The required front light must be bike mounted below 1.5m. As far as I can see that doesn't proscribe additional rider mounted lights, nor restrict their height.
Wow. Could I legally cover my cycling body with highly visible and driver-alarming blue flashing lights?
As I said, I expect there is some other legislation that rules that out, though at a quick search I can't see any. Also, are pedestrians allowed such lights?Wow. Could I legally cover my cycling body with highly visible and driver-alarming blue flashing lights?
If so, it'd be legal if I rode on pavements all aflash? If not, it'd be the tickbox next to "Flasher".
I might point mine horizontally in daytime, when it doesn't currently seem to have much influence over driver behaviour - it's bright enough to stand a chance of being noticed in bright daylight. If that doesn't work, I'll remove one of the two acetate sheets to increase brightness.
...so far... The reflective tape helps hugely to make you visible. On moving parts especially, where there is always some pointing in the right direction, and the movement itself attracts attention.
Thanks for the link. I hadn't considered the heat at all!That's what my rear light is, using heat-resistant red acetate sheet:
Heat Resistant Colour Transparent Stage Lighting Filter Gel Acetate Sheet Crafts | eBay
The lighting Gels are a (paper) thin sheet of polycarbonate/polyester and can be placed in front of lights to give a nice colour effect. Filter Gels are made so that they can withstand high temperatures.www.ebay.co.uk
I know it's effective but that's when you shine a light at it directly so it's reflected back at the light source and driver's eyes The brightness falls the greater the angle, like when you drive closer and closer to a road sign.
www.myfenix.co.uk
www.magicshine.de
You're absolutely right. I did want to have the front lights wider apart, but positioning is limited by the thickening of my handlebar toward the middle, which sadly only the headlight clamps can accommodate - I may have another look to see if it's possible.
Good thought! The handlebar extender could be attached to the rear pannier using padding (I used cut up hosepipe to attach the light to the rear pannier, which allows it to tilt), the light attached that, then simply swivel another bright red flasher out. Two of those at the back would be quite maddening to look at, from a driver's point of view.
What's needed here I think is MACROprismatic! But Dalek bodywork-like arrays of 12 inch hemispheric/semi-buckyballic blisters covered with reflective material sticking out from the frame sides, wouldn't be as aero, would add weight, impede pedalling...
Aha! Another 3M invention - their Scotchlite reflects the best I've seen so far, but doesn't do much in daylight.
www.planetx.co.uk
Nice but maybe too DIY for me. Plus I want portability to use on a regular bike as well
You mean to make the rider appear wider by spacing the lights further apart? Nice idea.
Thanks! That's a great idea! Despite my aversion to adding yet more USB devices to forget charging up before a ride, I've ordered one, along with some other cheap tat I've been meaning to buy from elsewhere (because it's DPD delivery only, £6.99 combined postage). Trailing wires from the ebike battery under the handgrips to end bar lights, doesn't appeal.I was driving a car the other day and I passed a cyclist on a road bike. I have been a lifelong cyclist so I am always on the lookout for them anyway, but I thought this light on the offside bottom of his drop handlebar was a very clever idea.
Planet X Super Mini 2 Way 200 Lumen Bike Helmet Light | Planet X Bikes
This matchbox sized light still manages to pack in so many features we weren’t even sure what to call it. At under 60g with a clip on double tab ‘Action Camera’ mount you can sit it on your helmet without even noticing it. Twin front LEDs and two red rear LEDs with an extensive mode menu will...
Not that I'd ever buy anything from Planet X, (the sale is always on and I don't like companies that mislead about price) but still.
I'd never pay their normal prices though. This shop is unknown to me, so paid using Paypal for refundability - they haven't refused me one yet!
Again, that sounds a very familiar line of enquiry - I did find many orange lights on AliExpress which would do the job attached to the sides of my bike frame, wired to my ebike battery, but matters have improved greatly after I attached a headlight to my handlebar, directed backwards to illuminate my hi-vis blouson, which from what I've experienced thus far, makes me quite brightly visible from the sides and well as head on, because it illuminates my chest and the insides of my hi-vis arms - haven't had any drivers leap out in front at intersections and roundabouts since I did that, I may stop pondering side lighting beyond this.
