Flashing rear light for daylight use

MartinS · Post by **MartinS** » 4 Oct 2020, 3:13pm

Can any one recommend a rack mounted (seat post in use) bright flashing rear light for daylight use. I have seen a couple of riders go past me with circular bright lights but never managed to catch up! My preference is for AA batteries as you get warning of reduction in voltage.

freeflow · Post by **freeflow** » 4 Oct 2020, 3:36pm

Please don't. As a fellow cyclist my opinion is that there is nothing more annoying than being behind someone with a bright red flashing rear light.

mjr · Post by **mjr** » 4 Oct 2020, 4:31pm

freeflow wrote:Please don't. As a fellow cyclist my opinion is that there is nothing more annoying than being behind someone with a bright red flashing rear light.

This. Plus you'll never compete with the sun in good weather. In bad weather, a big steady light like some of the Spanninga ones is good and very eye-catching with the movement of the bike and bobbing of pedal reflectors or clips.

Vantage · Post by **Vantage** » 4 Oct 2020, 4:41pm

It doesn't flash, but I have the dynamo powered version of this light and my other half says it's one of the brightest rear lights she's seen.

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/lighting/bu ... ear-light/

Post by **Mick F** » 4 Oct 2020, 6:01pm

freeflow wrote:Please don't. As a fellow cyclist my opinion is that there is nothing more annoying than being behind someone with a bright red flashing rear light.

Absolutely Plus One.

mumbojumbo · Post by **mumbojumbo** » 4 Oct 2020, 6:26pm

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freeflow
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Re: Flashing rear light for daylight use
Unread postby freeflow » 4 Oct 2020, 3:36pm

Please don't. As a fellow cyclist my opinion is that there is nothing more annoying than being behind someone with a bright red flashing rear light.

Well with a little effort you could overtake,and banish your irritation.I have a list of annoying phenomena and would list the red light at 159th.

simonhill · Post by **simonhill** » 4 Oct 2020, 6:31pm

There is a big difference between the lower powered flashing lights like my cheapo LEDs and those very intense get in your eyes ones. You can almost hear them pinging at you.

gazza_d · Post by **gazza_d** » 4 Oct 2020, 6:55pm

Another vote against

I am not at all convinced that daytime lights make a difference whatsoever as the problem is drivers not looking properly. Hiviz, lights etc all just transfer the responsibility onto the cyclist. "It was the cyclists fault m'lud as he wasn't showing any lights so how could I have seen him"
I have dynamo lights and sometimes have them on and it makes no difference.
Also I have a theory that flashing lights "mark" you as a cyclist from a greater distance and give drivers who don't have any empathy just an excuse to pass closer. Especially in bad weather or at night. I noticed an improvement in driver behaviour when I switched to Dyno lights from flashing.

freeflow · Post by **freeflow** » 4 Oct 2020, 7:28pm

mumbojumbo wrote:
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freeflow
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Re: Flashing rear light for daylight use
Unread postby freeflow » 4 Oct 2020, 3:36pm

Please don't. As a fellow cyclist my opinion is that there is nothing more annoying than being behind someone with a bright red flashing rear light.

Well with a little effort you could overtake,and banish your irritation.I have a list of annoying phenomena and would list the red light at 159th.

So low down in your priorities it was hardly worthwhile you posting here.

In the meantime, when riding with a group at night, which I do once a week, it is decidedly unsocial to always be at the front, and yes, heavy hints have been dropped.

De Sisti · Post by **De Sisti** » 4 Oct 2020, 7:43pm

mumbojumbo wrote:
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freeflow
Posts: 1387
Joined: 29 Aug 2011, 1:54pm
Contact: Contact freeflow
Re: Flashing rear light for daylight use
Unread postby freeflow » 4 Oct 2020, 3:36pm

Please don't. As a fellow cyclist my opinion is that there is nothing more annoying than being behind someone with a bright red flashing rear light.

Well with a little effort you could overtake,and banish your irritation.I have a list of annoying phenomena and would list the red light at 159th.

+1

Pebble · Post by **Pebble** » 4 Oct 2020, 7:47pm

I too agree they could be very annoying if you are following someone for any length of time - however as a driver I do find them not only noticeable but the flashing bit lets me know it is going to be a cyclist. So I think it is a good idea for a solo cyclist (or the one at the back)

I personally don't use lights during the day but do have three red flashers for dusk and dark.

pwa · Post by **pwa** » 4 Oct 2020, 8:03pm

Pebble wrote:I too agree they could be very annoying if you are following someone for any length of time - however as a driver I do find them not only noticeable but the flashing bit lets me know it is going to be a cyclist. So I think it is a good idea for a solo cyclist (or the one at the back)

I personally don't use lights during the day but do have three red flashers for dusk and dark.

One flash and one constant works best, I think. Less annoying on the eye but still with the message that you are approaching a cyclist. Multiple flashers all working to a different beat is a nightmare for anyone behind, very disorientating and unhelpful.

Jdsk · Post by **Jdsk** » 4 Oct 2020, 8:12pm

pwa wrote:
Pebble wrote:I too agree they could be very annoying if you are following someone for any length of time - however as a driver I do find them not only noticeable but the flashing bit lets me know it is going to be a cyclist. So I think it is a good idea for a solo cyclist (or the one at the back)

I personally don't use lights during the day but do have three red flashers for dusk and dark.

One flash and one constant works best, I think. Less annoying on the eye but still with the message that you are approaching a cyclist. Multiple flashers all working to a different beat is a nightmare for anyone behind, very disorientating and unhelpful.

In bad conditions and from dusk onwards I have a steady rear lamp on the top of the rack, a low intensity sequence flashing lamp at the bottom of the mudguard, and a low intensity flashing lamp on my helmet. But I'd never realised that the flashing lamps aren't synchronised. : - (

Jonathan

pwa · Post by **pwa** » 4 Oct 2020, 8:22pm

Jdsk wrote:
pwa wrote:
Pebble wrote:I too agree they could be very annoying if you are following someone for any length of time - however as a driver I do find them not only noticeable but the flashing bit lets me know it is going to be a cyclist. So I think it is a good idea for a solo cyclist (or the one at the back)

I personally don't use lights during the day but do have three red flashers for dusk and dark.

One flash and one constant works best, I think. Less annoying on the eye but still with the message that you are approaching a cyclist. Multiple flashers all working to a different beat is a nightmare for anyone behind, very disorientating and unhelpful.

In bad conditions and from dusk onwards I have a steady rear lamp on the top of the rack, a low intensity sequence flashing lamp at the bottom of the mudguard, and a low intensity flashing lamp on my helmet. But I'd never realised that the flashing lamps aren't synchronised. : - (

Jonathan

It might not be a problem if one or both of your flashing lights are not very intense. But I have been behind bikes with multiple flashers of high intensity and it did make me feel disorientated, which is not how you want a driver to be as they are assessing a possible overtake. I want drivers to be clear that I am a cyclist, and to register where I am precisely. I don't want them confused.

Jdsk · Post by **Jdsk** » 4 Oct 2020, 8:24pm

Yes, I recognised what you're describing with multiple bright lights.

Jonathan