Is it time to start calling out bad cyclists?

It's really annoying / dangerous to be blinded by someone's headlights. Maybe you should have a look at your own lights to see if this person maybe had a point. (Or course they might well have been whining unnescessarily, I wasn't there.)

If they had small flashing 'be seen' lights that wouldn't have made much difference to them being blinded.

This.

I wish drivers would have at least the sense to dip their headlights, rather than casting daylight on well lit city roads for half a mile. #blindblindingtheblind

^ bonus of being able to thrust it angrily in drivers' faces when they cut you up then get out to assault you. Might supplement with a pitchfork for good measure.

Why not flaming pitchfork?

because that would be ridiculous

This whole brighter and brighter war we seem to have going on with car headlights and now sadly bike lights reminds me somewhat of the loudness war. Since xenon and LEDs and all that whatnot came in for cars the govt really should have had a proper crackdown on what is acceptable brightness. It's way too late for that now though, unfortunately, so we get situations like this

This is a good point. No matter how good reflectors or bike lights are they have to compete against a background of other strong light sources. Thirty or more years ago it was common (or so I'm told, I'm not quite that old yet) to see people driving using only sidelights on well lit urban roads or even motorways. And then there were dim-dip lights for a while. Streetlamps were dimmer too. Nowadays your low light vision is pretty much permanently shot.

Why not flaming pitchfork?

None available with BS kitemarks on them.

I'd probably refrain from using it as a condom, kitemark or not.

TBF I might try it once.

Spikey and flaming, for whose pleasure?

Yes it's totally ridiculous! As cyclists we're all trying to out-bright each other (and the cars), when all we really need in city streets is to be seen.

And even in pitch black in the countryside my Sturmey Archer Dynohub lights the road ahead enough for me to see where I'm going. All 1.8 watts of it. Sadly the way things are now that's probably not bright enough for a car coming the other way to notice me, because it won't be expecting something so dimly - but adequately for its purpose of lighting the road ahead - lit.

It's more the proliferation of unfocused/undirected beams from cheap lights (although some very expensive lights have exactly the same problem). To avoid dazzling other road users they have to be pointed down so close to the front wheel that they're next to useless for lighting up the road ahead.

I prefer something with huge light output but with appropriate mirrors/lenses to keep it mostly on the road ahead and not up into the eyes of drivers/pedestrians/cyclists. Lights like the Busch & Müller dynohub lights such as the IQ Fly or Luxos series.

I was partly glad that my dynohub powered Solidlights were stolen as they were simply too bright for an unfocused beam after being upgraded to the latest emitters (in the XB2 upgrade) and I was close to replacing them anyway.

The edelux is amazing for this, massive spotlight on road with huge cut out for preventing other from being dazzled.

While still mounted 100% horizontal.

@BobbyBriggs @winnired1849 my lights are dipped by about 20-30 degrees, it puts out more in the spalsh/side view than some lights from any viewpoint. It's pretty easy for me to tell if it's dipped or not as the way I have it setup I move the light down so it has a shadow from the wheel and then up slowly till the shadow goes and then it's positioned correctly. The window ledge is level with the bars another bikes length away so you know.

Just right.

Too far.

I agree it's partly a brightness war but at the other end of the scale they are either not visible or smidsy viable to drivers pulling out of turns. Can't say I agree with snottyotter about going in with strangers poorly equiped.

Many car drivers are escalating this war of light by now driving with their front fog lights on, in addition to having their headlamps set to the maximum dazzle position.

Many don't notice that the foglights are on, or drive without lights or lights on main beam.

To the chap on the mercian conversion last nigh on the old kent road. You are the perfection of being a wanker whom should continue using a bus. The highlight of undertaking me to then pull out round a parked car, loved the use of hi vis and being oblivious of what is going on around you.

Seems like you have looked and thought carefully about this. I think your next move is to think about getting some furniture for your flat. It looks a bit bleak.

On a full moon, I've ridden through west Sussex lanes at night with no front light at all. Ditchling Beacon is earie and lovely. This is in the wee wee small hours though. For me, the most important consideration with lights is to be seen on busy london roads. I have boosted my front lights after having drivers repeatedly pull out in front of me.

I have boosted my front lights after having drivers repeatedly pull out in front of me.

Helmet mounted Lezyene Macrodrive - point it right in the goons faces. Problem solved. Only thing a helmet is good for

Helmet thread >>>>>>>>

Quick question, have you check how it is from the front? (Standing in front of the bike from a reasonable distance).

^this is what I was thinking too. Best way to tell if you're blinding people.

Also, slight uphill can = dazzle.

To the seemingly well spoken lady determined to undertake everything, even kerb stones..... The bus by Liverpool Street station did indicate left, though you protested so much. That taxi actually moved right to give you space as in guessing he didn't fancy any part of your bike scratching his fancy film wrap advert.... The Porsche going by Majestic Wine doubtfully heard you call him a 'stupid boy' - moreover, I did try and politely impart that undertaking anything will rarely end well, calling me ignorant seems just fucking odd!!
Oh, and that thing on my bag is a rear light, it's red and flashy and stuff..... You need lights Doris!

@winnired1849 that's one of my many bike rooms in work. I wouldn't mind more cat6 cables on the walls at home tho and the carpet is good long lasting stuff I have spilt many drinks on and it doesn't show too much.

@edscoble yes, the same as any modern headlight, brighter than an old c70 scooter headlight. It's pretty intense for "just a bike light" but then I think cycling helmets are full of shit being tested for 12mph impacts as it's "just a bike helmet" or any other excuse stuff should be sub standard as it's "just for a bike".

But then if you had the shittest of shit lights pointed directly at you even side on it's brighter, here I mounted a 2x led coin battery powered light on the top tube it's pointed directly at me and my camera, cree is pointed left out of picture.