http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Light wars en Sat, 27 Jun 2026 13:17:58 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118&page=2#post-16328 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:30:27 +0000 kaputnik 16328@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>TBC sold me one of his Stinger tail lights to act as my secondary tail-end charlie. I showed the old man who is an electrical and electronics engineer from the semiconductor industry who promptly went off on one about how it should be sold with a class 1 laser warning and not to look into it when it's flashing. I think that means he was impressed! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118&page=2#post-16326 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:27:47 +0000 Claggy Cog 16326@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I found a back light that had come off someone's bike and it is a serious bit of kit. I cobbled together a way of fixing it to my bike the other night and so used it for the first time. I had my usual rear light on my pannier, and this new one, which is the damage I have to say, it is very bright, but instead of drivers giving me a wide steer they seemed to come closer than usual, which was somewhat worrying and disconcerting. Was this due to their eyeballs being seared or possibly that they thought they could see me more clearly. I will never know the answer obviously but I was interested to note it had the reverse effect that I expected. Odd. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118&page=2#post-16108 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 15:00:28 +0000 spitfire 16108@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>was forced to drive last night, spotted a cyclist coming out of a junction I was about to turn into only because he had a helmet light on I could see above the parked cars </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118&page=2#post-16104 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:42:04 +0000 Arellcat 16104@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>my lights give out 'invisible photons'</em></p> <p>Is that like a torch that shines darkness? Point the beam into someone's eyes in the daytime, and they wouldn't be able to see anything. :-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-16101 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:37:39 +0000 Dave 16101@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Well, it's a bit different for me anyway. As I'm invisible, I can only conclude that my lights give out 'invisible photons' and therefore turning them off makes no difference ;-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-16084 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 10:41:15 +0000 spitfire 16084@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>*glare* </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-16080 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 10:31:04 +0000 Dave 16080@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I rode through the Meadows the other day without light, just for an experiment. It was quite interesting, think I may plump for a tiny knogg blinkie though to avoid the disapproving glares! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-16018 Thu, 04 Nov 2010 13:50:06 +0000 spitfire 16018@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I run my lights pointing at the ground approx 1.5 metres ahead of the front wheel, the flashing cat eye is straight ahead for drivers to see me when on roads, I will more than likely be switching it off when on the roseburn path in total darkness so save oncoming cyclists the pleasure </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-15991 Thu, 04 Nov 2010 10:40:25 +0000 Dave 15991@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'd suggest (if you dare) that crashing into someone who's blinding you on the canal towpath would be a memorable lesson.</p> <p>The simple solution would be to tax symmetric lights and rebate asymetric ones with the money raised. That would soon encourage manufacturers to offer both options (it's not rocket science - in fact it's literally school science). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-15985 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 23:04:06 +0000 Smudge 15985@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Well I couldn't possibly advocate using a laser as you really *could* damage someones eyes, however I do have access to one of these X0,000 candlepower spot beam lamps that people clip to riflescopes for night shooting, that could make someone very uncomfortable without actually doing them damage... ;-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-15982 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 21:32:05 +0000 chdot 15982@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Maybe we need to develop a superbright light for retaliation"</p> <p>One of those red ones?</p> <p>That go with rifles?? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-15981 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 21:29:22 +0000 Smudge 15981@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Arellcat, sympathies, had a similar problem a week or so ago. I'm all for bright lights but some people are just downright rude/dangerous :-(<br /> Maybe we need to develop a superbright light for retaliation, only needs to run for a minute or two but enough to make the ignorant realise what it feels like... (cue evil scientist laugh!) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-15975 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:47:34 +0000 kaputnik 15975@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Arrellcat - I suggest that you start cycling with one of those old-fangled mirror-on-the-head contraptions that cartoon doctors always seem to have - turn the man's weapon against him! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-15972 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:26:44 +0000 Arellcat 15972@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Just got home from work so I'm too tired to still be fuming, but if this was anyone from CCE, I'm sorry, but I'm going to say it anyway.</p> <p>The Union Canal is unlit at night, so naturally people will be using headlights on their bikes to see where they're going, and to spot all the unlit, unreflective pedestrians. We live in a world of little emergency blinking LED lights, some persisting halogen beams, and as Anth and Dave have ably demonstrated, very bright LEDs. That's fine and good, because we all like to light up what's in front because despite our eyes' ability to sensitise in low light conditions, we don't emit a nice handy glow like the little stars we stick to the ceilings of our little ones.</p> <p>But to the cyclist heading out of town along the towpath this evening, for crying out loud <strong>turn your superlaser deathray headlight off or point it somewhere other than straight ahead</strong>! As he approached, still a good 40 metres away, I was completely blinded, and the only thing I could do was hit the brakes and come to a dead stop, and cover my eyes. I was more polite in the event than I feel I should have been, but even so my exclamation elicited no response.</p> <p>The only information I could gather, while my retinas were burned away, was that it was a headlight approximately the size of the Lupine Betty 6. It was bloody arrogant.</p> <p>So my question is this: who (here or elsewhere) rides in the dark with two or more headlights, one set up to penetrate and illuminate, and one for visibility and grass verges? And with the ever increasing power of LED lights, when are manufacturers going to start including a dipped beam option and (B&amp;M Cyo R excepted) decent lens shapes? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-15314 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 11:05:44 +0000 chdot 15314@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://twitter.com/lillylyle/status/28775151192">From LillyLyle on Twitter</a></p> <p>"<br /> @CyclingEdin The ultra-bright bluish LED lights on a double-direction cycle path are wicked, you have to lift your hand to shield your eyes!</p> <p>" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-15312 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 10:06:40 +0000 chdot 15312@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This year's topic is head torches -</p> <p><a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1583" rel="nofollow">http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1583</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-1895 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:16:55 +0000 cb 1895@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I passed a cyclist (coming towards me) on Middle Meadow Walk last night who had a red light on the <em>front</em> of their bike. Now <em>that</em> was confusing.<br /> They did have a smaller white light attached to the helmet which helped a bit, but not much.<br /> When I first saw them it looked like a bike going in my direction that had moved out to overtake something - I'm glad I didn't take their lead and do the same!</p> <p>The next bike I passed had no lights, which left me wondering: which is worse, a red front light, or no front light? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-1340 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:29:37 +0000 chdot 1340@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Wisdom of this thread included in new Spokesworker</p> <p><a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=188" rel="nofollow">http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=188</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-765 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:51:28 +0000 spytfyre 765@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ah yes, the airhorn - useful when the Ferry Road/Roseburn path is full of an entire school of kids at 3.50....<br /> I have a flashing light for being seen, I *need* a decent solid light to see bricks on the path where the streetlights are out </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-750 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:07:57 +0000 Dave 750@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I guess a good analogy would be- I've never had a bell on any of my bikes (since I find it preferable just to say, "excuse me" if I have to). But there is certainly a sect amongst cyclists who think it's an outrage to ride without one. </p> <p>Does the same thing exist for bikes "which are trying to be cars" i.e. ride where street lighting is absent / insufficient? The day the clocks changed the street lights on the Roseburn path weren't on at all, but for me it was no problem. I did pass a few blinkie riders walking! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-747 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:57:49 +0000 Dave 747@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>To contrast my original point with 559's very sensible suggestions, I was once using my helmet mounted light (puncture necessitated using a different bike that I'd taken the bar mount off).</p> <p>Despite very deliberately actually looking at the verge to the left of my wheel, with no possible dazzling, I still got bawled at by two riders who felt I "shouldn't have bright lights". Both conspicuously had the sort of front lights that I might not even use as xmas tree decorations.</p> <p>Although it's possible they were both being dazzled by green reflections from the grass, I somewhat doubt it. It felt more like a complaint "on principle" (especially as I might pass perhaps 25 or more riders who feel the same light is not worth mentioning).</p> <p>As a recumbent rider I already bear the brunt of lights that people think they have pointed down... if I'm getting by, why can't they?</p> <p>It's no big deal - I just stay off the Roseburn path in the winter months. Which also saves on having to dodge suicidal commuters who insist on long head-on overtake attempts when I am descending the path at speed! I've only ever really wanted an airhorn for the Roseburn path ;-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-715 Sat, 12 Dec 2009 11:06:41 +0000 gembo 715@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This string is taking a very sensible turn now. When cycling in unlit areas you want to be able to see the path thus a Hope Vision super duper dazzler helps you no end. When cycling in lit areas you want your rear end lit up like a christmas tree with lots of very cheap wee lights from ASDA so that motorists driving home on their regular route with their brains in autopilot actually see you. Of course if you have splashed large on the bobby dazzler you will want to use it all the time so follow 559's very sensible advice thus avoiding frying the retinas of those coming the other way. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-703 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:25:35 +0000 chdot 703@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"When setting lights two simple rules should be adhered to.<br /> 1. Align lights slightly to your left<br /> 2. Tilt lights to shine about 5m in front of you<br /> These will ensure a courteous journey."</p> <p>Seems sensible to me</p> <p>thanks </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-702 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:23:14 +0000 559 702@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I object frequently to lights that are maladjusted or inappropriate for the Roseburn path.</p> <p>When setting lights two simple rules should be adhered to.<br /> 1. Align lights slightly to your left<br /> 2. Tilt lights to shine about 5m in front of you<br /> These will ensure a courteous journey.</p> <p>I note that some contributors compare cycle paths with roads, this is misleading in lighting terms.</p> <p>On roads the oncoming traffic is usually about 2 to 3m to your right (cycle paths 1m)</p> <p>Car lights are by law dipped and aligned slightly to their left. </p> <p>Whether the rider approaching you has no lights or little blinkies is of no importance. They are still entilted to complain if you dazzle them.</p> <p>If as cyclists we treat other users of a cycle path as we are often treated by motorists then, there is no point! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-595 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:39:03 +0000 IronLung 595@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>There's a great pair of lights made by Bell available in Asda which I think are amazing value. Front, 4xLED, £13, 4xAAA, steady or flash, great spread of light. Rear, triangular shaped multi-LED, £7, 2xAAA, steady or a variety of different flashing combinations, visible from afar. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-583 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:11:16 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 583@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hey Kim, not often on the road round that way - used to regularly commute in on the Innocent Path though. Got bored of it last week though and started taking different routes each morning! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-580 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:40:49 +0000 spytfyre 580@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>On the roseburn etc paths I find the streetlights provide me just enough visibility as the path is generally debris free but keep my LED lights on flash and aimed down, they are good at bouncing off street signs a good 200 yeards away so they must hurt the eyes. It does worry me the number of cyclists who have no lights whatsoever or cover their rear light with a mud guard or don't ring a bell to alert pedestrians of their approach. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-531 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:32:24 +0000 Kim 531@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Anth, do you often use that route? I was on a course last week and the trainer commented on seeing a cyclist with a very bright light on his way in that morning (round Arthur's Seat). He said he thought it was a motorbike at first and was surprised to see that it was a cyclist. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-529 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:16:57 +0000 SRD 529@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I was _very_ self-conscious on MMW tonight! But my lights definitely angle down, and I don't think they're that bright....But I really like the brightness heading across town and through the dodgy intersections... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=118#post-523 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:10:23 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 523@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm running a lovely new Hope Vision 1 and it's as bright as a very bright thing. I've been very conscious of angling it down slightly though. Not had any complaints (mind you, not taken it on the cyclepaths yet).</p> <p>It's brilliant on the un-streetlit areas, such as tonight when I go round the south bit of Arthur's Seat to pop home via the Sheep Heid. </p>