Rear Flashers??
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- Posts: 354
- Joined: 23 Jan 2018, 1:51pm
Rear Flashers??
Should I leave them at home??
With our upcoming European tour I was wondering about the above? We have rear lights powered by our Dyno hub and as I recall flashing rear lights are frowned upon in Europe.
So.....
With our upcoming European tour I was wondering about the above? We have rear lights powered by our Dyno hub and as I recall flashing rear lights are frowned upon in Europe.
So.....
- Tigerbiten
- Posts: 2503
- Joined: 29 Jun 2009, 6:49am
Re: Rear Flashers??
I leave mine on my trike-trailer rig.
My dynamo lights are on all the time as DRL.
The rear flashers are only used if it's dark/wet/foggy as I think they are better than constant lights at getting a drivers attention in bad weather.
If I'm told they are illegal by the countries police, then I'll just set to a constant light mode until not needed.
YMMV ......
My dynamo lights are on all the time as DRL.
The rear flashers are only used if it's dark/wet/foggy as I think they are better than constant lights at getting a drivers attention in bad weather.
If I'm told they are illegal by the countries police, then I'll just set to a constant light mode until not needed.
YMMV ......
Re: Rear Flashers??
I recall flashing rear lights are frowned upon in Europe.
I dont really feel the need for flashing lights in such countries.
When I cycle through France at night, I feel supremely safe with just a steady back light powerful enough to satisfy the law and (compulsory for most of my riding) a Hi-Viz.
The "Christmas Tree" phenomenon is a reaction to UK road dangers and doesnt really need exporting to cycle friendly countries.
Yma o Hyd
Re: Rear Flashers??
meic wrote:I recall flashing rear lights are frowned upon in Europe.
I dont really feel the need for flashing lights in such countries.
When I cycle through France at night, I feel supremely safe with just a steady back light powerful enough to satisfy the law and (compulsory for most of my riding) a Hi-Viz.
The "Christmas Tree" phenomenon is a reaction to UK road dangers and doesnt really need exporting to cycle friendly countries.
Seems like a bit of extreme brit bashing. And I rather thought french drivers had a fairly poor reputation. Backed by statistics. Me? I do sometimes use a steady light but will always be using a flasher wherever I am.
Sweep
Re: Rear Flashers??
I found that in France the nightime road place was generally much more moderate than here in rural Wales even.
Much less use of highbeam, dipped lights were much more dipped in angle than here, less street lighting and dimmer ones too, no cats eyes. That lack of competition made me feel the single steady rear light stood out quite adequately and the HiViz would be seen in the headlights before it any way.
Much less use of highbeam, dipped lights were much more dipped in angle than here, less street lighting and dimmer ones too, no cats eyes. That lack of competition made me feel the single steady rear light stood out quite adequately and the HiViz would be seen in the headlights before it any way.
Yma o Hyd
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- Posts: 584
- Joined: 22 Jul 2017, 10:21pm
Re: Rear Flashers??
did they change the law here then? I though it was still a requirement for a constant red light.
although 30 years ago was the only time I got pulled over - half an hour into the first run with with my brand new vistalite.
the copper didn't care if they were legal or not, he pulled me over to ask about it because it was so effective.
although 30 years ago was the only time I got pulled over - half an hour into the first run with with my brand new vistalite.
the copper didn't care if they were legal or not, he pulled me over to ask about it because it was so effective.
Re: Rear Flashers??
Most flashing lights that you can buy are now allowed.
However very few of them actually meet the letter of the law making them qualify as having an official rear light. This is really splitting hairs though.
However very few of them actually meet the letter of the law making them qualify as having an official rear light. This is really splitting hairs though.
Yma o Hyd
Re: Rear Flashers??
crazydave789 wrote:did they change the law here then? I though it was still a requirement for a constant red light.
The law changed more than a decade ago. Flashing lights remain obnoxious to other road users, though. Go steady.
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
Re: Rear Flashers??
Yes.
Bring your flashing lights. Any rear light is better than no light and I've used flashing lights around the UK and Europe without issue.
Bring your flashing lights. Any rear light is better than no light and I've used flashing lights around the UK and Europe without issue.
Re: Rear Flashers??
I could well be out of date but I think they are still illegal in Germany and Netherlands. I have no idea if this is enforced.
Yma o Hyd
Re: Rear Flashers??
IME in NL the authorities would consider it a win to have you showing any kind of light at night (for city cycling at least...); you might get a comment from other riders mind, depending on how obnoxious the flash is.
Last edited by JakobW on 15 Jul 2018, 10:32pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Rear Flashers??
If you are planning on doing any riding in the Alps, then a rear flasher is useful when riding through tunnels, especially if it can be switched on whilst riding along.
Sherwood CC and Notts CTC.
A cart horse trapped in the body of a man.
http://www.jogler2009.blogspot.com
A cart horse trapped in the body of a man.
http://www.jogler2009.blogspot.com
Re: Rear Flashers??
Just for info - the term "flasher" means something very specific in UK English. To quote wiki "A person who displays his or her body in a form of indecent exposure ".
Re: Rear Flashers??
simonhill wrote:Just for info - the term "flasher" means something very specific in UK English.
Homonyms are also very common in English, and "flasher" is one of them
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/homonym
Re: Rear Flashers??
andrew_s wrote:simonhill wrote:Just for info - the term "flasher" means something very specific in UK English.
Homonyms are also very common in English, and "flasher" is one of them
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/homonym
However, flashing lights are indecent
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.