Bike Lights

[Nate]

I want to start riding my bike again to/from work but I tend to finish late some days so need to get some lights. Do any of you guys use lights on your bikes? Any you can recommend? Are they specific to certain bikes? I ride a Specialized Hard Rock Pro( 07 iirc)

Thanks in advance!

 

[TdC]

you're in the UK aye? get lots of lights, and a fluorescent vest

lights aren't bike specific, though they sometimes can be fiddley to mount. Most lights I know of are fixed to the seatpost and handlebars, with some lights going on the stem.

choice of light depends on what you need: do you need "see me" lights, eg other road users see you, or do you need lights to see the road with?

 

[Tom]

I don't know about front lights, I use a cheapo LED thing for my road bike combined with a headtorch on my helmet. On my mtb I use a Hope Vision 2, probably a bit too expensive for your budget.

Rear light - you cannot get better than this for the price. Trust me, if you look at it you'll go blind. I have three of them.

Smart Superflash 0.5W Nichia LED Rear Light: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Leisure

 

[Wazzerphuk]

Get a light that's always on, not constantly flickering. Such a shit idea, well done - I can only see you HALF THE TIME.

 

[gremlin]

Get a light that's always on, not constantly flickering. Such a shit idea, well done - I can only see you HALF THE TIME.

I think the point is you've noticed something due to the flashing, rather than possibly missing a static light in your peripheral vision (for instance).

 

[Wazzerphuk]

But when you're quickly checking road exits/entrances it's a flash of the eyes, meaning there's a very good chance you'll look when the light isn't on.

I thought they made the blinking/flashing lights illegal because of this and their ability to distract?

 

[Rubber Bullets]

Pretty much all of the flashing lights I've seen have been fast enough to make it impossible to look towards them and away again between flashes. They are all faster that car indicators for instance and I've never heard of a problem with anyone not noticing a that car was about to turn because they look at it and away too quickly.

As far as I remember any LED based light is illegal to be attached to a bike and it's only source of light, but this was only due to some arcane law that states that bikes must be fitted with filament bulbs after dark. That's just my recollection though, this may, and certainly should, have been changed as LEDs are far more efficient than old fashioned bulbs.

It is also not illegal to mount flashing lights about your person, and some riders do have red flashing lights on the back of their helmets. As far as I'm concerned I am happy for them to wear anything that helps me to see them, and would certainly wear it myself if I ever get back on my bike.

RB

 

[Embattle]

But when you're quickly checking road exits/entrances it's a flash of the eyes, meaning there's a very good chance you'll look when the light isn't on.

I thought they made the blinking/flashing lights illegal because of this and their ability to distract?

If you manage to check quicker than most bike light blinks then you didn't check at all and probably shouldn't be driving.

 

[Fweddy]

I thought there was a law against flashing lights too. My problem with them is I find it harder to judge the distance to them compared to a steady light.

 

[Wazzerphuk]

Yep, I was right, they ARE illegal if used without a permanently 'on' light:

Legal Requirements

In the UK, bikes must conform to the pedal cycles (construction and use) regulations and the road vehicle lighting regulations. To be used at night, a bike must have:

*

One steady, fixed white light, marked BS6102/3 (or equivalent), positioned centrally or offside, up to 1500mm from the ground, aligned towards and visible from the front.
*

One steady, fixed red light, marked BS3648 or BS6102/3 (or equivalent), positioned centrally or offside, between 350mm and 1500mm from the ground, at or near the rear, aligned towards and visible from behind.
*

One reflector, coloured red, marked BS6102/2 (or equivalent), positioned centrally or offside, between 350mm and 900mm from the ground, at or near the rear, aligned towards and visible from behind.
*

Four reflectors, coloured amber and marked BS6102/2 (or equivalent), positioned so that one is plainly visible to the front and another to the rear of each pedal.

There are exemptions for older bikes; pre-1990, the light output from the front light to meet the required standard is much lower, and pre-1985, the pedal reflectors are not required. Note that there is no exemption for step-in (or quill) pedals1, which are popular on mountain bikes and almost universal amongst racers and tourists. No pedal reflectors, no night riding - legally, at least.

Flashing-red rear lights are also illegal in the UK, despite being between three and five times more visible. The lighting regulations, which cover both these and the pedal reflectors, are under review, so this may change.

 

[Tom]

Nobody gives a flying fuck about those regulations. For instance, on both my bikes, it is impossible to have reflectors on the pedals.

 

[Wazzerphuk]

They don't, but they SHOULD, regarding lights anyway. Reflectors, as stated, are another matter sometimes.

 

[Tom]

No, the regulations are clearly completely out of date, and do not deserve attention.

The authorities know feck all about cycling, which is why you see useless coloured bits of tarmac everywhere, being ignored by cyclists.

 

[Rubber Bullets]

Yep, I was right, they ARE illegal if used without a permanently 'on' light:

Well yes I guess you were rightish, but you're not entirely helping your argument. From your own quote:

Flashing-red rear lights are also illegal in the UK, despite being between three and five times more visible. The lighting regulations, which cover both these and the pedal reflectors, are under review, so this may change.

3 to 5 times more visible huh?

RB