CyclingMikey aka CrikeyMikey

umbramalison · Post by **umbramalison** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 12:18 pm

I've always tried to be friendly on the roads, which it appears isn't best practice in london. I do have the mind set that a lane should always be single file with the exception of overtaking vehicles (which appear on the right usually)...so it turns out that if say your approaching red lights and there's a car signalling to go across your lane, slowing down to let them through first is NOT a great idea as a cyclist maybe filtering through the traffic (switching from undertaking to overtaking - thus when you look one side then the other you still don't see them!!) cyclists sees signalling car on the right so moves to undertaking position. Now signalling car can't see the cyclist and you already flashed them to go across... next thing is you have an irate cyclist and two surprised drivers!

Also if your kind in London, everyone abuses you! Still when the shock isn't too much you might get a thank you - or they were gonna push infront anyway so no need to be gratuitous...i love it here...

talking about visibility, bikes are very hard to spot and that bike in the video is even harder. its so low to the ground that for cars its like a lorry trying to see a normal cyclists. Would flags not be idea? Apparently PeterWalker (@ guardian) thinks enforcing bike users to where helmets would be bad as it would discourage them from cycling...(great logic there...) so i would love to see the response to having a nice bright flag trailing in the wind

oh and lights annoy me too! why do most cyclists have lights that flash? that means 50% of the time the light isn't on!!

BTW, i'm not usually this annoyed! i'm actually quite chill, and usually so on the roads. but this guy..well

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 12:42 pm

umbramalison wrote:oh and lights annoy me too! why do most cyclists have lights that flash? that means 50% of the time the light isn't on!!

They're supposed to flash quickly as it's attracts your attention from a distance, so you're more likely to see a cyclist from afar. The idiot in the video's light flashes much too slow though, defeating the object. His just makes him annoying!

bennyboy · Post by **bennyboy** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 12:46 pm

NafemanNathan wrote:
umbramalison wrote:oh and lights annoy me too! why do most cyclists have lights that flash? that means 50% of the time the light isn't on!!

They're supposed to flash quickly as it's attracts your attention from a distance, so you're more likely to see a cyclist from afar. The idiot in the video's light flashes much too slow though, defeating the object. His just makes him annoying!

Is it still technically illegal to have the flashing red lights? I remember way back at school we had a copper come in and tell us that, to do with only the feds supposedly to have flashing red lights on the road or some such, but basically said it's overlooked, as they'd rather cyclists be seen?

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 12:49 pm

bennyboy wrote:it's overlooked, as they'd rather cyclists be seen?

^^^ That I still believe. They'd have to be a real anal copper to pull you and do you for that anyway.

That said, I don't often if ever see flashing rear lights these days, just fronts.

umbramalison · Post by **umbramalison** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 12:50 pm

LoL, I know but when you think of it like I phrased it. it does seem to defeat the point.

maybe in low light the flashing is fine, but a night I don't agree. Best to have both and I have seen once a pulsating light which maintained a bright level of light whilst also flashing even brighter.

Bennyboy, I am sure I remember flashing lights were never officially recommended. but that might be going back to my cycling proficiency. so only 14 years ago...

Post by **indigolemon** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 12:51 pm

bennyboy wrote:Is it still technically illegal to have the flashing red lights? I remember way back at school we had a copper come in and tell us that, to do with only the feds supposedly to have flashing red lights on the road or some such, but basically said it's overlooked, as they'd rather cyclists be seen?

Flashing lights are meant mainly for pedestrians to make them obvious. You can have a flashing light as a cyclist, but you are supposed to have a solid light on as well. It's the solid light that not only makes you obvious, but helps those around you judge how close you are, or they are to you. This is much more difficult with only a flashing light for reference.

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 12:58 pm

umbramalison wrote: LoL, I know but when you think of it like I phrased it. it does seem to defeat the point.

maybe in low light the flashing is fine, but a night I don't agree. Best to have both and I have seen once a pulsating light which maintained a bright level of light whilst also flashing even brighter.

Bennyboy, I am sure I remember flashing lights were never officially recommended. but that might be going back to my cycling proficiency. so only 14 years ago...

Oh yeah, at night you're supposed to have a constant light as well/instead.

lxstuart · Post by **lxstuart** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 3:49 pm

With just a flashing light, I always think its a cyclist behind a fence/railing. You can't tell until you're right on top of them.

Also, I find that the LED lights make cyclist harder to spot. They don't seem to create the same kind of light pools that halogen lights do.