreciate that strobes make you pay attention but given that both vehicles are in motion, an additional aid to immediately locate the cyclist is extremely helpful. The strobe is slightly disorienting but I very much appreciate its primary purpose. Reflective clothing is so necessary. Who do so many cyclists and peds wear black? Like a group of itinerant mimes.

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[amalia]

Al-

Thanks for that response – normally when I see or hear stuff like this, I can only roll my eyes wearily. You spoke for me.

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I wear 2 blinkies on the back, a steady on my helmet and a flasher on my handlebar that I turn off on trails. I will continue to do so, on the brightest setting I have, until I feel safe (haha) on Seattle streets.

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[amalia]

Sunshine, I don’t think I know what you’re talking about (the 360* light) – can you post a link to one?

Thanks!

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[datamuse]

As it turns out, brightly colored clothing doesn’t help night visibility all that much since most of it (especially those bright yellow jackets) needs UV light to really shine, and that’s, er, in short supply at night.

Reflective tape makes a big difference, though. A lot of cycle clothing, even the dark colored stuff, has reflective strips on it that really shine when car headlights hit them. That’s what I’ve been favoring when I ride at night.

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[CountingCoup]

So if I understand the debate, when a cyclist has a flashing light on their helmet, it disorients the driver making the cyclist less safe? What is this, Poltergeist where a light causes drivers to drive into it? If you happen to notice the flashing light on a cyclists helmet, I guess the reason for having it on (visibility) worked… Now say the lights were as powerful as those on a police car, I would think you had a case, but even the brightest cycle light isn’t as powerful as the disco strobe baby ~

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