Helmet-mounted blinky headlights

[dagamon]

Now that everyone is riding in the dark, the lights are out. If you must mount your light on your helmet, and you must keep it flashing on the bike trail, don’t look at me when I’m coming the other way.

I know some people really like having lights on their helmets, because whatever you look at is lit, but you are going to look at whoever is coming at you, and blind them, especially on the MUP’s.

And the flashing headlights do nothing to light your way, and only manage to annoy the other riders.

Topic

[Subby]

Ok.

[dagamon]

@Subby 127322 wrote:

Ok.

Agreed.

[Rootchopper]

Personally I have a much bigger problem with handlebar mounted lights that throw out a massive beam of light. I will, however, desist from using blinking light mode on the trails.

BTW it is not true that blinking mode is visually useless. I can see the trail ahead just fine with mine. One reason people use blinking mode is to preserve battery power. My light will work for days on blink mode.

[Vicegrip]

It is far harder to judge the speed of an oncoming blinking light. Solid light less obtrusive, is better for your forward vision and is better for oncoming traffic. I would rather charge up the light more often then be a nuisance or worse to countless oncoming riders.

[vern]

Hallelujah! The annual debate about what constitutes “good” and “bad” light has commenced!

[Terpfan]

Without wading too deep into the annual event, err debate, of lighting, I would simply offer the reminder that potentially blinding a rider on both sides may induce a collision. Some of us are silly and ride the MVT south Key Bridge to south of OT Alexandria. Unfortunately, that route pits vehicles to your right with very bright headlights. Oncoming riders with bright headlights take up the left where the rider is usually looking to escape the vehicular luminescent assault (ok, a little hyperbole, but still). Then again, it’s also our choice to ride that way.

I’ve actually been pleasantly surprised by the number of people turning the helmet or shifting the light right for approaching riders this year. May that trend continue.

Since the debate is started, can we also do a friendly reminder to have some form a light or reflective item on the person? The ninja riders scare me almost as much as the ninja runners.

[GovernorSilver]

Been considering using my helmet light in blinky mode in the mornings. Seems like daytime rather than the dark of night is the best time to use blinky mode, because that’s when you’re just trying to let motorists know you exist.

I’ll definitely be mindful of not using blinky mode at night – makes no sense to me either.

[PotomacCyclist]

@vern 127345 wrote:

Hallelujah! The annual debate about what constitutes “good” and “bad” light has commenced!

[Author]

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