Stephen Harding wrote:
> In Europe (Germany I think), it's illegal to use blinking lights on your
> bike. You must use non-blinking ones.
>
> This is backed up by studies (Europeans do a lot more transportation by
> bike than Americans) that revealed blinking lights (tail lights) are
> more difficult to detect object motion, than with steady lights. You
> want motorists to realize there's something moving ahead of them,
> [hopefully] producing more caution in their approach.
I haven't seen studies, but from experience, I don't like blinking lights.
Yes, a blinking light is better at grabbing attention, but as a
motorist, I've noticed that when I'm approaching a bike with a blinking
tail light, the blinking makes it nearly impossible to tell how far away
the bike is, and how fast it's going. In my view, a blinking light is
appropriate only for a standing object.
Thus, on my own bike, I won't use a blinking light. As a cyclist (and I
do ride busy thoroughfares), I expect motorists to treat me as another
vehicle (with the same rights and responsibilities), and act accordingly.
I suppose something could be said for having both a blinking light and a
steady light, but to me, the blinking light draws attention away from
the steady light, and may negate the value of the steady light.
In the US, I believe that most states' vehicle codes require
non-blinking headlights.
Smith