Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on December 31, 2011 at 7:46am

Some of my favorite cycling myths:

Flashing lights are safer than solid lights.

Having rear lights strapped to you backpack is as good as a seatpost, rack, fender mounted light.

Lightweight frames, parts, components, shoes, etc. will make you ride significantly faster.

Frame material contributes to ride characteristics more than frame design.

Counter-steering doesn't happen on bikes.

Fatter tires are slower.

New bikes are better than old bikes.

Fenders and racks make you slower.

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Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on December 31, 2011 at 8:02am

So flashing lights aren't "safer" than solid lights?  Proof?

I thought it was obvious they are better at grabbing people's attention than just a solid light.

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Permalink Reply by Craig S. on December 31, 2011 at 8:26am

A while back, there was a "study" posted that proved drivers are drawn to flashing lights the way bugs are drawn to a bug zapper, therefore, making flashies less safe than a steady rear light.  It was quite dumb as it asserts that humans have no mind of their own and I'm sure if you're really interested you could find it in the archives.  I found a way to pay that particular study no credence so perhaps I'm the dumb one here.

I'm not too sure many of the myths listed by Kelvin are indeed "myths."

Brendan said:

So flashing lights aren't "safer" than solid lights?  Proof?

I thought it was obvious they are better at grabbing people's attention than just a solid light.

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Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on December 31, 2011 at 8:37am

Yeah...

Craig S. said:

I'm not too sure many of the myths listed by Kelvin are indeed "myths."

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Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on December 31, 2011 at 8:43am

Video number one.

Detroit "bike" city? Ironic that they are shown riding and hanging out on the riverwalk which was built mostly by GM.

No way in H*ll I'm riding my bike on the East side of Detroit, and I don't know where that girl goes or how she has time and money to ride from Downtown Detroit to Pontiac (28 Miles) with a 45 pound old school boom box.

The city is empty so biking is easy but unless you work at the Hospital, GM or Wayne State you can't use a bike for transport anywhere else.

I tried.

It's like riding Western ave. during rush hour or Lake street after dark, either way it's scary.

It's good to give the kids something to do but still w/out real jobs? or means of getting 15-20 miles to it.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on December 31, 2011 at 8:52am

Imagine two cyclists riding side by side, one has a blinking tail light, one with a steady rear light. How does a flashing light make one rider more safe?

Have you ever been suprised by a cyclist with a steady tail light? Like "whoa! if only that light would have been flashing, I would have seen the cyclist faster!" -  I doubt it.

Ever ridden behind someone with a PB Superflash and been blinded by the seizure-indusing flashing pattern?

Ever been blinded by someone one the LFP with a flashing Magicshine (or equivalent) coming in the opposite direction?

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on December 31, 2011 at 8:53am

Care to debunk the others?

Craig S. said:

I'm not too sure many of the myths listed by Kelvin are indeed "myths."

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Permalink Reply by Minh on December 31, 2011 at 12:02pm

From a study:

Brake Light Flashers

The human eye recognizes dynamic flashing lights more quickly than it recognizes static solid lights. To that end, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (www.msf-usa.org) suggests that you pump your brakes each time you stop, therefore increasing the visibility of your motorcycle to drivers behind you.

Additionally, The Hurt Study tells us:

The failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents. The driver of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision.

So, it's important to add visibility to the back of your motorcycle, especially while braking, and one of the best ways to do so is to flash your brake lights.

But, who is going to remember to do that? Thankfully, you don't have to. Motorcycle brake light flashers are modules that are installed into a motorcycle's brake light system and flash the brake light automatically when the brake is applied.

Motorcycle tail light flashers are legal in all 50 states and Canada, however in several states they are restricted to certain flashing patterns. Check out state specific motorcycle laws.

Where did you get your information Kelvin?

Kelvin Mulcky said:

Imagine two cyclists riding side by side, one has a blinking tail light, one with a steady rear light. How does a flashing light make one rider more safe?

Have you ever been suprised by a cyclist with a steady tail light? Like "whoa! if only that light would have been flashing, I would have seen the cyclist faster!" -  I doubt it.

Ever ridden behind someone with a PB Superflash and been blinded by the seizure-indusing flashing pattern?

Ever been blinded by someone one the LFP with a flashing Magicshine (or equivalent) coming in the opposite direction?

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Permalink Reply by Brendan Kevenides on January 2, 2012 at 3:19am

+1  http://www.mybikeadvocate.com/2011/06/should-you-flash-motorists-mo...

h' said:

It gets much dumber than that. The "study" (which was longitudinal/correlative, not experimental)  had to do specifically with flashing lights on top of stopped emergency vehicles, which is a completely different universe than a flashing red blinkie or 3 on the back of a bike or cyclist.

That said, I think we're doomed to see this one perpetuated for the rest of time.

Craig S. said:

A while back, there was a "study" posted that proved drivers are drawn to flashing lights the way bugs are drawn to a bug zapper, therefore, making flashies less safe than a steady rear light.  It was quite dumb as it asserts that humans have no mind of their own and I'm sure if you're really interested you could find it in the archives.  I found a way to pay that particular study no credence so perhaps I'm the dumb one here.

I'm not too sure many of the myths listed by Kelvin are indeed "myths."

Brendan said:

So flashing lights aren't "safer" than solid lights?  Proof?

I thought it was obvious they are better at grabbing people's attention than just a solid light.

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Permalink Reply by Craig S. on January 2, 2012 at 5:24am

Why should I bother?  

Some of your myths are rooted in personal opinion.  

Some of your myths are rooted in a sort of physical fantasy world and when a qualifier word, such as "significant" is utilized, that fantasy myth can be proven as reality.

Kelvin Mulcky said:

Care to debunk the others?

Craig S. said:

I'm not too sure many of the myths listed by Kelvin are indeed "myths."

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Permalink Reply by ilter on January 2, 2012 at 5:25am

Minh, was there any info on the speed of flashing ? There is a big difference IMHO between blinking rate of car flashers for instance and that of a planet bike superflash in blinking mode. To me the first is tolerable where the latter is hypnotising.

Minh said:

From a study:

Brake Light Flashers

The human eye recognizes dynamic flashing lights more quickly than it recognizes static solid lights. To that end, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (www.msf-usa.org) suggests that you pump your brakes each time you stop, therefore increasing the visibility of your motorcycle to drivers behind you.

Additionally, The Hurt Study tells us:

The failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents. The driver of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision.

So, it's important to add visibility to the back of your motorcycle, especially while braking, and one of the best ways to do so is to flash your brake lights.

But, who is going to remember to do that? Thankfully, you don't have to. Motorcycle brake light flashers are modules that are installed into a motorcycle's brake light system and flash the brake light automatically when the brake is applied.

Motorcycle tail light flashers are legal in all 50 states and Canada, however in several states they are restricted to certain flashing patterns. Check out state specific motorcycle laws.

Where did you get your information Kelvin?

Kelvin Mulcky said:

Imagine two cyclists riding side by side, one has a blinking tail light, one with a steady rear light. How does a flashing light make one rider more safe?

Have you ever been suprised by a cyclist with a steady tail light? Like "whoa! if only that light would have been flashing, I would have seen the cyclist faster!" -  I doubt it.

Ever ridden behind someone with a PB Superflash and been blinded by the seizure-indusing flashing pattern?

Ever been blinded by someone one the LFP with a flashing Magicshine (or equivalent) coming in the opposite direction?

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Permalink Reply by mike w. on January 2, 2012 at 6:33am

i wasn't going to pile on to the flashing light contraversy but to make this personal note: i have gone both ways on this. IIRC, RUSA rules call for at least one steady red tail light. i think this is law in Europe- no flashers.

In a group, the flash can be quite distracting, so steady makes sense to me there.

When i'm out in traffic in twilight conditions i use the flash (Superflash  1W.)

In full dark, i go with the steady because i feel that at a distance it looks more a car or motorcycle than a traffic barrier light.

i usually use two tailights- one on each seatstay, and when i carry it, a couple on my backpack.

i also use reflective tape on the mudguards.

 

i also feel that you especially need to be more visible in twilight.

 

So far, both methods are working well. Drivers seem to notice me okay -so far.

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