Blinking Bicycle Lamps.

[sandyRoe]

Walking my dog before daybreak this morning I saw two cyclists coming towards me. They had bright flashing lamps on the front of their bikes.
Sometimes a television news report will come with a warning of flashing lights, probably to allow anyone susceptible to epilepsy to take precautions. Could the bicycle lamps trigger an epileptic episode in someone prone to them?

[ivor4781]

they dont flash on the frequency to cause that

[Sqad]

Photosensitive epilepsy in epileptics is, in my opinion vastly overplayed and accounts for less than 3% of all epileptics.

In answer to your question.......they might.......but extremely unlikely.

[RATTER15]

Like sqad says^^^^

[RATTER15]

I also think these flashing lights are illegal unless they are also displaying a solid light as well.

[bhg481]

I think flashing lights are supposed to fixed on the person, steady lights on the bike. I'm not sure that flashing lights are legal on their own, as Ratter says, but I think a blind-eye is turned on the grounds that they are better than nothing, (which is what many cyclists use) and that flashing lights catch the attention better than steady lights.

[gness]

I cycle lots at night and use my light to see the road in front of me as well as making me visible......can't see how flashing lights work on the front of the bike.....?

I have two red lights on the back of my bike....and a set of static Christmas lights.....but still motorists seem to not see me.......... :-(

[bhg481]

You need to be seen my motorists coming towards you gness, otherwise they may cut across you to turn right.

[gness]

Thank you, Bhg......though I like the light I have to see in front of me clearly......

Must admit I've been getting a wider berth from over takers since adding the Christmas lights......perhaps a set for the front too?.....☺

[sandyRoe]

Gness, do the Xmas twinkle?

[sandyRoe]

Xmas lights twinkle^^^

[gness]

No, Sandy......just a string of little flowers that stay on......x

[SlackAlice]

Flashing rear lights are legal, do not need a solid rear light

http://www.towsure.com/cycle_lighting

[sandyRoe]

You should get a set of the twinklers. They'd be more eye catching.

[gness]

Hmmm....I think from Slack's info my Christmas lights should be red....will find some red twinklers, Sandy.......
I also have a light on my back pack.....suppose that should be red too.....I'll look like a cycling Christmas tree soon......☺

[bhg481]

Interesting Slackalice - it looks like the rules have been updated since I last looked at them (I ride my bike very rarely nowadays and never in the dark.

[sandyRoe]

And one for the top of your crash helmet.

[SlackAlice]

I am only referring to the rear lights. The front light must a solid white light, although you can have additional flashing ones.

I hesitate to criticise gness on her mobile display ☺☺☺

[gness]

I do have a little mining light for my head, Sandy.....

Slack......I realised I couldn't be seen with just my usual lights.....the dayglo pink jacket and wrist and ankle reflectors....... and the bright pink helmet... so I added to it.....

Works well from the rear.....not getting motorists squishing me as I overtake a parked car now.....but still they pull out in front of me......x

[bhg481]

Your link says that front lights may also be flashing, Slackalice.

[SlackAlice]

gness

upload a photo to tinypic please. ☺☺☺

Quite agree how invisible you are to cardrivers if your riding a bike