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Main
Date: 27 Oct 2007 14:36:08
From: still me
Subject: Strobe lights ?
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So, I'm driving down a country road last night, and as I come around a corner a wildly flashing white strobe light accosts me coming the other way (fortunately on the opposite side of the road). My first thought was WTF? Then I realized it was a bicycle headlight, and my second thought was WTF!
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Date: 05 Nov 2007 11:05:57
From: datakoll
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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> David Lloyd I use photon or nashbar blinkie (s) in amber, 1/2x1" front and side. the NOTICE factor is so high, people comment on the lights as I ride thru. the fronts seperate the bike from a porch light.
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Date: 05 Nov 2007 01:54:33
From: David Lloyd
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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On 31 Oct, 19:16, "Yannik" <geen.ad...@hotmail.com > wrote: > With the clear lens positioned to the front of the bike your eyes will have > difficulties due to the extremes between the on and of moments. > Yannik This is why flashing lights for use on the front of the bike have a maximum brightness specification, and should not be used on their own in the dark. If the xenon strobe has a body mounting option, and is still waterproof without the red cover, I would attach it to your back for use as a supplementary beacon. David Lloyd
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Date: 05 Nov 2007 13:47:05
From: Martin Dann
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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David Lloyd wrote: > This is why flashing lights for use on the front of the bike have a > maximum brightness specification, and should not be used on their own > in the dark. If the xenon strobe has a body mounting option, and is > still waterproof without the red cover, I would attach it to your back > for use as a supplementary beacon. AIUI in the UK flashing lights for both the front and rear have a minimum brightness of 4 candela. There is no maximum.
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Date: 05 Nov 2007 12:28:02
From: _
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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On Mon, 05 Nov 2007 01:54:33 -0800, David Lloyd wrote: > This is why flashing lights for use on the front of the bike have a > maximum brightness specification, This is perhaps true where you ride, but not everywhere. Can you post a link to this specification please.
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Date: 04 Nov 2007 23:16:57
From: datakoll
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39175179&memberId=12500226
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Date: 30 Oct 2007 19:45:55
From: Gary Young
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 19:36:13 -0600, A Muzi wrote: >> A Muzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote: >> WIS Statutes 347.07: >>> .. no person shall operate any vehicle or equipment...(a) any color of >>> light visible from the front except white or amber (b) any color of >>> light other than red in the rear, or (c) any flashing light > > Larry wrote: >> That's interesting... How severe was the snippage? This would make >> common turn signals illegal (flashing light) and the common amber turn >> signal doubly so (flashing and not red in the rear). > > > Take a peek: > http://www.legis.state.wi.us/statutes/Stat0347.pdf > > Most US state statutes are similar > Section 347.489, which deals specifically with bicycle lighting, contradicts the general rule: "A lamp emitting a red or flashing amber light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to but not in lieu of the red reflector." In a case like this, a court would probably say that the specific rule trumps the general rule when it comes to bicycles and thus allow a rear flashing amber light. Or maybe not.
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Date: 30 Oct 2007 15:31:03
From: Scott Gordo
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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On Oct 30, 10:03 am, datakoll <datak...@yahoo.com > wrote: > well, i'll try one pursuing the idea more is less, entertaining, > eyecatching - a backpack attachment. > > when is a blinkie a strobe? > > http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?store... > > answer: when it costs les than $30 > > btw - WILDLY flashing is not the idea. The design idea is 'nervous > consummation' where stimuli are applied to the nervous system bringing > the system into a max state of nervousness. or consciousness. > PULSED is the strobe idea Okay...well, just to throw my $.02 in, I live and ride in NYC, where there are just too many lights for someone to notice a non-blinking little red light. I'm not saying that I'm competing with Lazer Floyd or anything, but I think it's quaint to think that my Knog blinkie would be unlawful. /s
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Date: 30 Oct 2007 14:03:21
From: datakoll
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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well, i'll try one pursuing the idea more is less, entertaining, eyecatching - a backpack attachment. when is a blinkie a strobe? http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1&partNumber=91110&memberId=12500226 answer: when it costs les than $30 btw - WILDLY flashing is not the idea. The design idea is 'nervous consummation' where stimuli are applied to the nervous system bringing the system into a max state of nervousness. or consciousness. PULSED is the strobe idea
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Date: 30 Oct 2007 13:49:38
From: Scott Gordo
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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On Oct 30, 9:21 am, datakoll <datak...@yahoo.com > wrote: > White writes a coherent DiNotte at http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/dinotte.asp ...shown installed on an Airborne? I'm rather surprised. /s
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Date: 30 Oct 2007 13:21:42
From: datakoll
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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White writes a coherent DiNotte at http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/dinotte.asp
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Date: 29 Oct 2007 16:41:57
From: Scott Gordo
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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On Oct 27, 10:36 am, still me <wheeled...@yahoo.com > wrote: > So, I'm driving down a country road last night, and as I come around a > corner a wildly flashing white strobe light accosts me coming the > other way (fortunately on the opposite side of the road). > > My first thought was WTF? Then I realized it was a bicycle headlight, > and my second thought was WTF! Wait, so, strobe lights and neon spandex, NOT your kind of party? Scott "stack of singles" Gordo
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Date: 29 Oct 2007 16:17:58
From: nmp
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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mb wrote: >> >>On 2007-10-27, nmp <address@is.invalid> wrote: >> > > > For this reason it is illegal in many (European) countries to >> > > > have blinking lights on a bicycle. Blinking lights in these >> > > > countries are understood to be indicators or signaling/emergency >> > > > lights. I think the police here (Netherlands) would certainly >> > > > frown upon stroboscopic lights. >> > > >> > > > Don't know if they're illegal here (in NL), Voertuigreglement, Artikel 5.9.64 > but I do see a fair few cycles with them and they are on sale via the > usual places. The police also check on cycle lights during the winter > months.
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Date: 29 Oct 2007 05:02:21
From: Crescentius Vespasianus
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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still me wrote: > So, I'm driving down a country road last night, and as I come around a > corner a wildly flashing white strobe light accosts me coming the > other way (fortunately on the opposite side of the road). > > My first thought was WTF? Then I realized it was a bicycle headlight, > and my second thought was WTF! > ----------------- You might of seen a DiNotte in flash mode, which is very powerful. I don't use the flash mode now, until the sun is about to rise, and there is ambient light out there. In the pitch black it seems to freeze cars, because they can't figure out what that huge white flasher is. So you have the absurd situation where, cars wait 3-5 minutes before coming out on the street, when they have plenty of time to get out there, before you go in front of them. You can see a DiNotte flasher in the middle of the day.
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Date: 29 Oct 2007 21:10:51
From: dabac
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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still me Wrote: > So, I'm driving down a country road last night, and as I come around a > corner a wildly flashing white strobe light accosts me coming the > other way (fortunately on the opposite side of the road). > > My first thought was WTF? Then I realized it was a bicycle headlight, > and my second thought was WTF! After having done a couple of weeks of bike commuting to work, usuall in less than ideal visibility conditions I must say that I'm quite i favor of lights in general and flashing lights in particular. Although I wouldn't want to use them to light my way (if it was dar enough for that to be called for) they do make it far easier to spo other riders, so probably they'd make me easier to spot too. Foggy/drizzly mornings I've run flashers myself, although the ambien light has been quite acceptable to ride by. If I set my light o High-Fixed(which is quite good both to see with, and to be seen by) got maybe 90 minutes runtime, on flash I've supposedly got over 10 hours. With a 65-80 minute commute each way that's another compellin argument for using the flash setting -- dabac
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Date: 29 Oct 2007 11:09:52
From: c
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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Bikes with hub generators, riding at a low speed give strobe light. (The blinking period is really faster than blinking lights) c still me wrote: > So, I'm driving down a country road last night, and as I come around a > corner a wildly flashing white strobe light accosts me coming the > other way (fortunately on the opposite side of the road). > > My first thought was WTF? Then I realized it was a bicycle headlight, > and my second thought was WTF! > >
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Date: 28 Oct 2007 17:09:08
From:
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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On Oct 27, 11:11 pm, still me <wheeled...@yahoo.com > wrote: > On 27 Oct 2007 20:07:49 GMT, nmp <addr...@is.invalid> wrote: > > >In some situations, there *might* not be enough time or opportunity to > >see the blink-blink-blink happening before one hits the cyclist. I'm still skeptical. That would have to be limited to situations where the cyclist came into the visual field only a second or so before the crash. > Well, the one I posted about was way past "blink" and into "bright > white strobe headlight". I think it represented more of a hazard to > motorists than it did a safety device to bikers, at least on that dark > country road. Yes, to me, anything as blinding as a strobe is mindless overkill. > Not to mention, as the bike's apparent headlight, one > has to assume the rider gets an interesting view of the road in front > of him. > > I think it would be a "feature" if it was a small add on light > designed to draw some attention beyond that of the usual steady > headlight, but as a primary headlight, it was not a good thing. ISTM that a blinking front LED in _addition_ to a proper steady headlight, could add a modest bit of benefit. The effect would be very similar to the modulated headlights used by some motorcyclists. However, I'd stop way short of saying they're necessary on a bicycle - which is where a lot of people seem to end up, when praising their personal choice of safety equipment. - Frank Krygowski
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Date: 28 Oct 2007 10:43:44
From: anth
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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On Sat, 2007-10-27 at 11:54 -0500, Ben C wrote: > Are you sure that's the reason they're illegal? I thought (based on > rumour and conjecture) they were illegal in GB because of the absurd > consideration that you are technically riding with no rear light at all > for the duration of each blink's off-phase. > > I think they've changed the law here and they aren't illegal any more. There are standards that lights are required to meet, and those didn't allow for flashing. I don't think it was because a flashing light is only a light half the time so much as they weren't considered at all. Or it could be that flashing lights were only allowed in certain circumstances, eg by emergency services. The highway code has been updated to allow flashing lights. http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4568 I think that bicycles (and trikes) are the only vehicles allowed to use blinkies as their only lights. Emergency vehicles have flashing lights of course, but these are in addition to the lights they are required to have. Four pedal reflectors are required too, and must be "plainly visible". This doesn't make a lot of sense with panniers or especially a recumbent. It makes almost all clipless pedals illegal, and selling a bike fitted with them also illegal, but no one seems to care. So much for .uk on to the country I live in now. In .nz I think there was a prosecution several years ago against a cyclist who had a blinkie. Flashing red (and/or blue) lights were only legal for emergency services, but I don't know how the case turned out and suspect it got dropped. It was several years ago, so I could be misremembering, and I can't find anything on the web that refers to it. The law was changed to allow blinkies. We are allowed either steady or flashing lights, but if there are two at the front only one can flash. Lights are required at night, of course. Pedal reflectors or reflectorised clothing/straps on the lower leg are also required. This gets ignored a lot.
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Date: 27 Oct 2007 20:07:49
From: nmp
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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frkrygow wrote: > On Oct 27, 1:05 pm, nmp <addr...@is.invalid> wrote: >> Ben C wrote: >> > I thought (based on >> > rumour and conjecture) they were illegal in GB because of the absurd >> > consideration that you are technically riding with no rear light at >> > all for the duration of each blink's off-phase. >> >> Thinking about that, I don't feel it is such an absurd consideration at >> all. Lots of things can happen, and lives have been lost, in the blink >> of an eye. > > Surely you're not serious! Justabit... > Doubtlessly, lives have been lost in the blink of an eye. But I really > doubt any life ever been lost because a motorist saw a cyclist's light > blink, and blink, and blink, and blink... and then suddenly thought "Oh, > it's been dark for half a second. That bicyclist must have vanished!" In some situations, there *might* not be enough time or opportunity to see the blink-blink-blink happening before one hits the cyclist.
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Date: 28 Oct 2007 03:11:43
From: still me
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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On 27 Oct 2007 20:07:49 GMT, nmp <address@is.invalid > wrote: >In some situations, there *might* not be enough time or opportunity to >see the blink-blink-blink happening before one hits the cyclist. Well, the one I posted about was way past "blink" and into "bright white strobe headlight". I think it represented more of a hazard to motorists than it did a safety device to bikers, at least on that dark country road. Not to mention, as the bike's apparent headlight, one has to assume the rider gets an interesting view of the road in front of him. I think it would be a "feature" if it was a small add on light designed to draw some attention beyond that of the usual steady headlight, but as a primary headlight, it was not a good thing.
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Date: 27 Oct 2007 19:46:29
From:
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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On Oct 27, 1:05 pm, nmp <addr...@is.invalid > wrote: > Ben C wrote: > > I thought (based on > > rumour and conjecture) they were illegal in GB because of the absurd > > consideration that you are technically riding with no rear light at all > > for the duration of each blink's off-phase. > > Thinking about that, I don't feel it is such an absurd consideration at > all. Lots of things can happen, and lives have been lost, in the blink of > an eye. Surely you're not serious! Doubtlessly, lives have been lost in the blink of an eye. But I really doubt any life ever been lost because a motorist saw a cyclist's light blink, and blink, and blink, and blink... and then suddenly thought "Oh, it's been dark for half a second. That bicyclist must have vanished!" - Frank Krygowski
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Date: 27 Oct 2007 17:17:35
From: datakoll
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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Another approach: I bought one unknown quantity > http://www.rei.com/product/723347 the unit doesn't flash! Sheeeet. So I set it on and outside, walked back in and looked out thru the slider and it flashed. Yaaahhaaaa! Light flashes switchless as the kayak rises, falls and jiggles thru a jiggle lens. Wanna get the scoop? Search: http://ecatalog.westmarine.com/
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Date: 27 Oct 2007 17:08:03
From: datakoll
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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I saw ONE also. VERY impressive rear red strobe. outstanding survival value for the oncoming drunken SUV. Police cheapo is online at $25-30. Master mechanic suggests strobe bulbs are more delicate than bike lamps or bike LED. >From watching once, considering the police model or two as the colors are optional, is/as standard equipment for cross country touring or HD commuting.
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Date: 27 Oct 2007 17:05:14
From: nmp
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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Ben C wrote: > On 2007-10-27, nmp <address@is.invalid> wrote: [...] >> The purpose of bicycle lights is not to actively attract attention >> (and/ or confusion, distraction, irritation, etc.) The purpose of >> bicycle lights is to make the bicycle *visible* in conditions where it >> would otherwise not be seen. >> >> For this reason it is illegal in many (European) countries to have >> blinking lights on a bicycle. Blinking lights in these countries are >> understood to be indicators or signaling/emergency lights. I think the >> police here (Netherlands) would certainly frown upon stroboscopic >> lights. > > Are you sure that's the reason they're illegal? I thought (based on > rumour and conjecture) they were illegal in GB because of the absurd > consideration that you are technically riding with no rear light at all > for the duration of each blink's off-phase. Thinking about that, I don't feel it is such an absurd consideration at all. Lots of things can happen, and lives have been lost, in the blink of an eye. > I think they've changed the law here and they aren't illegal any more. Irrationality does find its way into legislation sometimes.
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Date: 27 Oct 2007 13:53:14
From: It's Chris
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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Red blinking lights are rarely (at least here in "the States") used as a caution or warning blinker. Road hazards are marked with yellow or amber flashers, Police use blue, Fire uses red but it's always mounted on the top of the truck, and accompanied by a siren. The only time you see a red flasher at road level is for a stopped or slow moving vehicle that may pose a hazard to passing motorists. Since a bicycle is a slow moving vehicle that may pose a hazard, I think it qualifies. - - Compliments of: "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman" If you want to E-mail me use: ChrisZCorner "at" webtv "dot" net My website: http://geocities.com/czcorner
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Date: 27 Oct 2007 16:40:14
From: nmp
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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jim beam wrote: > nmp wrote: >> jim beam wrote: >> >>> still me wrote: >>>> So, I'm driving down a country road last night, and as I come around >>>> a corner a wildly flashing white strobe light accosts me coming the >>>> other way (fortunately on the opposite side of the road). >>>> >>>> My first thought was WTF? Then I realized it was a bicycle >>>> headlight, and my second thought was WTF! >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> but did it attract your attention? or were you too busy trying to >>> calculate your intersection coordinates to stay out of its way? >> >> The purpose of bicycle lights is not to actively attract attention >> (and/ or confusion, distraction, irritation, etc.) The purpose of >> bicycle lights is to make the bicycle *visible* in conditions where it >> would otherwise not be seen. >> >> For this reason it is illegal in many (European) countries to have >> blinking lights on a bicycle. Blinking lights in these countries are >> understood to be indicators or signaling/emergency lights. I think the >> police here (Netherlands) would certainly frown upon stroboscopic >> lights. >> >> > i think the more important question is not about a law dating back from > whenever In the case of the Dutch Voertuigreglement ("vehicle regulations"), that would be 1994 (last updated). > actually standing on the books, but whether your police actually > enforce it. Like police everywhere: when they feel like it. They certainly have the right to do so. > have you experience of this? I was ticketed once for not having lights at all. I know people get ticketed sometimes for having blinkers. But police officers sometimes seem to feel "well at least he has SOMETHING that looks like a light". They will tell you then to push the little button so it stops blinking and starts emitting light continuously. You will be educated on the requirements of the law and then sent off. > what is the habit of local riders? Having normal non-blinking lights is still the norm that most people comply with. New bicycles (roadsters, not race/mountain bikes) will have good functional lights on them almost without exception. OTOH cheap blinkers are no longer rare since you can buy them at almost every supermarket. Many people don't seem to be aware that they are illegal when used in blinking mode. Many of them have unfortunately bought into the silly misconception that blinkers are "better" or "saver". They are not.
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Date: 27 Oct 2007 11:37:09
From: DougC
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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still me wrote: > So, I'm driving down a country road last night, and as I come around a > corner a wildly flashing white strobe light accosts me coming the > other way (fortunately on the opposite side of the road). > > My first thought was WTF? Then I realized it was a bicycle headlight, > and my second thought was WTF! > > Some lights have a setting for this; the Cateye EL-410 is one. Silly me, I always thought that the purpose of a headlight was to, you know, illuminate the roadway ahead of the bicycle, and a strobe effect would have little benefit. In the midwestern US I rarely see people riding with blinking headlights. ~
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Date: 27 Oct 2007 15:21:42
From: nmp
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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jim beam wrote: > still me wrote: >> So, I'm driving down a country road last night, and as I come around a >> corner a wildly flashing white strobe light accosts me coming the other >> way (fortunately on the opposite side of the road). >> >> My first thought was WTF? Then I realized it was a bicycle headlight, >> and my second thought was WTF! >> >> >> > but did it attract your attention? or were you too busy trying to > calculate your intersection coordinates to stay out of its way? The purpose of bicycle lights is not to actively attract attention (and/ or confusion, distraction, irritation, etc.) The purpose of bicycle lights is to make the bicycle *visible* in conditions where it would otherwise not be seen. For this reason it is illegal in many (European) countries to have blinking lights on a bicycle. Blinking lights in these countries are understood to be indicators or signaling/emergency lights. I think the police here (Netherlands) would certainly frown upon stroboscopic lights.
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Date: 27 Oct 2007 11:54:27
From: Ben C
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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On 2007-10-27, nmp <address@is.invalid > wrote: [...] > The purpose of bicycle lights is not to actively attract attention (and/ > or confusion, distraction, irritation, etc.) The purpose of bicycle > lights is to make the bicycle *visible* in conditions where it would > otherwise not be seen. > > For this reason it is illegal in many (European) countries to have > blinking lights on a bicycle. Blinking lights in these countries are > understood to be indicators or signaling/emergency lights. I think the > police here (Netherlands) would certainly frown upon stroboscopic lights. Are you sure that's the reason they're illegal? I thought (based on rumour and conjecture) they were illegal in GB because of the absurd consideration that you are technically riding with no rear light at all for the duration of each blink's off-phase. I think they've changed the law here and they aren't illegal any more.
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Date: 28 Oct 2007 22:29:17
From: _
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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On Sat, 27 Oct 2007 11:54:27 -0500, Ben C wrote: > On 2007-10-27, nmp <address@is.invalid> wrote: > [...] >> The purpose of bicycle lights is not to actively attract attention (and/ >> or confusion, distraction, irritation, etc.) The purpose of bicycle >> lights is to make the bicycle *visible* in conditions where it would >> otherwise not be seen. >> >> For this reason it is illegal in many (European) countries to have >> blinking lights on a bicycle. Blinking lights in these countries are >> understood to be indicators or signaling/emergency lights. I think the >> police here (Netherlands) would certainly frown upon stroboscopic lights. > > Are you sure that's the reason they're illegal? I thought (based on > rumour and conjecture) they were illegal in GB because of the absurd > consideration that you are technically riding with no rear light at all > for the duration of each blink's off-phase. > There's not at all illegal in the UK. What is required is that you DO have a legal set of lights. Extra lights are fine - as long as you also have the legal ones.
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Date: 31 Oct 2007 19:16:44
From: Yannik
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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On 2007-10-27, 15:36 still me wrote: >So, I'm driving down a country road last night, and as I come around a >corner a wildly flashing white strobe light accosts me coming the >other way (fortunately on the opposite side of the road). >My first thought was WTF? Then I realized it was a bicycle headlight, >and my second thought was WTF! I just bought the lightman xenon strobe, in comparison to the LED blinky i have from SIGMA it sucks... It has a white xenon strobe inside, with the clear cover it is very powerful, but it loses most of its power when you put the red cover on it! It is multidirectional but behind the strobe there is a miror that focuses the light forward, wich doenst make it more wide angeled than the sigma LED. The LED flashes rather fast and with almost no time between the flashes, you can look in to it and it captures attention verry well. The strobe flashes once per second, it catches less attention and your eyes can't look in to it, though it is not at all brighter than a LED. Good for emergency strobe, not at all good stuff on a bike! With the clear lens positioned to the front of the bike your eyes will have difficulties due to the extremes between the on and of moments. Then there are the bike mountings, not sturdy and they don't seem to be designed for the strobe, one screw that only just gets in the whole of the lightman and can not fix it as it should. Yannik
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Date: 28 Oct 2007 23:32:51
From: Danny Colyer
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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On 28/10/2007 22:29, _ wrote: > On Sat, 27 Oct 2007 11:54:27 -0500, Ben C wrote: >>On 2007-10-27, nmp <address@is.invalid> wrote: >>>For this reason it is illegal in many (European) countries to have >>>blinking lights on a bicycle. Blinking lights in these countries are >>>understood to be indicators or signaling/emergency lights. I think the >>>police here (Netherlands) would certainly frown upon stroboscopic lights. >> >>Are you sure that's the reason they're illegal? I thought (based on >>rumour and conjecture) they were illegal in GB because of the absurd >>consideration that you are technically riding with no rear light at all >>for the duration of each blink's off-phase. > > There's not at all illegal in the UK. I haven't seen Ben C's or nmp's posts. Perhaps they weren't x-posted to urc. But no, flashing lights are no longer illegal in the UK, even as a primary light: <http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20052559.htm > (FWIW I don't approve of this change in the law. I'm happy for flashing rear lights to be legal, but not flashing front lights nor for any flashing light to be legal without having a steady light alongside it). The flashing rate is limited to 4 flashes per second, presumably to prevent any possibility of a flashing light triggering an epileptic fit. -- Danny Colyer <http://www.redpedals.co.uk > Reply address is valid, but that on my website is checked more often "The plural of anecdote is not data" - Frank Kotsonis
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Date: 29 Oct 2007 16:08:55
From: Coyoteboy
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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Danny Colyer wrote: > On 28/10/2007 22:29, _ wrote: >> On Sat, 27 Oct 2007 11:54:27 -0500, Ben C wrote: >>> On 2007-10-27, nmp <address@is.invalid> wrote: >>>> For this reason it is illegal in many (European) countries to have >>>> blinking lights on a bicycle. Blinking lights in these countries are >>>> understood to be indicators or signaling/emergency lights. I think >>>> the police here (Netherlands) would certainly frown upon >>>> stroboscopic lights. >>> >>> Are you sure that's the reason they're illegal? I thought (based on >>> rumour and conjecture) they were illegal in GB because of the absurd >>> consideration that you are technically riding with no rear light at all >>> for the duration of each blink's off-phase. >> >> There's not at all illegal in the UK. > > I haven't seen Ben C's or nmp's posts. Perhaps they weren't x-posted to > urc. But no, flashing lights are no longer illegal in the UK, even as a > primary light: > <http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20052559.htm> > > (FWIW I don't approve of this change in the law. I'm happy for flashing > rear lights to be legal, but not flashing front lights nor for any > flashing light to be legal without having a steady light alongside it). > > The flashing rate is limited to 4 flashes per second, presumably to > prevent any possibility of a flashing light triggering an epileptic fit. > Must admit I'm a fan of flashing lights even as a sole source. They are so much more noticable, "solid" lights blend in too much!
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Date: 29 Oct 2007 12:22:09
From: Dylan Smith
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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On 2007-10-28, Danny Colyer <danny_colyer@hotmail.com > wrote: > (FWIW I don't approve of this change in the law. I'm happy for flashing > rear lights to be legal, but not flashing front lights nor for any > flashing light to be legal without having a steady light alongside it). I use my main rear light as a flashing light during the day (about 1.5 flashes per second, using six 1 watt Luxeon red LEDs, the purpose being daylight conspicuity - after I was hit from the rear by a driver who claimed not to have seen me at mid day on a straight road). I've looked at lights on other vehicles quite carefully after that incident, and I noticed that the powerful LED rear lights on motorcycles really give the motorbike conspicuity during daylight hours if the motorcyclist has just dabbed the brake. I did consider building the light with a strobe tube, but after looking at the different kinds of lights on motorcycles, I decided powerful LEDs would be fine, and it meant I didn't have 6kV under the saddle. The visibility of bright LEDs coming on is especially so if you're in the sunshine and the motorcyclist is under the trees - it really improves the contrast of the motorcycle and makes it stand out. High-vis jackets don't show up very well in the situation of the car driver in the sunshine and the bike under the trees, it all blends into the shadows. But a bright flasing light does stand out, and what's more, testing my own light on myself, it catches the peripheral vision from at least 50 feet away which is good if the car driver is fiddling with the radio and not watching the road. However, at night, the primary light is set to steady mode. Bright flashing lights, I have found, make it more difficult to correctly judge distance to the bike at night. My secondary light is a much less bright ankle band (where the light is incorporated into a retroreflective band - once the headlight's on it, the retroreflective will look much brighter than the LED anyway, and the reciprocating motion will identify me as being on a bike much more readily than just having a steady rear light). During dusk, I use the flash mode on my front light, since it's more conspicuous. At night, steady only. -- From the sunny Isle of Man. Yes, the Reply-To email address is valid.
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Date: 29 Oct 2007 19:28:11
From: Danny Colyer
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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On 29/10/2007 12:22, Dylan Smith wrote: > During dusk, I use the flash mode on my front light, since it's more > conspicuous. And /really/ unpleasant for anyone riding towards you. -- Danny Colyer <http://www.redpedals.co.uk > Reply address is valid, but that on my website is checked more often "The plural of anecdote is not data" - Frank Kotsonis
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Date: 30 Oct 2007 13:02:04
From: Dylan Smith
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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On 2007-10-29, Danny Colyer <danny_colyer@hotmail.com > wrote: > On 29/10/2007 12:22, Dylan Smith wrote: >> During dusk, I use the flash mode on my front light, since it's more >> conspicuous. > > And /really/ unpleasant for anyone riding towards you. At least they've seen me. But unpleasant? I see other cyclists with blinky lights at dusk, and I've never found them unpleasant, or indeed any other emotion-response other than well, they at least stand out at junctions instead of merging into the incredibly bright background of the car with its headlights immediately behind. -- From the sunny Isle of Man. Yes, the Reply-To email address is valid.
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Date: 30 Oct 2007 13:43:44
From: Paul Boyd
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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Dylan Smith said the following on 30/10/2007 13:02: > But unpleasant? I see other cyclists with blinky lights at dusk, and > I've never found them unpleasant, or indeed any other emotion-response > other than well, they at least stand out at junctions instead of > merging into the incredibly bright background of the car with its > headlights immediately behind. If you're on a nice street-lit road with lots of ambient light from car headlights, then they're not really a problem. When you're on a pitch black cycle path with absolutely no lighting, they're a pain in the arse. As Danny said earlier, your eyes can't adjust to the constantly changing light levels, and it can actually be quite hard to focus on it and thereby work out exactly where the light is. Also, I don't suffer from epilepsy, but I do get ophthalmic migraine occasionally. One of the triggers under certain conditions is bright flashes of light... -- Paul Boyd http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/
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Date: 29 Oct 2007 07:07:23
From: mb
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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> >>On 2007-10-27, nmp <address@is.invalid> wrote: > > > > For this reason it is illegal in many (European) countries to > > > > have blinking lights on a bicycle. Blinking lights in these > > > > countries are understood to be indicators or > > > > signaling/emergency lights. I think the police here > > > > (Netherlands) would certainly frown upon stroboscopic lights. > > > Don't know if they're illegal here (in NL), but I do see a fair few cycles with them and they are on sale via the usual places. The police also check on cycle lights during the winter months. -- Mike Van Tuyl titanium Dura ace 10 Fausto Coppi aluminium Ultegra 10 Raleigh Record sprint mongrel Huissoon project bike (in bits, natch)
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Date: 29 Oct 2007 06:13:56
From: Ben C
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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On 2007-10-28, Danny Colyer <danny_colyer@hotmail.com > wrote: > On 28/10/2007 22:29, _ wrote: >> On Sat, 27 Oct 2007 11:54:27 -0500, Ben C wrote: >>>On 2007-10-27, nmp <address@is.invalid> wrote: >>>>For this reason it is illegal in many (European) countries to have >>>>blinking lights on a bicycle. Blinking lights in these countries are >>>>understood to be indicators or signaling/emergency lights. I think the >>>>police here (Netherlands) would certainly frown upon stroboscopic lights. >>> >>>Are you sure that's the reason they're illegal? I thought (based on >>>rumour and conjecture) they were illegal in GB because of the absurd >>>consideration that you are technically riding with no rear light at all >>>for the duration of each blink's off-phase. >> >> There's not at all illegal in the UK. > > I haven't seen Ben C's or nmp's posts. Perhaps they weren't x-posted to > urc. But no, flashing lights are no longer illegal in the UK, even as a > primary light: ><http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20052559.htm> > > (FWIW I don't approve of this change in the law. I'm happy for flashing > rear lights to be legal, but not flashing front lights nor for any > flashing light to be legal without having a steady light alongside it). > > The flashing rate is limited to 4 flashes per second, presumably to > prevent any possibility of a flashing light triggering an epileptic fit. Yes, I think about 11Hz is very bad for that. I don't set my front LED light to flashing because it gives _me_ a headache.
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Date: 29 Oct 2007 07:50:45
From: Paul Boyd
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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Danny Colyer said the following on 28/10/2007 23:32: > I haven't seen Ben C's or nmp's posts. Perhaps they weren't x-posted to > urc. But no, flashing lights are no longer illegal in the UK, even as a > primary light: > <http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20052559.htm> > > (FWIW I don't approve of this change in the law. I'm happy for flashing > rear lights to be legal, but not flashing front lights nor for any > flashing light to be legal without having a steady light alongside it). I knew flashing lights were now legal, but I didn't realise that they were allowed to be the only light - I thought they had to be used in conjunction with "legal" lights. I'm not happy with that either, especially as a lot of the flashing front lights I see (usually attached to POBSOs) are a vaguely flickering dim orange glow. A candle in a jar would give more light! -- Paul Boyd http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/
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Date: 29 Oct 2007 19:27:37
From: Danny Colyer
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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On 29/10/2007 07:50, Paul Boyd wrote: > ... a lot of the flashing front lights I see (usually attached > to POBSOs) are a vaguely flickering dim orange glow. A lot of the ones I see these days, particularly at dusk (like this evening's commute) are dazzlingly bright (not generally bright enough to be a problem if they gave a steady light, but impossible to adjust to when they keep flashing) and extremely unpleasant to ride towards. I usually turn off my 20W Lumicycle (my most powerful front light) when I meet someone coming the other way. I think it might be better not to bother when I meet someone with one of these bright flashers - I need to keep the path well lit in front of me when they're varying the light levels so much. Given that there's no street lighting for most of my commute, it must be difficult for the riders to see the path/road ahead properly when the light they choose to cast ahead of them keeps disappearing. -- Danny Colyer <http://www.redpedals.co.uk > Reply address is valid, but that on my website is checked more often "The plural of anecdote is not data" - Frank Kotsonis
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Date: 29 Oct 2007 10:42:12
From:
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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On Mon, 29 Oct 2007 07:50:45 +0000, Paul Boyd <usenet.is.worse@plusnet > wrote: >Danny Colyer said the following on 28/10/2007 23:32: > >> I haven't seen Ben C's or nmp's posts. Perhaps they weren't x-posted to >> urc. But no, flashing lights are no longer illegal in the UK, even as a >> primary light: >> <http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20052559.htm> >> >> (FWIW I don't approve of this change in the law. I'm happy for flashing >> rear lights to be legal, but not flashing front lights nor for any >> flashing light to be legal without having a steady light alongside it). > >I knew flashing lights were now legal, but I didn't realise that they >were allowed to be the only light - I thought they had to be used in >conjunction with "legal" lights. I'm not happy with that either, >especially as a lot of the flashing front lights I see (usually attached >to POBSOs) are a vaguely flickering dim orange glow. A candle in a jar >would give more light! Dear Paul, Fireflies in whisky bottles and candles in paper Chinese lanterns were once acceptable in the colonies: http://groups.google.com/group/rec.bicycles.tech/browse_thread/thread/d0606ce5d0738201/eec5bf40dc0cb52c?#eec5bf40dc0cb52c Cheers, Carl Fogel
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Date: 29 Oct 2007 16:30:52
From: Martin Dann
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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Paul Boyd wrote: > Danny Colyer said the following on 28/10/2007 23:32: > >> I haven't seen Ben C's or nmp's posts. Perhaps they weren't x-posted >> to urc. But no, flashing lights are no longer illegal in the UK, even >> as a primary light: >> <http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20052559.htm> >> >> (FWIW I don't approve of this change in the law. I'm happy for >> flashing rear lights to be legal, but not flashing front lights nor >> for any flashing light to be legal without having a steady light >> alongside it). > > I knew flashing lights were now legal, but I didn't realise that they > were allowed to be the only light - I thought they had to be used in > conjunction with "legal" lights. I'm not happy with that either, > especially as a lot of the flashing front lights I see (usually attached > to POBSOs) are a vaguely flickering dim orange glow. A candle in a jar > would give more light! A flashing lit used as a primary must have an intensity of at least four candelas. They must also have a steady on-off pattern, no Morse code or knight rider effects. I always use a flashing lit in conjunction with a steady lit.
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Date: 27 Oct 2007 13:03:51
From: A Muzi
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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> On 2007-10-27, nmp <address@is.invalid> wrote: > [...] >> The purpose of bicycle lights is not to actively attract attention (and/ >> or confusion, distraction, irritation, etc.) The purpose of bicycle >> lights is to make the bicycle *visible* in conditions where it would >> otherwise not be seen. >> For this reason it is illegal in many (European) countries to have >> blinking lights on a bicycle. Blinking lights in these countries are >> understood to be indicators or signaling/emergency lights. I think the >> police here (Netherlands) would certainly frown upon stroboscopic lights. Ben C wrote: > Are you sure that's the reason they're illegal? I thought (based on > rumour and conjecture) they were illegal in GB because of the absurd > consideration that you are technically riding with no rear light at all > for the duration of each blink's off-phase. > I think they've changed the law here and they aren't illegal any more. Hmm that's a novel analysis. My Japanese sources say red flashers are reserved for emergency vehicles, hence no bike flashers there. A quick reading of US statutes might make that a grey area here, too. In practice, cops seem to find other activities to fill a shift besides writing cyclists for the 'wrong' kind of bike light. -- Andrew Muzi www.yellowjersey.org Open every day since 1 April, 1971
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Date: 30 Oct 2007 06:09:13
From: Pikachu
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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In article <13i6v94gcmp9990@corp.supernews.com >, A Muzi <am@yellowjersey.org > wrote: > > On 2007-10-27, nmp <address@is.invalid> wrote: > > [...] > >> The purpose of bicycle lights is not to actively attract attention (and/ > >> or confusion, distraction, irritation, etc.) The purpose of bicycle > >> lights is to make the bicycle *visible* in conditions where it would > >> otherwise not be seen. > >> For this reason it is illegal in many (European) countries to have > >> blinking lights on a bicycle. Blinking lights in these countries are > >> understood to be indicators or signaling/emergency lights. I think the > >> police here (Netherlands) would certainly frown upon stroboscopic lights. > > Ben C wrote: > > Are you sure that's the reason they're illegal? I thought (based on > > rumour and conjecture) they were illegal in GB because of the absurd > > consideration that you are technically riding with no rear light at all > > for the duration of each blink's off-phase. > > I think they've changed the law here and they aren't illegal any more. > > Hmm that's a novel analysis. > My Japanese sources say red flashers are reserved for emergency > vehicles, hence no bike flashers there. A quick reading of US statutes > might make that a grey area here, too. In practice, cops seem to find > other activities to fill a shift besides writing cyclists for the > 'wrong' kind of bike light. Seeing that a lot of cars sold in the US have red (vs. amber) turn signals that also act as hazard lights as required, I doubt that there are specific laws against red blinkers or flashers. Pikachu
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Date: 30 Oct 2007 13:47:13
From: A Muzi
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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>>> nmp <address@is.invalid> wrote: >>> [...] >>>> The purpose of bicycle lights is not to actively attract attention (and/ >>>> or confusion, distraction, irritation, etc.) The purpose of bicycle >>>> lights is to make the bicycle *visible* in conditions where it would >>>> otherwise not be seen. >>>> For this reason it is illegal in many (European) countries to have >>>> blinking lights on a bicycle. Blinking lights in these countries are >>>> understood to be indicators or signaling/emergency lights. I think the >>>> police here (Netherlands) would certainly frown upon stroboscopic lights. >> Ben C wrote: >>> Are you sure that's the reason they're illegal? I thought (based on >>> rumour and conjecture) they were illegal in GB because of the absurd >>> consideration that you are technically riding with no rear light at all >>> for the duration of each blink's off-phase. >>> I think they've changed the law here and they aren't illegal any more. > A Muzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote: >> Hmm that's a novel analysis. >> My Japanese sources say red flashers are reserved for emergency >> vehicles, hence no bike flashers there. A quick reading of US statutes >> might make that a grey area here, too. In practice, cops seem to find >> other activities to fill a shift besides writing cyclists for the >> 'wrong' kind of bike light. Pikachu wrote: > Seeing that a lot of cars sold in the US have red (vs. amber) turn > signals that also act as hazard lights as required, I doubt that there > are specific laws against red blinkers or flashers. WIS Statutes 347.07: .. no person shall operate any vehicle or equipment...(a) any color of light visible from the front except white or amber (b) any color of light other than red in the rear, or (c) any flashing light as I said, a grey area. The first 'blinkies' were developed for bicycles by Alex Pong somewhere around 1990 and statutes have a necessary lag time behind technology. I believe, even if they are specifically illegal, your average cop has other more pressing issues than writing cyclists for the 'wrong' kind of light. For example the bulk of cyclists here have no lights whatsoever. -- Andrew Muzi www.yellowjersey.org Open every day since 1 April, 1971
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Date: 30 Oct 2007 17:45:17
From: Larry
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:47:13 -0600, A Muzi <am@yellowjersey.org > wrote: WIS Statutes 347.07: >.. no person shall operate any vehicle or equipment...(a) any color of >light visible from the front except white or amber (b) any color of >light other than red in the rear, or (c) any flashing light > That's interesting... How severe was the snippage? This would make common turn signals illegal (flashing light) and the common amber turn signal doubly so (flashing and not red in the rear). -- When trying to contact me, be polite. Rudeness will not get you anywhere. Larry
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Date: 30 Oct 2007 19:36:13
From: A Muzi
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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> A Muzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote: > WIS Statutes 347.07: >> .. no person shall operate any vehicle or equipment...(a) any color of >> light visible from the front except white or amber (b) any color of >> light other than red in the rear, or (c) any flashing light Larry wrote: > That's interesting... How severe was the snippage? This would make > common turn signals illegal (flashing light) and the common amber turn > signal doubly so (flashing and not red in the rear). Take a peek: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/statutes/Stat0347.pdf Most US state statutes are similar -- Andrew Muzi www.yellowjersey.org Open every day since 1 April, 1971
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Date: 27 Oct 2007 19:26:06
From: =?windows-1252?Q?SMS_=3F=3F=3F=95_=3F?=
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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A Muzi wrote: > My Japanese sources say red flashers are reserved for emergency > vehicles, hence no bike flashers there. A quick reading of US statutes > might make that a grey area here, too. In practice, cops seem to find > other activities to fill a shift besides writing cyclists for the > 'wrong' kind of bike light. It's a gray area. Flashing yellow lights are legal for warning about "slow moving vehicles." Flashing red lights are legal in some states for bicycles. I find the flashing white lights on the front of bicycles to be mildly annoying, but very visible.
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Date: 27 Oct 2007 09:34:32
From: me
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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"nmp" <address@is.invalid > wrote in message news:47235786$0$232$e4fe514c@news.xs4all.nl... (snip) > > The purpose of bicycle lights is not to actively attract attention (and/ > or confusion, distraction, irritation, etc.) The purpose of bicycle > lights is to make the bicycle *visible* in conditions where it would > otherwise not be seen. > (snip) What's the difference between attracting attention and making something visible? Seems to me that if a bike light reaches the level of being consciously perceived it has done both. Anything that makes a cyclist sharing the roadways with motorized vehicles more immediately perceptible among the cacophony of distractions many drivers choose to surround themselves with these days is a good thing. Personally, I WANT to successfully compete for drivers' attention with their in-car TVs, cell-phones, food items they are stuffing themselves with as they drive, fighting kids in the back seat, etc. So, I wear bright clothing, put reflective items on the bike and myself, run a red strobe as well as blinking LEDs on the back, have two CCF light tubes on the seat stays, and use a powerful dual-beam headlight. People I know who happen to pass me in their cars tell me later, "I saw you on the way to work today." That's exactly what I want - to be easily seen. Use your faint steady lights if you choose to, but you probably won't have a chance to change your mind if you get hit. The purpose of bicycle lights is to keep you alive. BTW, the state patrol officers who regularly pass me on the highway NEVER bother me about my lights. They understand what I'm trying to do. They know how inattentive many drivers are. Cal
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Date: 27 Oct 2007 08:38:07
From: jim beam
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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nmp wrote: > jim beam wrote: > >> still me wrote: >>> So, I'm driving down a country road last night, and as I come around a >>> corner a wildly flashing white strobe light accosts me coming the other >>> way (fortunately on the opposite side of the road). >>> >>> My first thought was WTF? Then I realized it was a bicycle headlight, >>> and my second thought was WTF! >>> >>> >>> >> but did it attract your attention? or were you too busy trying to >> calculate your intersection coordinates to stay out of its way? > > The purpose of bicycle lights is not to actively attract attention (and/ > or confusion, distraction, irritation, etc.) The purpose of bicycle > lights is to make the bicycle *visible* in conditions where it would > otherwise not be seen. > > For this reason it is illegal in many (European) countries to have > blinking lights on a bicycle. Blinking lights in these countries are > understood to be indicators or signaling/emergency lights. I think the > police here (Netherlands) would certainly frown upon stroboscopic lights. > i think the more important question is not about a law dating back from whenever actually standing on the books, but whether your police actually enforce it. have you experience of this? what is the habit of local riders?
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Date: 27 Oct 2007 07:54:19
From: jim beam
Subject: Re: Strobe lights ?
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still me wrote: > So, I'm driving down a country road last night, and as I come around a > corner a wildly flashing white strobe light accosts me coming the > other way (fortunately on the opposite side of the road). > > My first thought was WTF? Then I realized it was a bicycle headlight, > and my second thought was WTF! > > but did it attract your attention? or were you too busy trying to calculate your intersection coordinates to stay out of its way?
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