Strobes are easier to see - or at least they make me feel they're easier to see. Especially in these conditions.
A question to cyclists, going out in these conditions?
- Thread starter ColdAsIce
- Start date
Strobes are easier to see - or at least they make me feel they're easier to see. Especially in these conditions.
This, basically.
I remember hearing that the flashing lights were supposed to be banned but no-idea where I heard that from. They are certainly distracting, please use solid beams.
me too, strobes are distracting at best
It's because bike lights are generally small and nothing like the rear lights of a car. A solid beam is visible, but a flashing light gives better perception as to the distance to the bike rider.
The best bike lights will have both a constant and flashing beam at the sametime, as that's how you will remain best seen.
Do you live outside Cambridge? I cycle 3 miles into the Engineering department every day and have not had any problems over the last couple of weeks, and I'm hardly cyclist of the century
Man of Honour
- Joined
- 5 Jun 2003
- Posts
- 91,810
- Location
- Falling...
Are they? I find them irritating and distracting, but not necessarily easier to spot.
I could believe that. However I agree, a bright solid beam is much more sensible to me. I can't imagine using strobes on my motorbike.
Does it really give the preception of distance? I'm not challenging you - I'm genuinely interested. Is this from the rider's perspective or the observer's perspective?
I think I can understand a solid beam with a regular slow flash, but the high intensity strobing lights either makes me think there's a cop bike out, but also find it hard to judge where they are.
I disagree, I find strobes harder to see and harder to judge the distance of the bike.
It's what I've always read on bike light guides and what most of the manufacturers say, I don't know the ins and outs of it.
I'd say in the simplest terms though, the less observant of other road users or people with impaired vision see a small steady red light and think it's a car or motorbike off in the distance. In reality, they may have not paid attention to the fact it's a cycle, not far from them. A Flashing light with it's changing pattern makes it easier to spot.
I would imagine it's probably the same reason that Boats and Planes have flashing lights rather than steady on all the time.
I'd say in the simplest terms though, the less observant of other road users or people with impaired vision see a small steady red light and think it's a car or motorbike off in the distance. In reality, they may have not paid attention to the fact it's a cycle, not far from them. A Flashing light with it's changing pattern makes it easier to spot.
I would imagine it's probably the same reason that Boats and Planes have flashing lights rather than steady on all the time.
Same here - its driving me nut not cycling. Not been out on the road for nearly 2 weeks. Just stuck in the garage on the turbo
Do you live outside Cambridge? I cycle 3 miles into the Engineering department every day and have not had any problems over the last couple of weeks, and I'm hardly cyclist of the century
No I work outside Cambridge, and about 80% of my route is icy.
Ah makes sense - I've been over to the West Cambridge campus a couple of times and it's bad enough out there. Temperatures look to be increasing this week though so should be OK fairly soon.
Permabanned
- Joined
- 22 Feb 2010
- Posts
- 1,629
Increaseing? What you smoking?
It's dropped to -9!
It's dropped to -9!
Had to take the main roads today rather than the usual manchester cycle path - it held onto its snow pretty well which was fine to cycle on - but im worried the thaw over the weekend has turned it into an ice rink.
However the trip in today on the roads was horrendous - the traffic is so bad - and everyone was in a rush and being an idiot - including myself
I'm thinking a few skids and a possible fall might be preferable to that..
However the trip in today on the roads was horrendous - the traffic is so bad - and everyone was in a rush and being an idiot - including myself
I'm thinking a few skids and a possible fall might be preferable to that..
Caporegime
- Joined
- 13 May 2003
- Posts
- 34,581
- Location
- Warwickshire
- Joined
- 3 May 2004
- Posts
- 17,722
- Location
- Kapitalist Republik of Surrey
I've been riding today. The only danger on my route so far have been the drivers
To be fair though, they have been fine today, acting sensibly for once.
If weather conditions are bad or it's turning dark they still don't see you, and the flashing light is much better in these conditions. When I have my front light on strobe it literally flashes out the entire street so it's very hard to not see me coming.
As a driver as well I'm actually surprised some cyclists ride around with such small dim lights. It's only a threat to themselves.
To be fair though, they have been fine today, acting sensibly for once.
Depends on the conditions. You're a biker so you know how few people see you; on a bicycle it's even fewer. I find if you have weak lights, some people tend to try and bully you on the road. If you have a ridiculously bright light they can't judge your distance or speed (or see you as bigger than you are), so tend to stay put or give a wide berth.
If weather conditions are bad or it's turning dark they still don't see you, and the flashing light is much better in these conditions. When I have my front light on strobe it literally flashes out the entire street so it's very hard to not see me coming.
As a driver as well I'm actually surprised some cyclists ride around with such small dim lights. It's only a threat to themselves.
Last edited:
I use matt strobe lights which don't hurt your eyes when you look at them. Still really bright as well.