The Chainlink

Lights on bicycles.

http://www.policedriving.com/article145.htm is being discussed on
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.bicycles.tech/browse_frm/thread/...
about on road use of various color and flashing modes of lights.

Basically, their suggestion is to use steady white lights in front, steady red light in rear, with blinking amber lights moving to the direction to pass.  Blinking red lights tend to draw drivers to you.  More than one set of blinking lights leads to confusion, and recommends just one set of lights at each direction of approach.


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Permalink Reply by Dave Jacque on March 24, 2010 at 8:51am
In the motorcycle world, it's called "target fixation." You tend to steer right into whatever you're looking at -- so what the safety classes teach is to look *away* from that car coming into your lane and *toward* your escape route. (Easier said than done!) So I can see where a blinky light -- which attracts more attention than a steady light -- might actually be counterproductive.

H3N3 said:
I see, thanks. I think the first link is the one I excerpted.
I saw that too but I am having a hard time relating a huge mess of confusing, blinding lights to the effect of a flashing vs. constant red tail light. Would be interested in anything else in support of the oft-heard concept that putting your rear lights in blink mode makes drivers more likely to drive towards you.
Permalink Reply by Spencer "Thunderball" Thayer! on March 24, 2010 at 9:25am
On my Cannondale I roll with just a front and back set of Monkey Electrics both flashing red and white. And I have noticed a vast improvement in my visibility. I have been stopped by drivers telling me that they could see me blocks away but it wasn't "annoying." Seriously, that happens all the time. So if you get a set for the back and front you'll be seen, but the trade off is at least every other day talking to someone from a car window about your lights.

On a slightly related note, Todd can back me on this, if you're out on a Bike Copwatch patrol we make it a requirement that our members are street legal. Meaning visible front and back lighting. I am pretty sure only the front is required by law, but the cops in the city seem to think you need both. They have ticketed us for very minor bike infractions on numerous occasions. And even when I am alone doing my own thing in my hood, and a battery dies or something, I am almost always pulled over by cops for not having the proper lighting.
Permalink Reply by Ali on March 24, 2010 at 10:04am
So wait, you harass cops, and make them uncomfortable, in return they harass you...I really don't see a problem with this...

-Ali

Spencer "Thunderball" Thayer! said:
On my Cannondale I roll with just a front and back set of Monkey Electrics both flashing red and white. And I have noticed a vast improvement in my visibility. I have been stopped by drivers telling me that they could see me blocks away but it wasn't "annoying." Seriously, that happens all the time. So if you get a set for the back and front you'll be seen, but the trade off is at least every other day talking to someone from a car window about your lights.

On a slightly related note, Todd can back me on this, if you're out on a Bike Copwatch patrol we make it a requirement that our members are street legal. Meaning visible front and back lighting. I am pretty sure only the front is required by law, but the cops in the city seem to think you need both. They have ticketed us for very minor bike infractions on numerous occasions. And even when I am alone doing my own thing in my hood, and a battery dies or something, I am almost always pulled over by cops for not having the proper lighting.
Permalink Reply by dan brown on March 24, 2010 at 10:06am
great thread.

I've used all sorts of lights over the years.

I had this one (a red strobe light) until it broke last year :

http://www.swps.com/ligemstrobki.html
Permalink Reply by Spencer "Thunderball" Thayer! on March 24, 2010 at 10:11am
So wait, you harass cops, and make them uncomfortable, in return they harass you...I really don't see a problem with this...

I didn't say I had a problem with it either, it's to be expected.
Permalink Reply by cutifly on March 24, 2010 at 12:10pm
What is really funny is some people who look at me all snotty cause I am not wearing a helmet but then they are driving at Night without lights and I am. Guess who is gonna get pancaked first.
Permalink Reply by Jack on March 24, 2010 at 2:51pm
I don't look at non-helmet riders snotty, but if someone gets pancaked in a car, they have some steel to soften the blow. The biker...eh...not so much. Not to get all preachy, but it is wise to wear a helmet, even if only after daylight goes by the wayside.

Just my 2 cents.


cutifly said:
What is really funny is some people who look at me all snotty cause I am not wearing a helmet but then they are driving at Night without lights and I am. Guess who is gonna get pancaked first.
Permalink Reply by Spencer "Thunderball" Thayer! on March 24, 2010 at 3:15pm
I have been biking exclusively for about 18 years and I have worn a helmet maybe five times. The primary reason was that I could never find one that felt comfortable and didn't make me look like a goon. But all that changed about two weeks ago. I finally found a helmet that fit all the aesthetic, tactile and weight requirements. http://www.bernunlimited.com/2008/brentwood.html

Now I just have to get used to wearing it...
Permalink Reply by John S. on March 24, 2010 at 9:21pm
My first thought was to reply that flashing red lights like my Planet Bike Super Flash would be the safest as they could be seen from far away. After reading the article you referenced on the PoliceDriving.com website, I'm not so sure. A flashing red light just might draw the motorist towards you rather than warn them to stay away from you. I'm seriously rethinking my habit of riding with the light in flashing mode. I'm also considering getting a second light (one on each seat stay) to give a greater visual width to the bike at night. I saw this idea listed elsewhere in this thread and think it's worthwhile to give it a shot.

While this article was referring to the dangers faced by officers while stopped at the side of the road, I believe it also could apply to cyclists as well.

Kristian mentioned a light that I've been looking at, an Ixon IQ Speed from Germany. This light uses the same type of reflector technology used in car headlights. It puts the light on the road as opposed to shining it up into the trees. Check out Peter White Cycles and their excellent lighting page. At present I'm torn between building my own LED lighting or getting one of the Ixon IQ Speed setups. I'm leaning towards the Ixon system because many of the light systems sold today will blind oncoming drivers and the Ixon won't.
Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on March 24, 2010 at 10:26pm
I'm not convinced that a flashhing red light will cause drivers to drive towards you.
The mention in this police article is anecdotal, and while it certainly provides a few interesting tidbits it's hardly a scholarly work. It's kind of a stretch that experience with police emergency lights could be generalized to a helmet blinky for one, and additionally there could be many reasons that police emergency lights may have increased crashes (most obvious example-- cops may have been more likely to position their cars stupidly believing the emergency lights would prevent crashes).
I have only heard mention of the "moth" phenomenon in conversation-- would be interested in any references to actual studies.

The reason we use the flash mode is because we don't want to find our batteries are weak or dead every third or fourth evening ride. I'd need a lot of convincing to believe that flash or chase mode is more dangerous than having more frequent "dim" rides.

John S. said:
My first thought was to reply that flashing red lights like my Planet Bike Super Flash would be the safest as they could be seen from far away. After reading the article you referenced on the PoliceDriving.com website, I'm not so sure. A flashing red light just might draw the motorist towards you rather than warn them to stay away from you. I'm seriously rethinking my habit of riding with the light in flashing mode. I'm also considering getting a second light (one on each seat stay) to give a greater visual width to the bike at night. I saw this idea listed elsewhere in this thread and think it's worthwhile to give it a shot.
While this article was referring to the dangers faced by officers while stopped at the side of the road, I believe it also could apply to cyclists as well.
Kristian mentioned a light that I've been looking at, an Ixon IQ Speed from Germany. This light uses the same type of reflector technology used in car headlights. It puts the light on the road as opposed to shining it up into the trees. Check out Peter White Cycles and their excellent lighting page. At present I'm torn between building my own LED lighting or getting one of the Ixon IQ Speed setups. I'm leaning towards the Ixon system because many of the light systems sold today will blind oncoming drivers and the Ixon won't.
Permalink Reply by heather s on March 24, 2010 at 11:57pm
I didn't fully read through the referenced articles, just a quick scan... but to me it seems that the effect of people running into cop cars with flashing red lights is not a 'moth effect' problem, but a rubbernecking problem. Cop busts are just more interesting than bikes are, and everyone wants to look when someone is getting pulled over or arrested.

Anecdotally, I find that drivers give me more space when I have lights, and I feel that they're more likely to yield. In my mind, this is because I have behaved responsibly and thus they are treating me like a responsible road user... of course, I don't know what's going through their minds and as long as they don't hit me I don't care that much.

Also, this thread is the very first time I have ever heard of amber lights. I thought we were expected to have white in front, red in back.
Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on March 25, 2010 at 1:24am
Accessed via chicagobikes.org:

Chicago

1 search results from the Municipal Code of Chicago ordered by score.

9-52-080- Head lamps, reflectors and brakes - Permalink

(a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a head lamp which shall emit a white light visible from a minimum distance of 500 feet from the front and with a rear red reflector capable of reflecting the head lamp beams of an approaching motor vehicle back to the operator of such vehicle at distances up to 200 feet or a rear lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of at least 200 feet from the rear.

(b) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake that will enable the operator to make the braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634

Illinois

1 search results from the Illinois Compiled Statutes ordered by score.

11-15-1507- Lamps and other equipment on bicycles - Permalink

(a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the Department which shall be visible from all distances from 100 feet to 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector. (b) A bicycle shall not be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a bicycle any siren. This subsection (b) does not apply to a bicycle that is a police vehicle or fire department vehicle. (c) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will adequately control movement of and stop and hold such bicycle. (d) No person shall sell a new bicycle or pedal for use on a bicycle that is not equipped with a reflex reflector conforming to specifications prescribed by the Department, on each pedal, visible from the front and rear of the bicycle during darkness from a distance of 200 feet. (e) No person shall sell or offer for sale a new bicycle that is not equipped with side reflectors. Such reflectors shall be visible from each side of the bicycle from a distance of 500 feet and shall be essentially colorless or red to the rear of the center of the bicycle and essentially colorless or amber to the front of the center of the bicycle provided. The requirements of this paragraph may be met by reflective materials which shall be at least 3/16 of an inch wide on each side of each tire or rim to indicate as clearly as possible the continuous circular shape and size of the tires or rims of such bicycle and which reflective materials may be of the same color on both the front and rear tire or rim. Such reflectors shall conform to specifications prescribed by the Department. (f) No person shall sell or offer for sale a new bicycle that is not equipped with an essentially colorless front‑facing reflector.

P.A. 95‑28, eff. 8‑7‑07

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