What's your thoughts & suggestions?

[Nvreloader]

On the BRIGHTEST, auto brake light/turn signal combo for the rear of the bike.

While riding after dark (lot cooler temps), at 9pm last night,
I was very closely tailgated, nearly ran over via an auto,
I was giving the proper hand signals for slowing down and a right turn, and I thought,
I had bought the farm, due to the squealing tire sounds/honking horn,
car was turning the same way, there was NO escape path except a 10' deep canal.

My rear tail lite was on and flashing (normal night time operation) when out riding.

Any member use or recommend one?
Tia,
Don

 

[AHicks]

Reflective clothing?

 

[Tars Tarkas]

So did you go in the canal?!

Hard to tell, but it sounds like this a-hole was doing this on purpose or else he probably would have hit you. There's probably not a thing you can do except realize this kind of thing is very rare.

I use two taillights at night. One on constantly and one flashing, but really, there's no protection guaranteed to work against fools like this. Thank goodness the vast majority of people are careful, considerate, sane...

TT

 

[Alaskan]

The Nightrider Sentinal 250 is the best I have seen for enhancing visibility and being seen. It is really two lights in one. In addition to a 250 lumen tail light with a good variety of modes it has two lasers that lay down bright red lane lights about 12 feet long on the road on either side of your bike.

Sentinel™ 250 Bike Taillight with Laser Lanes

[av_textblock size='' font_color='' color=''] The Sentinelª 40 has a powerful 2 watt LED, 5 modes, is USB rechargeable and has a brand new safety feature, Laser Lanes! The Laser Lanes mode is designed to project ultra bright laser lines on the ground, giving the rider their own virtual lane. The...

www.niterider.com

It i

 

[J.R.]

Reflective Bands Ankle Bands Cycling Arm Reflector Bands Reflective Wrist Reflective Running Gear Running Reflective Bands for Cyclists Running Reflective Gear Biking Leg Strap Slap Bracelet Belt https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NT6HM87/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_i_AF5PHAZ75HMV6A207SZ2

I used these type (different brand) reflective bands for commuting.

 

[Nvreloader]

I also had my helmet light that was flashing, No, I just gritted my teeth,
and hit full throttle power to get around the corner and across the cement bridge,
over this canal.
I did not have my safety vest on, but will from now on.
I honestly believe that the car came into the turn a little hot and there I was,
they did not see me (why I don't know) with 2 flashing lites going on towards the back, and I had a white tee shirt on etc.

I did have this safety devise extending out the left side,

20220602_144350 hosted at ImgBB

My "Go to town safety flag". It really works, the motor vehicles give plenty of room now.

ibb.co

I am color blind and I can see it. The triangle flag shows very brightly during the night time.

Reason for wanting the information on the brightest flashing brake/turn signal tail lite for the back, to buy.

I have to add MORE FLASHING LITES to the back (I am thinking Red/Blue combo),
and adding strong Flashing turn signals, as I only had one hand on the bars,
when making/giving the hand signals before turning.

Tia,
Don

 

[Nvreloader]

Thanks Guys
I'll be checking those item out, asap.
Don

 

[Comfortably Numb]

The Nightrider Sentinal 250 is the best I have seen for enhancing visibility and being seen. It is really two lights in one. In addition to a 250 lumen tail light with a good variety of modes it has two lasers that lay down bright red lane lights about 12 feet long on the road on either side of your bike.

Sentinel™ 250 Bike Taillight with Laser Lanes

[av_textblock size='' font_color='' color=''] The Sentinelª 40 has a powerful 2 watt LED, 5 modes, is USB rechargeable and has a brand new safety feature, Laser Lanes! The Laser Lanes mode is designed to project ultra bright laser lines on the ground, giving the rider their own virtual lane. The...

www.niterider.com

It iore

I've never seen that one before. I was looking at the Cygolite ones. Thanks.
CN

 

[AHicks]

Blue Light

I have normal vision, but I have difficulty with blue lights at night.....

As a recreational pilot, I have to deal with blue runway lights on occasion (after dark), and as much as I want to see them, it's a stuggle at best.

Point being, blue would be my LAST choice for good visibility.

 

[Nvreloader]

Thanks Guys
Al
The reason I went with the Blue color is because I know I am color blind,
Red, Green, Brown, and Grey, and a lot of others are also, but I can see Blue very nicely,
I was after a color that would stand out as compared to Red/Yellow vehicle lights and other back ground lights etc.
Just attempting to find the best = BRIGHTEST solution, to maybe prevent what happen last night from occurring again.
Rome
Thanks,
I am thinking real hard about possible solutions........to be seen at night.

It's getting so, I don't want to ride any more around here, this the 4th close call,
I have had in the less than 4 months...........and this is NOT a big city with lots of vehicles.
I hate to think what Reno is like.............riding up there.
Tia,
Don

 

[J.R.]

Blue Light

Blue lights are actually against every state DOT code. Cops on bikes and motorcycles use blue lights. I have a friend that tried to fight a blue light ticket on a motorcycle and the judge found him guilty and told him nothing on the street can have a blue light.

If you Google the question "can I use blue lights on a bicycle" you'll get pages of laws and blogs. Just one example from Florida Bicycle Law (.org).

Question​

Frank asked: Is it legal or illegal to have blue lights on your bike? I have red white and blue and I don’t want to get in any trouble over it.

Answer​

Certain lights and reflectors are required on a bicycle and additional lights may be used.

s. 316.2065 – Bicycle Regulations
(7) Every bicycle in use between sunset and sunrise shall be equipped with a lamp on the front exhibiting a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and a lamp and reflector on the rear each exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of 600 feet to the rear. A bicycle or its rider may be equipped with lights or reflectors in addition to those required by this section. A law enforcement officer may issue a bicycle safety brochure and a verbal warning to a bicycle rider who violates this subsection or may issue a citation and assess a fine for a pedestrian violation as provided in s. 318.18. The court shall dismiss the charge against a bicycle rider for a first violation of this subsection upon proof of purchase and installation of the proper lighting equipment..

Blue lights are not permitted on any vehicle.

s. 316.2397 – Certain Lights Prohibited; Exceptions
(1) No person shall drive or move or cause to be moved any vehicle or equipment upon any highway within this state with any lamp or device thereon showing or displaying a red or blue light visible from directly in front thereof except for certain vehicles hereinafter provided.
(2) It is expressly prohibited for any vehicle or equipment, except police vehicles, to show or display blue lights.

 

[J.R.]

I have had them on my ebikes. I am not a cop since you brought it to my attention I can't claim ignorance on my part for having blue lights. Shame on me for blatantly breaking the law.
Cops here are cool with it not once I was told to not use it. I was stopped once on my early commute to work at one of the few crossings before going on the bike path while it was still dark. Not for the blue light but for going through a red traffic light. Officer ask for drivers license and ordered me to obey traffic laws. Then I carried on, no traffic ticket.

I'm not suggesting you change anything and likely 9 of 10 cops wouldn't even know. I wouldn't know if I hadn't been told by a friend. Makes sense, especially in cities where there are bike cops.

 

[m@Robertson]

Unfortunately, blinkers to indicate a directional turn are just not going to work on a bicycle that is trying to get a result from overtaking autos - here in the USA at least where the closing speeds are considerable. The ineffectiveness of the directional blinker is for a couple of reasons. If the light is part of a single unit on the seatpost, the issue is an oncoming auto at speed is just going to see a blinking light. The driver doesn't have the time to process the light and the arrow and the fact the arrow is on the left side of that (to them) really small light fixture under your seat. Unfortunately also... and this is more of a USA thing, an auto driver most likely considers themselves to have primacy on the road and they aren't going to take a blinker seriously. Making a signal and then taking the lane to make a left turn for instance, can result in squealing brakes and a lot of anger from a driver. Been there and done that.

I tried to get around the side-separation issue with a product called Winglights that go on as bar-ends. Long story short they didn't work. Very bright but drivers don't seem to expect directional blinkers on a bike, and they certainly didn't respect them.

Getting past the use of blinking lights as blinkers, I still use them as part of a taillight solution. BUT... because research shows that blinking lights make it more difficult for an overtaking driver to measure/ gauge your progress I use more than one light. One blinker in the center and two bright solids on the sides. A Knog Big Cobber can issue a bright momentary blink that is up to 470 lumens. A Knog Blinder Square can put out 100 lumens.

And notice how I put a piece of turned-up aluminum flat bar on the rack? That bar is lined with 3M prismatic (street sign) tape for a big red passive reflector.

I laid out other options here. Not the least of which are lights that use interruptive blink modes designed for hi visibility while at the same time preventing a moth effect.

Which Rear Bicycle Lights Should I use?

Should you use blinking lights? Steady lights? Bright lights? Daytime lights? Here’s what I do and why.

talesontwowheels.com

 

[m@Robertson]

oh and also... if you are serious about riding frequently at night get yourself one of these. I have had drivers literally stop dead in front of me rather than turning across my path and just stare. Which beats the hell out of being t-boned. I've also had drivers roll down their windows and ask wtf is that jacket made of? Because it is one freakishly bright, radioactive silver reflector, and people are just flat out amazed by it. The pics don't do it justice in the Amazon page. The user review with the picture is actually mine.

https://amzn.to/3KI8h7P

 

[RockhopperMidwest]

^ The pro-vis clothing is amazing at night

 

[Solarcabin]

Most people don't even understand hand signals and at night they are pretty much useless.

I got turn signals for my ebike and that has helped a lot. You can put one on front and back and one remote controls both.

OTYTY Bike Tail Light with Turn Signals, USB Rechargeable Ultra Bright LED Safety Warning Bike Brake Rear Lights, Wireless Remote Control, 4 Modes

 

[J.R.]

Most people don't even understand hand signals and at night they are useless.

Having taught the experienced motorcycle safety course for years I can tell you this is 100% wrong. Statistics prove it's wrong. Hand signals are often more effective than blinkers, the movement alone of a person attracts attention. And to suggest a person in an automobile at night with headlights on cannot see a riders hand signals is silly. Any of us that drive know this is silly. It's a safety precaution that has saved countless lives. The addition of high viz clothing makes it even more effective. It's bad advice to suggest hand signals are useless. Promote the accessories you like, but don't promote false information.

 

[Solarcabin]

Having taught the experienced motorcycle safety course for years I can tell you this is 100% wrong. Statistics prove it's wrong. Hand signals are often more effective than blinkers, the movement alone of a person attracts attention. And to suggest a person in an automobile at night with headlights on cannot see a riders hand signals is silly. Any of us that drive know this is silly. It's a safety precaution that has saved countless lives. The addition of high viz clothing makes it even more effective. It's bad advice to suggest hand signals are useless. Promote the accessories you like, but don't promote false information.

Right, that is why all street motorcycles are required to have turn signals.

Using hand signals requires that you take a hand off the bars making you less stable and safe and requires that the other drivers understand the signal and not think you are waving, pointing or just stretching your arm.

This is just another attempt to turn the topic in to your personal argument and I am not wasting my time and I have better things to do on my weekend evening.

Are motorcycles required to have turn signals?
According to traffic laws, motorcycles are required to be equipped with at least one headlight, one taillight, a brake light, a registration plate light, rear reflectors, and turn signal lights. … Just like any other motorized vehicle, a motorcycle operator must use a signal before turning or making a lane change.
Источник: https://edgehd.net/motorbike/what-year-did-turn-signals-become-mandatory-on-motorcycles.html

 

[J.R.]

Right, that is why all street motorcycles are required to have turn signals.

Using hand signals requires that you take a hand off the bars making you less stable and safe and requires that the other drivers understand the signal and not think you are waving, pointing or just stretching your arm.

This is just another attempt to turn the topic in to your personal argument and I am not wasting my time and I have better things to do on my weekend evening.

Are motorcycles required to have turn signals?
According to traffic laws, motorcycles are required to be equipped with at least one headlight, one taillight, a brake light, a registration plate light, rear reflectors, and turn signal lights. … Just like any other motorized vehicle, a motorcycle operator must use a signal before turning or making a lane change.
Источник: https://edgehd.net/motorbike/what-year-did-turn-signals-become-mandatory-on-motorcycles.html

USDOT, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Motorcycle Safety Foundation, the American Medical Association, the American Trauma Society, the American Motorcycle Association are all wrong. Good to know.

A short list of some of the organizations that contribute to the MSF curriculum.

 

[Nvreloader]

OK Guys
I can see the making of WHIZZING contest starting up, can we keep the information relevant to BICYCLE TAIL LITES/TURN SIGNALS etc, this post is not about motorcycles unless YOUR HOME STATE classifies bicycle/ebikes as motorcycles or a motor vehicle etc.

Nevada Bicycle laws : This is what I have to go by, a bicycle/ebike in NV is not a motor vehicle, and I can not find any limitations for light colors for bicycles/ebikes, so far,
but must follow common basic vehicle laws when on the roadway etc.

https://www.dot.nv.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/3682/636186152018370000

Thanks for the info on the different items, I am looking thru all this info.
I like that jacket.......you be seen in that..................LOL

Thanks to all
Don