Comments on: Product recommendation—the front blinky light.

By: Scoot

Scoot — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 20:51:36 +0000

Although low-powered LEDs aren’t ideal, they do make you visible (and legal) for a low price. The legal piece is critical. Most state laws only require a front headlight and rear reflector. I recommend front and back lights, but the front are required by law. More crashes occur when a car turns across and oncoming cyclist than a car overtaking a cyclist from behind. If you don’t have a front light at very least get a blinkie, if not a high-output generator light or rechargeable one like the one mentioned by Alex above.

By: Urban Jeff

Urban Jeff — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 05:02:41 +0000

I have one of those, too. I should review it sometime…

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 21:45:47 +0000

I finally found the perfect commuting light - Light & Motion’s Vega. It’s not cheap, but it is bright, rechargeable and compact. And Light and Motion’s customer service is phenomenal.

http://www.bikelights.com/Products/vega.htm

By: Psychalist

Psychalist — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 09:15:33 +0000

I recently wrote about recognising the need for a flashing front light, (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Psychalist/~3/196254875/i-need-flasher-sorry-is-not-enough.html), but I was determined not to get a ‘wee blinky’ but something that can be seen way down the road by oncoming traffic. I got a 54 candle power light (3 LED) and I have noticed drivers being more cautious and waiting earlier than they did before I had it. I firmly believe these high power LED lights make a difference having seen it from both the cyclists and the driver’s perspective. I also use a conventional front light but adding this $25 (in the sale) flasher has made a difference.

By: icon o'classt

icon o'classt — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 15:11:55 +0000

Hmm…”spend the extra $10 for an actual headlight”? A headlight that costs about $20 isn’t going to be much more effective than a blinkie in illuminating the way if you’re traveling at a decent clip.

I agree that many cyclists travel “underlit”, but the minimum cost of a headlight that both lights up your path AND let’s motorist know you’re there is around $100, and it uses a battery that needs daily charging.

But yes, a good headlight is the way to go, if your coffer is sufficiently deep.

By: Stevil

Stevil — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 02:51:40 +0000

As 685 used to say, ‘drunk drivers cant hit what they cant see.’

By: eddiefel

eddiefel — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 22:14:36 +0000

Not arguing with you Bartender, but somebody needs to tell the folks barrelling around on narrow paths thinking they’re OK with a $10 white blinky as a front light that maybe, just maybe, they are underlit. I see them alriight,
but I know they can’t see where they are going. As a supplement to a solid flashlight or in well-lit traffic, maybe. But that’s not how I see people using them here in D.C.

Then again, they’re a step up from the folks who ride in stealth mode altogether.

By: Bartender

Bartender — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:23:10 +0000

eddiefel:

The post states the blinky can be used as a back-up if your headlight malfunctions, so it’s not a recomendation to use it as a primary lighting mechanism for nightime riding. Personaly, I have a Blackburn x3 on my commuter and use it in blinking mode for all my city riding. I find it’s plenty bright enough to light up the city streets, even when blinking. I can easily switch it to constant light when I go back some dark streets or into more remote roadways. I have noticed drivers are much more aware of me at all times with the blinky mode. Especially when I’m behind them. The blinking lights in their side and/or rear-view mirrors really gets their attention.

By: eddiefel

eddiefel — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:46:39 +0000

I may be alone in this, but the blinking front light is really ineffective. It doesn’t allow drivers to plot your speed, it doesn’t light up the road, and it annoys riders traveling in the opposite direction on paths.

I see riders every night poking along with their little white blinkies, unable to see where they are going. I can understand having a little non-flashing front light as some to-be-seen insurance, but too many people buy the white blinky as their main light. Why not spend the extra $10 for an actual headlight?

By: JoshG

JoshG — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:48:06 +0000

Good advice. I used to ride with only rear blinky lights, especially at dawn or dusk…but recently started using a front light that has a blink mode. I have noticed that it really helps cars at intersections and all the narrow streets here in new england.