Recommend me a bicycle light

[Deleted User]

vikingaero wrote: »

Even BS6102/3 has been superceded in 2005 where a BS light isn't required if you have a light fitted on your body/bag.

Not true. Alot of people are confused about the 2005 legislation, including Cateye until I reported them to Trading Standards in 2006.

People confuse the difference between what's prohibited and what's compulsory, they're not the same. Pre 2005, using flashing lights was prohibited day or night, now it no longer is. It's always been compulsory to use an "approved" light after dark, and it still is, it's just that the police don't bother enforcing the law. What the manufacturers do is beside the point, the law refers to what's used on the bike not what's put on sale.

For the purpose of the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations an approved light is defined as one that meets either:

a) BS6102/3
b) Statutory Instrument 2559 (The 2005 revision)
c) An equivalent European specification.

Taking last first, there are no European specifications which are directly equivalent to BS6102/3, and there have been no test cases to establish which ones are legally deemed close enough.

SI2559 was introduced to cater for flashing lights. It only relates to lamps which have no continuous mode, and thus can't be tested to BS6102/3 (which has no provision for flashing). To my knowledge, there are no such lamps on the market, they all are dual mode flashing/continuous, and thus SI2559 is irrelevant.

That just leaves BS6102/3, which is just as compulsory as it's ever been. As I mentioned above, even Cateye hadn't bothered reading the legislation properly, their boxes used to claim that their lamps conform to SI2559, but since I informed Trading Standards they now say that they must be used in conjunction with an approved lamp.

The risk you run is not from the police, but if you end up in a wheelchair. In that case the motorists defence barrister wil be crawling all over your bike looking for any excuse he can find not to pay compensation.

And finally....

I said bear in mind that you're supposed to have approved lights, my lights are not approved either, but at least that's an informed decision.

mynameisclare

jack_pott wrote: »

SI2559 was introduced to cater for flashing lights. It only relates to lamps which have no continuous mode, and thus can't be tested to BS6102/3 (which has no provision for flashing). To my knowledge, there are no such lamps on the market, they all are dual mode flashing/continuous, and thus SI2559 is irrelevant.

I have seen flashing lights (eg Reelight) that don't have continous mode, but they're foreign brands so presumably still don't count as they won't have been tested to British standards.

thelawnet

I would look for a the light that would best keep me out of a wheelchair. If it's not BS-approved, so be it.

[Deleted User]

thelawnet wrote: »

I would look for a the light that would best keep me out of a wheelchair. If it's not BS-approved, so be it.

My philosophy too. I'm relying on countering any defence barrister by challenging him to demonstrate that my unapproved light is performs less well than an approved one in some way that is material to the cause of the accident.

Seems reasonable to me, but I'm not a lawyer.....

mttylad

If your going to buy a new light please do not get a flashing one.

They are pants!

redboy1

After a bit of research i opted for an ultrafire 502b with a u2 emitter. Also went for the 2 xtar batteries and charger.
http://www.candb-seen.co.uk/flashlightstorches/cabs-flash502b-ultrafire.html


Superb light and more than lights my way down unlit country lanes on medium.
I have just bought a new charger though which charges li-lon and AA, AAA http://www.torchdirect.co.uk/lithium-ion-battery-chargers/nitecore-intellicharge-i4-li-ion-ni-mh-battery-charger.html

mcculloch29

I ride an adult's trike and lights have always been a bit of a worry. I usually put my red rear light on flash mode as I figure it's more likely to be seen. I'm pleased it is no longer illegal, thanks for that info.

For the front, I have two lights, one rechargeable with a solar panel and the other a wind-up one. I find that the solar panel doesn't do a lot of recharging, tbh. The wind up front light was connected to a rear light as well but the cable wasn't long enough for a trike so the cable and rear light were disconnected.
The rechargeable light with solar panel was from a newspaper offer - in the future I probably wouldn't bother with the extra expense of a solar panel and would just use rechargeable batteries. The wind - up light is 'insurance' against the lights fading as I cycle home.
I also have a selection of light reflective armbands, plus my reflective vest. Short of a light-up cycle helmet there's not much more I can do to be visible.

cinderfella

Dealextreme have a great variety of led lights for either putting on your helmet or the front of your bike or preferably both.
What is equally important is not being confrontational with oncoming motorists. You can normally fix your helmet in such a fashion so that the visor blocks oncoming blinding light by just looking slightly down. Keeps cycling a happy event.:j

ventureuk

If you want a budget rear red light which is brighter than the sun then buy this.

http://dx.com/p/ultrafire-wf-501b-philips-luxeon-k2-red-led-flashlight-1-18650-2-cr123a-20333

I have one attached to my rucksack shining onto the back of my bike and the road a couple of feet behind the bike.

The entire rear of the bike is illuminated in bright red light, I am visible from hundreds of yards away and there is no doubt that traffic gives me a wider berth than when I just have the Smart Superflash going. Also easily visible in daylight.

It's a torch so DO NOT have it angled directly back at traffic, it is seriously/dangerously bright but is perfect angled down at the road attached to luggage or a rucksack.

Best quote from the reviews has to be makes my yard look like a set for a vampire movie. My neighbor, the church, looks like Hell-mouth when lighted with this. Sweet.

£7.20 delivered, you need an 18650 battery and a charger.

Any other rear red light is just not worth the bother.

stevemcol

Tobster86 wrote: »

A 'flash' function that will allow me to [STRIKE]warn drivers of the scamera van that occasionally parks up in the villiage[/STRIKE] let other road users know I'm there would also be useful.

I wouldn't bother with that. The sentiment is admirable but if a cyclist was coming towards me flashing his front light, it just wouldn't occur that he was warning about a speed trap. (and I am a motorist and a cyclist).