cycling question

[mightyroar]

I am new to city cycling. I love my new lights, but why would I set them on flashing instead of just steady beam?

Opinions anyone?

drivers or cyclists?

isnt that flashing setting a bit distracting for drivers?

[Asset]

precisely so they notice you.

I use mine flashing. As a driver, they don't distract me and I fnd them more noticeable.

[lozzyloz]

Use a steady beam on the front lamp if you're on an unlit road or path so that you can spot the pot holes. Otherwise definitely disco setting.

I usually wear a reflective strip around my ankle and another disco light on my ruck sack.

[spadetownboy]

is it not illegal to have flashing lights?

[Asset]

according to CTC it is 'theoretically legal'

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

I believe the flashing light isn't illegal, BUT, having a fixed light is a legal requirement. So for ultra safety/legality, have both.

[mlteenie]

Legal requirements; shmegal requirements.

In practice 'the fuzz' are not going to stop you for having the wrong light setting (or prob. even no lights, unfortunately). It is more of a question of alerting your presence to the motorists and other road users, inc. pedestrians.

Also, a lower-mounted light (eg. on your bike) is more visible to a car than one one your bag or worse on your helmet. These are serving almost no useful purpose to the misguided rider (sorry Loz!).

[ChavWivaLawDegree]

I am a car driver and a cyclist. I know how hard it is to see cyclists through a less than clean windscreen or when it's raining or misted up, so I always have my lights on the flashing option because they are a lot more visible to car drivers.

I used to have a light on my bike and one on my helmet for lorries to see, but I don't use a helmet anymore because I find them restrictive, so usually wear a hi viz jacket.

It surprises me when I am driving a car and I see people cycling with low lights or no extra visability gear, because they are often really difficult to see. The fact that you have to look through a windscreen reduces visability straight away, and then like I said if the windscreen in misted up or dirty, or it's raining or even if the sun is low and shining into the car cyclists are very difficult to see. Add to that the fact that many people have eyesight problems and may have weak or no glasses - cyclists need to make themselves as visible as possible.

[Brendan]

As a driver I concur, I will be a lot less likely to knock you down if you have a flashing light. Oh and don?t wear black when you?re cycling, especially at night.

[lozzyloz]

I may have to pimp my ride . . .

[Ant]

I'd always assumed that the flashing was to make the battery last longer.

*gets coat*

[SteveT]

Yes it does Ant but it is also more visible to us elderly half blind drivers.

I saw a bike which had this high viz tape on it and very successful it was too.

Now bicycle lamps are so small you could have more than one, as they are very light weight and much brighter.