New B&M Lights with Wide Beam and Daytime Mode Available

John B. writes:

On Fri, 15 Nov 2013 08:35:32 -0800 (PST), Frank Krygowski
wrote:

On Friday, November 15, 2013 12:05:19 AM UTC-5, Peter Howard wrote:

I got myself one of these.

http://www.amazon.com/ACTION-HORN-SI.../dp/B00196KE64

It really shifts dog walkers, pram pushers and pavement pounders on the
shared paths.

Interestingly, sirens are specifically prohibited on bicycles in my state. I suspect that's true in most U.S. states as well.

- Frank Krygowski

I think that they are in most places. After all when you designate
something to identify emergency vehicles you don't want every Tom,
Dick and Harry to use them.

Like flashing lights 8-).

--
Joe Riel

On 11/15/2013 5:31 PM, Joe Riel wrote:
John B. writes:

On Fri, 15 Nov 2013 08:35:32 -0800 (PST), Frank Krygowski
wrote:

On Friday, November 15, 2013 12:05:19 AM UTC-5, Peter Howard wrote:

I got myself one of these.

http://www.amazon.com/ACTION-HORN-SI.../dp/B00196KE64

It really shifts dog walkers, pram pushers and pavement pounders on the
shared paths.

Interestingly, sirens are specifically prohibited on bicycles in my state. I suspect that's true in most U.S. states as well.

- Frank Krygowski

I think that they are in most places. After all when you designate
something to identify emergency vehicles you don't want every Tom,
Dick and Harry to use them.

Like flashing lights 8-).

A flashing red rear tail light long ago became the identifying
characteristic of a bicycle at night, at least in most countries, and it
was made legal where it was illegal (though even when it was illegal it
was not enforced). Now a flashing front white light is fast becoming the
identifying characteristic of a bicycle in the daytime, at least in the
U.S..

I think that the popularity of flashing front daytime lights on bicycles
grew out of a merging of flashing tail lights on bicycles and daytime
running lights on motor vehicles. Someone decided that a) bicycles would
benefit from DRLs just like vehicles benefit and b) why not flash the
front light just like the rear light. It's been a win-win for everyone,
both motorists and cyclists.

On Fri, 15 Nov 2013 17:31:55 -0800, Joe Riel wrote:

John B. writes:

On Fri, 15 Nov 2013 08:35:32 -0800 (PST), Frank Krygowski
wrote:

On Friday, November 15, 2013 12:05:19 AM UTC-5, Peter Howard wrote:

I got myself one of these.

http://www.amazon.com/ACTION-HORN-SI.../dp/B00196KE64

It really shifts dog walkers, pram pushers and pavement pounders on the
shared paths.

Interestingly, sirens are specifically prohibited on bicycles in my state. I suspect that's true in most U.S. states as well.

- Frank Krygowski

I think that they are in most places. After all when you designate
something to identify emergency vehicles you don't want every Tom,
Dick and Harry to use them.

Like flashing lights 8-).

No! No! You don't understand. MY flashing lights are a safety function
:-)
--
Cheers,

John B.

sms wrote:
A flashing red rear tail light long ago became the identifying
characteristic of a bicycle at night, at least in most countries,
and it was made legal where it was illegal

No, but who expected you to know or stay to the truth...


--
Best regards
helmut springer panta rhei

On 11/16/2013 4:59 AM, Helmut Springer wrote:
sms wrote:
A flashing red rear tail light long ago became the identifying
characteristic of a bicycle at night, at least in most countries,
and it was made legal where it was illegal

No, but who expected you to know or stay to the truth...

LOL, are you trying to say that a flashing red rear tail light is _not_
the de-facto identifying characteristic of a bicycle at night? Or are
you trying to say that it was not made legal in places where it was
previously illegal?

Sorry, but you can't deny the former, but perhaps I should not have said
"most countries," but instead have said "most large countries."

Maybe next time try to provide some details and references when you
dispute something. It would help your credibility.

On 16/11/2013 13:28, sms wrote:
On 11/16/2013 4:59 AM, Helmut Springer wrote:
sms wrote:
A flashing red rear tail light long ago became the identifying
characteristic of a bicycle at night, at least in most countries,
and it was made legal where it was illegal

No, but who expected you to know or stay to the truth...

LOL, are you trying to say that a flashing red rear tail light is _not_
the de-facto identifying characteristic of a bicycle at night?

Where you are isn't a flashing red rear tail light (could one have a
front tail light?) an identifying characteristic of a car signalling to
turn?

(We've got separate amber lights for that).

On Sat, 16 Nov 2013 05:28:03 -0800, sms
wrote:

On 11/16/2013 4:59 AM, Helmut Springer wrote:
sms wrote:
A flashing red rear tail light long ago became the identifying
characteristic of a bicycle at night, at least in most countries,
and it was made legal where it was illegal

No, but who expected you to know or stay to the truth...

LOL, are you trying to say that a flashing red rear tail light is _not_
the de-facto identifying characteristic of a bicycle at night? Or are
you trying to say that it was not made legal in places where it was
previously illegal?

Sorry, but you can't deny the former, but perhaps I should not have said
"most countries," but instead have said "most large countries."

Maybe next time try to provide some details and references when you
dispute something. It would help your credibility.

Wiki search for Flashing Red Lights turned up the following:

Australia:
Red signifies a risk-to-life situation,[9] and is used alone by Mines
Rescue, Red Cross blood/organ transport and St John Ambulance Service.

Canada:
Red: fire department, other "non-police" law enforcement in the
provinces of ON and QC and search and rescue vehicles in BC.

Sweden:
Red Swedish police use a forward-facing red light to indicate that a
driver must pull over and stop. Fire vehicles use a red light to
designate the command post.

Hong Kong:
Red only: Fire Services Department fire engines.

New Zealand:
Red: Used by any vehicle defined as an emergency vehicle to signify
vehicles to give way to the emergency vehicle. This includes the New
Zealand Fire Service, recognized ambulance services, and the New
Zealand Police.

South Korea:
Red: Fire department, ambulances of the Gyeongi province, some police
vehicles.

U.S.A.:
Red almost always denotes an emergency vehicle if the lights are
facing forward. In the state of Iowa, red lights can also be used on a
funeral hearse, but only during funerals. In Washington State, red
lights are also used on tow trucks, but only if the vehicle is not in
motion. In Wisconsin, tow trucks are required to be equipped with red
lights but such lights may be operated only when the tow truck is
standing on or near the traveled portion of a highway preparatory to
towing or servicing a disabled vehicle. A near universal exception to
this rule is school buses which are allowed to use rear and forward
facing, usually alternatively phased flashing red lights just before,
during, and after passenger loading & unloading as a signal for all
other traffic to stop.

--
Cheers,

John B.

On 11/16/2013 9:22 PM, John B. wrote:
On Sat, 16 Nov 2013 05:28:03 -0800, sms
wrote:

On 11/16/2013 4:59 AM, Helmut Springer wrote:
sms wrote:
A flashing red rear tail light long ago became the identifying
characteristic of a bicycle at night, at least in most countries,
and it was made legal where it was illegal

No, but who expected you to know or stay to the truth...

LOL, are you trying to say that a flashing red rear tail light is _not_
the de-facto identifying characteristic of a bicycle at night? Or are
you trying to say that it was not made legal in places where it was
previously illegal?

Sorry, but you can't deny the former, but perhaps I should not have said
"most countries," but instead have said "most large countries."

Maybe next time try to provide some details and references when you
dispute something. It would help your credibility.

Wiki search for Flashing Red Lights turned up the following:

LOL, automatic F if you cite Wikipedia as a source in a research paper.

Australia:

"Flashing lights are more visible than steady lights. Steady lights used
to see should be supplemented with flashing lights so that others see you"

http://www.bwa.org.au/

Canada:

"Flashing red rear lights are also acceptable."
http://www.bikesense.bc.ca/Bike_Sense-Nov05.pdf

UK:

"If capable of emitting only a flashing light, it must emit at least 4
candela."

http://www.ctc.org.uk/cyclists-library/regulations/lighting-regulations

New Zealand

"One or more steady or flashing rear-facing red lights that can be seen
at night from a distance of 100 metres."

http://www.gw.govt.nz/

Couldn't find anything about South Korea or Sweden, but it would be
surprising if flashing LED lights were prohibited. What you posted was
laws regarding motor vehicles. But you knew that.

On Sun, 17 Nov 2013 02:05:27 -0800, sms
wrote:

On 11/16/2013 9:22 PM, John B. wrote:
On Sat, 16 Nov 2013 05:28:03 -0800, sms
wrote:

On 11/16/2013 4:59 AM, Helmut Springer wrote:
sms wrote:
A flashing red rear tail light long ago became the identifying
characteristic of a bicycle at night, at least in most countries,
and it was made legal where it was illegal

No, but who expected you to know or stay to the truth...

LOL, are you trying to say that a flashing red rear tail light is _not_
the de-facto identifying characteristic of a bicycle at night? Or are
you trying to say that it was not made legal in places where it was
previously illegal?

Sorry, but you can't deny the former, but perhaps I should not have said
"most countries," but instead have said "most large countries."

Maybe next time try to provide some details and references when you
dispute something. It would help your credibility.

Wiki search for Flashing Red Lights turned up the following:

LOL, automatic F if you cite Wikipedia as a source in a research paper.

Australia:

"Flashing lights are more visible than steady lights. Steady lights used
to see should be supplemented with flashing lights so that others see you"

http://www.bwa.org.au/

Ah yes, "Bicycling Western Australia is a community based,
not-for-profit organisation representing the interests of all
recreational bike riders"

Be real. I quoted from the Wiki article that was outlining government
rules and laws and you rebut by quoting a bunch of civilians without a
shred of legality.



Canada:

"Flashing red rear lights are also acceptable."
http://www.bikesense.bc.ca/Bike_Sense-Nov05.pdf

UK:

"If capable of emitting only a flashing light, it must emit at least 4
candela."

http://www.ctc.org.uk/cyclists-library/regulations/lighting-regulations

New Zealand

"One or more steady or flashing rear-facing red lights that can be seen
at night from a distance of 100 metres."

http://www.gw.govt.nz/

Couldn't find anything about South Korea or Sweden, but it would be
surprising if flashing LED lights were prohibited. What you posted was
laws regarding motor vehicles. But you knew that.
--
Cheers,

John B.

On 11/17/2013 3:59 AM, John B. wrote:
On Sun, 17 Nov 2013 02:05:27 -0800, sms
wrote:

On 11/16/2013 9:22 PM, John B. wrote:
On Sat, 16 Nov 2013 05:28:03 -0800, sms
wrote:

On 11/16/2013 4:59 AM, Helmut Springer wrote:
sms wrote:
A flashing red rear tail light long ago became the identifying
characteristic of a bicycle at night, at least in most countries,
and it was made legal where it was illegal

No, but who expected you to know or stay to the truth...

LOL, are you trying to say that a flashing red rear tail light is _not_
the de-facto identifying characteristic of a bicycle at night? Or are
you trying to say that it was not made legal in places where it was
previously illegal?

Sorry, but you can't deny the former, but perhaps I should not have said
"most countries," but instead have said "most large countries."

Maybe next time try to provide some details and references when you
dispute something. It would help your credibility.

Wiki search for Flashing Red Lights turned up the following:

LOL, automatic F if you cite Wikipedia as a source in a research paper.

Australia:

"Flashing lights are more visible than steady lights. Steady lights used
to see should be supplemented with flashing lights so that others see you"

http://www.bwa.org.au/

Ah yes, "Bicycling Western Australia is a community based,
not-for-profit organisation representing the interests of all
recreational bike riders"

Be real. I quoted from the Wiki article that was outlining government
rules and laws and you rebut by quoting a bunch of civilians without a
shred of legality.

No you didn't. You quoted a bunch of irrelevant rules and laws from a
source that anyone can modify for their own purposes and ignored all the
actual laws. That's the kind of thing that Frank does, you should try to
be above that if you want to have any credibility. And of course you
didn't respond to any of the other cites I provided.

But on to Australia...

bwa.org was simply restating the laws of Australia. Maybe you'll like
this cite better http://www.ntc.gov.au/filemedia/Reports/ARRFeb12.pdf:

-------------
The rider of a bicycle must not ride at night, or in hazardous weather
conditions causing reduced visibility, unless the bicycle, or the rider,
displays:

(a) a flashing or steady white light that is clearly visible for at
least 200 metres from the front of the bicycle; and

(b) a flashing or steady red light that is clearly visible for at least
200 metres from the rear of the bicycle; and

(c) a red reflector that is clearly visible for at least 50 metres from
the rear of the bicycle when light is projected onto it by a vehicle's
headlight on low-beam.
-------------

Wow it explicitly allows flashing front lights as well as flashing rear
lights. (section 259 on page 233)

The bottom line is that all experts agree that flashing lights make you
much more visible on a bicycle, both day and night. That a few countries
have laws that haven't caught up with this reality is sad, but it takes
time for laws to be changed. No doubt Germany will eventually change
their laws on bicycle lighting as well, though you and I may not be
around by then. In the meantime, don't let stubbornness cloud your
reality and cause you to needlessly endanger yourself while riding. Take
advantage of the technology that's available to you to make yourself
more conspicuous no matter what StVZO says.