Would a smart bicycle light work on a powered wheelchair?

Phil2008 · 21 Jun 2020 at 01:35

I bought a £6 simple red light in the end, I can just about reach the on/off buton, and its real bright too, it makes you see stars after looking at it.. So yeah I have printed out a holder and double sided taped the holder to my chair and Im pretty pleased with it......

helpimcrap · 21 Jun 2020 at 03:04

A flashing red light which is USB rechargeable would be better. I can't remember what mine is but they're about £30 and you can attach it around a small pole on the back. It lasts for days if it's flashing with the added point people are more likely to see something flashing than not.

Rroff · 21 Jun 2020 at 03:42

helpimcrap said:
A flashing red light which is USB rechargeable would be better. I can't remember what mine is but they're about £30 and you can attach it around a small pole on the back. It lasts for days if it's flashing with the added point people are more likely to see something flashing than not.

Flashing red is better for getting attention but it isn't as good IMO for gauging position or heading as a solid light.

I had a bit of a close call once with a cyclist whose only rear illumination was a red light flashing at one second intervals and the first moment they would have been noticeable to me also coincided with the light being out which due to them wearing dark clothing, etc. delayed me spotting them by a whole second - if they hadn't had been wearing white socks there is a good chance I'd have not noticed them until too late.

chaparral · 21 Jun 2020 at 03:51

Phil2008 said:
In this pic for example,, if this biker was lit up. you would see him easily.......

His bike head light is on

helpimcrap · 21 Jun 2020 at 12:04

Rroff said:
Flashing red is better for getting attention but it isn't as good IMO for gauging position or heading as a solid light.

I had a bit of a close call once with a cyclist whose only rear illumination was a red light flashing at one second intervals and the first moment they would have been noticeable to me also coincided with the light being out which due to them wearing dark clothing, etc. delayed me spotting them by a whole second - if they hadn't had been wearing white socks there is a good chance I'd have not noticed them until too late.

Was this at night?

helpimcrap · 21 Jun 2020 at 12:12

chaparral said:
His bike head light is on

Every biker has headlights on because of car drivers poor eyesight. We know and expect this. And this is why we get knocked off with "sorry mate, I didn't see you." - or SMIDSY as it's known to bikers because it's so commonplace.

If people have an accident like that they should have an eyesight test or a refresher test IMO.

Phil2008 · 21 Jun 2020 at 12:13

I think a flashing bright light is much more eye catching then a solid light.. Lights that you get on scooters that are ment for road use, the head and rear lights are pretty usless as there not overly bright and they dont flash

helpimcrap · 21 Jun 2020 at 12:47

Phil2008 said:
I think a flashing bright light is much more eye catching then a solid light.. Lights that you get on scooters that are ment for road use, the head and rear lights are pretty usless as there not overly bright and they dont flash

On a slow moving vehicle flashing is better. The human sensory optical input and brain is programmed to notice. If you don't notice then you have an issue that needs addressing. Slow moving wide load lorries have flashing lights for that reason - because you'll look.