Rear light that flashes red and white?

shiffard

I saw a rear light on a bike the other day which had a flashing sequence of 2 red then one white. Anyone know who manufactures these please?

fenix

Pretty sure that's not legal - not in the UK anyway ?

shiffard

With respect, I'm not interested in whether they're legal or not.

gethinceri

Not respectful to other road users.

simon_masterson

The Four4th Scorpion (super bright TT specific light) has a flashing mode that goes red/red/green. Amazing light, but probably not the obvious choice for typical road use

shiffard

Thank you Simon.

sloppyschleckonds

shiffard wrote:

With respect, I'm not interested in whether they're legal or not.

Welcome to the forum

jgsi

Rule 4 Sub Section 2 - Ask for advice, you will get a lecture.

fenix

I'd imagine that in the event of any incident - having a light flashing white at the back could come up as a contributory factor. Dazzled - confused - whatever.

But you're clearly special - so heck - why not have your own lights.

fudgey

I have seen a rear light that flashes red red white before, could be Leyzene or Exposure - i cant remember.

imposter2.0

Y tho

londoncommuter

Fenix wrote:

I'd imagine that in the event of any incident - having a light flashing white at the back could come up as a contributory factor. Dazzled - confused - whatever.

That's a fair point. Bad enough judges saying a lack of helmet was a contributory factor to injuries but if a driver got let off after mowing you down because of this it would be a shame. Of course you could think that you're more likely to get noticed with a white/red light on and not be mown down in the first place but I'm not sure having a lighthouse attached would help some of the time.

StillGoing

Long winded but, Construction and use regs for UK. The OP can say they don't care, but don't whine when you're given either a non-endorsable FPN, reported for summons or get cleared up by someone and the courts don't award compensation.

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

(a)amber light from a direction indicator or side marker lamp;
(b)white light from a reversing lamp;
(c)white light from a work lamp;
(d)light to illuminate the interior of a vehicle;
(e)light from an illuminated rear registration plate;
(f)light for the purposes of illuminating a taxi meter;
(g)in the case of a bus, light for the purposes of illuminating a route indicator;
(h)blue light and white light from a chequered domed lamp fitted to a police control vehicle and intended for use at the scene of an emergency;
(i)white light from a red and white chequered domed lamp, or a red and white segmented mast-mounted warning beacon, fitted to a fire service control vehicle and intended for use at the scene of an emergency;
(j)green light and white light from a chequered domed lamp fitted to an ambulance control vehicle and intended for use at the scene of an emergency;
(k)blue light from a warning beacon or rear special warning lamp fitted to an emergency vehicle, or from any device fitted to a vehicle used for police purposes;
(l)amber light from a warning beacon fitted to–
(i)a road clearance vehicle;
(ii)a vehicle constructed or adapted for the purpose of collecting refuse;
(iii)a breakdown vehicle;
(iv)a vehicle having a maximum speed not exceeding 25 mph or any trailer drawn by such a vehicle;
(v)a vehicle having an overall width (including any load) exceeding 2.9 m;
(vi)a vehicle used for the purposes of testing, maintaining, improving, cleansing or watering roads or for any purpose incidental to any such use;
(vii)a vehicle used for the purpose of inspecting, cleansing, maintaining, adjusting, renewing or installing any apparatus which is in, on, under or over a road, or for any purpose incidental to any such use;
(viii)a vehicle used for or in connection with any purpose for which it is authorised to be used on roads by an order under section 44 of the Act;
(ix)a vehicle used for escort purposes when travelling at a speed not exceeding 25 mph;
(x)a vehicle used by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise for the purpose of testing fuels;
(xi)a vehicle used for the purpose of surveying;
(xii)a vehicle used for the removal or immobilisation of vehicles in exercise of a statutory power or duty;
(m)green light from a warning beacon fitted to a vehicle used by a medical practitioner registered by the General Medical Council (whether with full, provisional or limited registration);
(n)yellow light from a warning beacon fitted to a vehicle for use at airports;
(o)light of any colour from a traffic sign which is attached to a vehicle;
(p)reflected light from amber pedal retro reflectors;
(q)reflected light of any colour from retro reflective material or a retro reflector designed primarily to reflect light to one or both sides of the vehicle and attached to or incorporated in any wheel or tyre of–
(i)a pedal cycle and any sidecar attached to it;
(ii)a solo motor bicycle or motor bicycle combination; or
(iii)an invalid carriage;
(r)reflected light from amber retro reflective material on a road clearance vehicle;
(s)reflected light from yellow retro reflective registration plates;
(t)reflected light from yellow retro reflective material incorporated in a rear marking of a type specified in Part I Section B of Schedule 19 and fitted to–
(i)a motor vehicle having a maximum gross weight exceeding 7500 kg;
(ii)a motor vehicle first used before 1st August 1982 having an unladen weight exceeding 3000 kg;
(iii)a trailer having a maximum gross weight exceeding 3500 kg;
(iv)a trailer manufactured before 1st August 1982 having an unladen weight exceeding 1000 kg;
(v)a trailer which forms part of a combination of vehicles one of which is of a type mentioned in a previous item of this sub-paragraph;
(vi)a load carried by any vehicle; or
(u)reflected light from orange retro reflective material incorporated in a sign fitted to the rear of a vehicle carrying a dangerous substance within the meaning of the Dangerous Substances (Conveyance by Road in Road Tankers and Tank Containers) Regulations 1981(16) or the Road Traffic (Carriage of Dangerous Substances in Packages etc) Regulations 1986(17)

fat daddy

Fenix wrote:

Pretty sure that's not legal - not in the UK anyway ?

not having reflectors on your pedals between sunset and sunrise is also illegal ... I would guess that 90% of clipless riders break that rule at night

and going on the above if the light is attached to the rider and not the bike, its not illegal .. as long as his bike light complies

Moonbiker

Theres 100's on ebay

Dumb idea though

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bicycle-Cycli ... SwTA9X2SCC

veronese68

Moonbiker wrote:

Dumb idea though

Yep, can't imagine why anyone would want that.

vpnikolov

fat daddy wrote:

Fenix wrote:

Pretty sure that's not legal - not in the UK anyway ?

not having reflectors on your pedals between sunset and sunrise is also illegal ... I would guess that 90% of clipless riders break that rule at night

and going on the above if the light is attached to the rider and not the bike, its not illegal .. as long as his bike light complies

What if the shoes have reflectors at the back? :roll: I know mine do.

veronese68

vpnikolov wrote:

What if the shoes have reflectors at the back? :roll: I know mine do.

I think that is legal, mine do too.

fenix

I've seen kids riding round with red lights at the front and white at the rear. No idea how that happened - but its a dumb idea.

kingstongraham

Fenix wrote:

I've seen kids riding round with red lights at the front and white at the rear. No idea how that happened - but its a dumb idea.

If you are on a cycle path at night, a red light on the front comes as quite a surprise. You meet them an awful lot quicker than you were expecting.

joncomelately

Veronese68 wrote:

vpnikolov wrote:

What if the shoes have reflectors at the back? :roll: I know mine do.

I think that is legal, mine do too.

Not if you take the Highway code literally, as it says:

Rule 60
At night your cycle MUST have white front and red rear lights lit. It MUST also be fitted with a red rear reflector (and amber pedal reflectors, if manufactured after 1/10/85).

I suppose you could argue that clipless shoes were part of the pedal, but my shoes certainly aren't amber.

However, as has been discussed elsewhere, it's pretty unlikely a bobby will care. insurance companies might...

davep1

I have to ask why anyone would want this? The chance of confusing any other road user by having a light that is white facing rear (even if it is flashing) just asking for trouble. Why not get some flashing blue lights and a siren too?!

simon_masterson

DaveP1 wrote:

I have to ask why anyone would want this? The chance of confusing any other road user by having a light that is white facing rear (even if it is flashing) just asking for trouble. Why not get some flashing blue lights and a siren too?!

I certainly feel much safer on DCs with my Scorpion rear light in the high power mode with the red and green flashes - see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7Uyjp5afPA

StillGoing

Simon Masterson wrote:

DaveP1 wrote:

I have to ask why anyone would want this? The chance of confusing any other road user by having a light that is white facing rear (even if it is flashing) just asking for trouble. Why not get some flashing blue lights and a siren too?!

I certainly feel much safer on DCs with my Scorpion rear light in the high power mode with the red and green flashes - see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7Uyjp5afPA

Illegal then. Only a red light to the rear is legal.

simon_masterson

I'm very happy to accept the very small possibility of a slap on the wrist in exchange for better visibility.

kingstongraham

Simon Masterson wrote:

I'm very happy to accept the very small possibility of a slap on the wrist in exchange for better visibility.

I think a key point of visibility is the other party understanding what it is they are seeing, and interpreting how fast they are likely to be moving. A flashing red and green light to me does not say "bicycle".

imafatman

Gonna guess it's the Four4th Scorpion.I saw one of those on a ride and it was amazing, saw it all the way in the distance and said. I WANT ONE OF THOSE.

I quickly changed my mind when I saw the price of the thing.

Also this talk about confusing road users is hilarious. I couldn't give a shit how confused someone is, the fact is the light is extremely visible and so they don't have any excuse.

cougie

It may be hilarious but I really don't want anyone driving up behind me not realising it's a bike they're approaching.

StillGoing

imafatman wrote:

Gonna guess it's the Four4th Scorpion.I saw one of those on a ride and it was amazing, saw it all the way in the distance and said. I WANT ONE OF THOSE.

I quickly changed my mind when I saw the price of the thing.

Also this talk about confusing road users is hilarious. I couldn't give a shoot how confused someone is, the fact is the light is extremely visible and so they don't have any excuse.

Maybe not, but it will certainly minimise, if not negate any compensation in a claim. Insurers will look for any opportunity to minimise or get out of liability, no matter how small or insignificant you may think it is.

svetty

Can't see much point in arguing on here with people who want to use an illegal light. It's their decision.

Maybe it makes them feel special or that they are in some way ahead of the game in flaunting the rules - a bit like teenagers who think it's adult or clever or anti-authoritarian to smoke. More fool them........

slowbike

imafatman wrote:

Also this talk about confusing road users is hilarious. I couldn't give a shoot how confused someone is, the fact is the light is extremely visible and so they don't have any excuse.

It might be extremely visible - but I don't want drivers wondering what it is they're approaching.

As a driver I find I get disorientated with bright lid mounted lights with either nothing or dim lights on the bars - it takes longer to discern what they are and where they're going (combination of height and lack of stability) - so can end up with a paniced manoeuvre before you've time to work out a rational one - yes - I've almost done an emergency stop when suddenly presented with bobbing bright lights in poor visibility - dark & raining - it didn't have any negative effect on anyone else purely because there was nobody else about.

There's a reason why we have laws on what lights should be used and even how roads should be used and that's so we all know what to expect and can act accordingly - once you move outside that, you start suprising people and a suprised person can act in a random manner which may not be the outcome you're intending.

I'm quite surpised that a UK company is allowed to sell lights in the UK that clearly do not conform to UK law.

* Regulations surrounding rear lighting for bicycles is a grey area in the UK and if you want to be absolutely certain of being within the law, then don’t use the TT mode

TT mode is the one with one flash green.
Having read the BC guide and Highway code - it clearly states White at the front and RED at the rear ... I don't see how that's in anyway grey ...