Cycling UK Forum

Ever since the mid nineties, I have always used a red led on flashing mode, when cycling at night.

This year, I have heard of the month effect and following this I will set my l.e.d. light to static.

Apparently the moth effect is when drunk drivers become fixated with flashing lights that they drive onto them, whether its a police patrol car, a tractor or tragically a jogger.

If you Google 'moth effect drunk driver' lots of anecdotal stories appear...

So, you've been riding with a flashing red LED at the rear since the mid 90s and have lived to tell the tale?
I think you've answered your own question, if it was indeed a question.

In avoiding one danger we might either more or too greatly expose ourselves to another; it’s all down to the balancing of risks and to understanding what’s either better or worse for some situations.

Personally I don’t like flashing lights; they might get someone’s attention but, because they disrupt thought, at what overall cost? A steady light has worked for me, though whether it’s ideal or not I do not know. Whatever, I don’t need the safest or best I just need sufficient for my purposes; well that and to manage risk as best I can.

My own method of risk management is first to ask can the journey ever be safely managed on a bike and then, if risky, can it be avoided altogether? If not avoided then what route(s) might be safest? Visibility is important, I think reflectors work and when I drive then I notice pedal reflectors and find them a good and gentle reminder that there’s a cyclist there. That self recognition test actually works quite well for me, I try to model my own behaviour as a cyclist on what I find helpful as a driver - helping the driver helps to avoid an accident.

Moth effect, drawn to the light? Life is full of such unintended consequences. One might wonder why stationary vehicles on the hard shoulder are rear ended, etc. Visibility is one thing, but what goes on in the minds of others (what they do with the information) can be variable .

a.twiddler wrote: ↑3 Sep 2023, 1:04am
I think you've answered your own question, if it was indeed a question.

It's statement. Not question. Question has question mark at the end of it.

I was using my l.e.d.s in flashing mode at night and in light * of anecdotal evidence that drunk drivers may crash into me, I now use it in steady mode. Small change in lifestyle to prevent possible big impact* on lifestyle..

I placed the post to make people aware of this possible moth effect. Reading about this, it did not seem fair that I know and others did not.

We are all adults and are more than capable of judging the dangers for ourselves for where we live and the cycling we do...

(*never too early for a pun or two)

I spotted a cyclist at the coffee shop with a very bright rear light. It was a Garmin with a built in sensor which detected vehicles coming up behind and switched it automatically to flashing mode. It also showed on his handlebar display how far behind the vehicle was.

I have been of the opinion for a long time that because flashing LEDs identify a cyclist from a long way off in the dark, that rather than encourage drivers to give them lots of space, many do decide to close pass.

I've found steady lights to be better at night for a long time.

There appears to be little evidence that this is a problem, and what there is suggests it may be a small effect. Ref: https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstream ... sequence=1.

I suspect any effect of a flashing light would depend on the lighting of the surroundings, particularly the number of other light sources and their movement.

Personally I use plenty of large red reflectors facing to the rear, front (white) and the side (tyres). Pedal reflectors flash too, although panniers can obscure them from short distances.

plancashire wrote: ↑3 Sep 2023, 5:11pm There appears to be little evidence that this is a problem, and what there is suggests it may be a small effect.
...

I had a very quick look and couldn't find any useful evidence.

Jonathan

An acquaintance was hooning around on a rugby field in his car and somehow managed to run into a goal post. I wonder if this effect explains his idiocy.

Mike Sales wrote: ↑3 Sep 2023, 5:24pm An acquaintance was hooning around on a rugby field in his car and somehow managed to run into a goal post. I wonder if this effect explains his idiocy.

What kind of light was it displaying?