Blue Lights

Bodman
Bodman Posts: 18
edited December 2008 in Commuting chat
I've just purchased a rear blue light, as i've noticed a few bikes with them on and they certainly attract you attention. I've checked out the Department of Transport website, which states flashing white front and red rear lights are legal, but there is no mention of Blue. Anyone any idea.?
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Comments

  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    I thought blue was for emergency services only......

    From physics, I believe that red has a longer wavelength than blue and hence is easier to see over distance (more prominent) - there fore red brakelights/for lights and so on. Added to the fact that red means "Danger"!

    Ami I right or spouting poo again?
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    gtvlusso wrote:
    I thought blue was for emergency services only......

    From physics, I believe that red has a longer wavelength than blue and hence is easier to see over distance (more prominent) - there fore red brakelights/for lights and so on. Added to the fact that red means "Danger"!

    Ami I right or spouting poo again?

    Rule of thumb with science - if you find you have to come up with a plurality of totally unrelated theories to feel like you've explained something, one or more, possibly all, of the said theories probably smell of poo.
  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    Always Tyred wrote:
    gtvlusso wrote:
    I thought blue was for emergency services only......

    From physics, I believe that red has a longer wavelength than blue and hence is easier to see over distance (more prominent) - there fore red brakelights/for lights and so on. Added to the fact that red means "Danger"!

    Ami I right or spouting poo again?

    Rule of thumb with science - if you find you have to come up with a plurality of totally unrelated theories to feel like you've explained something, one or more, possibly all, of the said theories probably smell of poo.

    Isn't that digging a hole?! Science vs Religion - Court order - Science must stay at least 500 yds from Religion at all times....
  • Jamey
    Jamey Posts: 2,152
    At the same 'power' then blue light is less visible than red light, however you usually find that people who manufacture blue lights make them more powerful (than if they'd made the same light in a red colour) to compensate for this.

    Certainly on TVs, where you have red, green and blue squares next to each other, 'they' have to make the blue squares brighter than the other two just so they look the same.

    So you've got two types of brightness - actual brightness and perceived brightness. The former needs to be greater on blue lights in order for the latter to stay the same.

    I think (this is based on my experience working in the TV/video industry).
    My photography // My helmet cam videos // My bike
  • mickmcg
    mickmcg Posts: 48
    gtvlusso wrote:
    I thought blue was for emergency services only......

    yep, it's covered by the The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 and 2005 - 2005 amendments introduced flashing lights for bicycles

    basically for blues "Only emergency vehicles can be fitted with a blue flashing light, or anything that looks like a blue flashing light, whether working or not."

    IIRC red and amber lights have both been proven to be more visible at distance than blues - not sure of the exact science but you are programmed to react to them and are exposed to them much more frequently

    finally work is useful
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  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    I'm also fairly sure that they're red, not for the extra distance which is moot because they can be made more powerful, but because red light doesn't affect your night sight to the same extent as the other colours, hence you wont be as blinded by sitting behind them for extended periods of time.
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  • ansbaradigeidfran
    ansbaradigeidfran Posts: 526
    mickmcg wrote:
    IIRC red and amber lights have both been proven to be more visible at distance than blues - not sure of the exact science but you are programmed to react to them and are exposed to them much more frequently
    There's also the fact that several cars' headlamps have a slight blue tint, so someone might even think that you're going the wrong way!
  • Nick6891
    Nick6891 Posts: 274
    isnt it illegal to have blue lights?
  • Mithras
    Mithras Posts: 428
    Yes, It is illegal to have blue lights, even on your bike! Any copper will instruct you to remove them and would possibly be within thier rights to confiscate the lights. I certainly would!
    I can afford to talk softly!....................I carry a big stick!
  • Bodman
    Bodman Posts: 18
    Is that documented anywhere? I find it strange that companies are designing, developing, and making blue lights and shops are actively selling them, if they are indeed illegal to use them.
  • simple_salmon
    simple_salmon Posts: 457
    According to the DfT: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicle ... edalbi4556

    ALL rear lights must be red.
  • iain_j
    iain_j Posts: 1,941
    Put them on flashing mode, and people will move out of your way at the lights, in fact you can legally jump red lights :)
  • RufusA
    RufusA Posts: 500
    Bodman wrote:
    Is that documented anywhere?

    Road Vehicle Lighting Regs:

    http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_1 ... 3.htm#(Tii)iicolourlightshownlampreflector

    No vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp which is capable of showing any light to the rear, other than a red light, except...

    and a list, none of which applies to a bicycle rear light.

    And

    http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_1 ... 3.htm#(Tii)i6restrictionfittingbluewarningbeaconspecialwarninglampsimilardevice

    No vehicle, other than an emergency vehicle, shall be fitted with-
    (a) a blue warning beacon or special warning lamp

    etc.

    As to why they are manufactured and sold if illegal to use at night on a bike on a public highway.... They are probably manufactured in China or similar and exported worldwide, not every country will have the same regs as us. There is also nothing stopping shops from selling them, and nothing stopping people from being foolish enough to buy them. Where there is money to be made.....

    Why are blue windscreen washer jets, neon underlghts and silly number plates sold for cars if they are illegal to use on public roads!

    Rufus.
  • RufusA
    RufusA Posts: 500
    edited November 2008
    Duplicate post!
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    Mithras, have you technically arrested Bodman yet, or is he getting away with a caution?
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  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    biondino wrote:
    Mithras, have you technically arrested Bodman yet, or is he getting away with a caution?

    Asbo....
  • cee
    cee Posts: 4,553
    Bodman wrote:
    Is that documented anywhere? I find it strange that companies are designing, developing, and making blue lights and shops are actively selling them, if they are indeed illegal to use them.

    I can buy a great big fsk-off knife in lots of shops. Illegal to carry it around the street though.......hell it is legal to buy cannabis seeds.......illegal to grow the plants though....

    Point is, there are lots of items that have a perfectly legitimate and legal use, which are made illegal when brought into another context.
    Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle, I believe in the future of the human race.

    H.G. Wells.
  • marmitecp
    marmitecp Posts: 203
    Attach them to your bag rather than your "vehicle".
  • prj45
    prj45 Posts: 2,208
    I still think a copper will pull you pretty much straight away.
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  • Mark_K
    Mark_K Posts: 666
    marmitecp wrote:
    Attach them to your bag rather than your "vehicle".

    I know someone who got stoped using these and he had them on the back of his helmet and was warned next time he would be arested for impersonating a police officer lol :) i would love to see that case making it to court :roll:
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  • galaxyboy
    galaxyboy Posts: 168
    Simple solution - Do not fit them to your bike, wear them on your clothing. :D
  • galaxyboy
    galaxyboy Posts: 168
    Can I register my bike as an emergency vehicle? I do use it for getting to the fire station both for call outs and work.
  • Mithras
    Mithras Posts: 428
    galaxyboy wrote:
    Can I register my bike as an emergency vehicle? I do use it for getting to the fire station both for call outs and work.

    Nope but you could persuade your boss that you ned a cycle response unit to combat Arson and fire related anti social behaviour in your area, then get work bikes equipped with blues and twos.

    www.publicsafetycycling.org.uk
    I can afford to talk softly!....................I carry a big stick!
  • Mithras
    Mithras Posts: 428
    biondino wrote:
    Mithras, have you technically arrested Bodman yet, or is he getting away with a caution?

    Just given him a severe ticking off (but only because he is a cyclist) would have thrown the book at a motorist!
    I can afford to talk softly!....................I carry a big stick!
  • fossyant
    fossyant Posts: 2,549
    Best thing is not to have confusing lights - 'cos motorists can't process the data and will run you over whilst half asleep in their air conditioned sofa's......

    Get a Blackburn Mars 4.0 1watt rear (and other lights) - you'll have 'em running for cover.....or driving wide...heh..heh....
  • chilledsandwich
    chilledsandwich Posts: 128
    Is a Police bike classed as an emergency vehicle?

    Restrictions on fitting blue warning beacons, special warning lamps and similar devices
    16. No vehicle, other than an emergency vehicle, shall be fitted with-

    (a) a blue warning beacon or special warning lamp, or

    (b) a device which resembles a blue warning beacon or a special warning lamp, whether the same is in working order or not.

    Are they falling foul of the law? Do the ambulance bikes in London have the blues and twos?
  • prj45
    prj45 Posts: 2,208
    chilledsandwich wrote:
    Is a Police bike classed as an emergency vehicle?

    Restrictions on fitting blue warning beacons, special warning lamps and similar devices
    16. No vehicle, other than an emergency vehicle, shall be fitted with-

    (a) a blue warning beacon or special warning lamp, or

    (b) a device which resembles a blue warning beacon or a special warning lamp, whether the same is in working order or not.

    Are they falling foul of the law? Do the ambulance bikes in London have the blues and twos?

    The police bikes certainly do.
    Photos - Blog - Bike
  • Mithras
    Mithras Posts: 428
    prj45 wrote:
    chilledsandwich wrote:
    Is a Police bike classed as an emergency vehicle?

    Restrictions on fitting blue warning beacons, special warning lamps and similar devices
    16. No vehicle, other than an emergency vehicle, shall be fitted with-

    (a) a blue warning beacon or special warning lamp, or

    (b) a device which resembles a blue warning beacon or a special warning lamp, whether the same is in working order or not.

    Are they falling foul of the law? Do the ambulance bikes in London have the blues and twos?

    The police bikes certainly do.

    As do the Paramedics and even Fire teams are using bikes too...No obviously not as fire engines
    I can afford to talk softly!....................I carry a big stick!
  • Greg T
    Greg T Posts: 3,266
    Mithras wrote:
    Yes, It is illegal to have blue lights, even on your bike! Any copper will instruct you to remove them and would possibly be within thier rights to confiscate the lights. I certainly would!

    Would you say
    Listen sun shine, shut it you slag!

    before chasing me in a Mk 1 Cortina, sliding into cardboard boxes and assorted newspapers before cornering me
    You are Nicked! We're the fecking Sweeney

    When you smack me across the jaw and I drop the revolver?
    Fixed gear for wet weather / hairy roadie for posing in the sun.

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  • Mithras
    Mithras Posts: 428
    Greg T wrote:
    Mithras wrote:
    Yes, It is illegal to have blue lights, even on your bike! Any copper will instruct you to remove them and would possibly be within thier rights to confiscate the lights. I certainly would!

    Would you say
    Listen sun shine, shut it you slag!
    :D

    before chasing me on a Claude Butler Rock, sliding into cardboard boxes and assorted newspapers before cornering me
    You are Nicked! We're the fecking Bike Squad

    :lol::lol:

    When you smack me across the jaw and I drop the revolver?
    I can afford to talk softly!....................I carry a big stick!

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