Bicycle lights,

ademort

Why do bicycle light manufacturers produce lights with both constant and flashing modes when flashing modes are not allowed by law, can anyone enlighten me on this subject.I have lived in the Netherlands for 15 years and since recently the flashing mode may no longer be used here either so why the bloody hell do we have flashing modes when we are not allowed to use them. this really pisses me off.javascript:emoticon(':!:')
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spen666

since when is the flashing mode not allowed in the UK?

Indeed the legislation was revised relatively recently to specifically allow them.

girofan

The only time you'll be stopped by the Fuzz is if your flashing without a light. :oops:

alfablue

Flashing lights are allowed (see here). The problem is that they should be BS (or EU equivalent) "Approved". Most if not all flashing lights are not approved. My Smart "Superflash" 1/2 watt rear states that it "conforms" with the BS, but "conforming with" does not equal "approved", so technically it ius illegal. (As are my Dinotte and Electron Nano front lights). Buying "approved" lights invariably means much poorer performance and brightness, so I am compelled to use illegal lights if I am to be able to see and be seen adequately. Shame, but even the revisions in the law in 2005 have not made it easy for cyclists to conform.

spen666

alfablue wrote:

Flashing lights are allowed (see here). The problem is that they should be BS (or EU equivalent) "Approved". Most if not all flashing lights are not approved. My Smart "Superflash" 1/2 watt rear states that it "conforms" with the BS, but "conforming with" does not equal "approved", so technically it ius illegal. (As are my Dinotte and Electron Nano front lights). Buying "approved" lights invariably means much poorer performance and brightness, so I am compelled to use illegal lights if I am to be able to see and be seen adequately. Shame, but even the revisions in the law in 2005 have not made it easy for cyclists to conform.

Taking what you say as correct (I've not gone to legislation to check)

There is a difference between lights not being approved and being illegal.

As I understand the legislation, you are correct in saying they may have not been approved, but that doesn't mean they are illegal if used along with an approved light.

I do not think the legislation says it is not lawful to use unapproved lights in addition to approved ones

alfablue

You are quite right Spen, if it is a secondary light then approval is unnecessary. The problem I have is that to be legal I have to buy a relatively expensive and poorly performing BS light which will offer little enhancement to my visibility and will take up more bar room/seatpost room, to use in conjunction with my preferred lights (plus extra batteries to maintain).

Of course, even then I will still be failing because I don't have pedal reflectors on my SPD's (I do have attachments with reflectors, which came with the pedals, but they turn 2-sided SPD's into single sided).

I generally do want to cross all the t's to be legal, but the compromises required seem to be too great at the moment. Of course it is likely to be of little consequence (I don't anticipate hassle from the police with my setup), but if involved in an accident, my "illegal" lights may imply contributory negligence on my part.

spen666

alfablue wrote:

You are quite right Spen, if it is a secondary light then approval is unnecessary. The problem I have is that to be legal I have to buy a relatively expensive and poorly performing BS light which will offer little enhancement to my visibility and will take up more bar room/seatpost room, to use in conjunction with my preferred lights (plus extra batteries to maintain).

Of course, even then I will still be failing because I don't have pedal reflectors on my SPD's (I do have attachments with reflectors, which came with the pedals, but they turn 2-sided SPD's into single sided).

I generally do want to cross all the t's to be legal, but the compromises required seem to be too great at the moment. Of course it is likely to be of little consequence (I don't anticipate hassle from the police with my setup), but if involved in an accident, my "illegal" lights may imply contributory negligence on my part.

I understand your concerns.

If your lights are visible- then I think the contribuory negligence point may be academic-I would hope a court would not allow it.

I'm sure most motor cars have lights that are not "legal" ie badly adjusted etc

alfablue

spen666 wrote:

If your lights are visible- then I think the contribuory negligence point may be academic-I would hope a court would not allow it.

That is my hope also. My lights would appear to be very visible.