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lynx
@ElephantBreathlynx @Airhead
Whilst I was trying to check on the legality/whatever of auxiliary lights I came across:
https://www.whitedalton.co.uk/motorbike-blog/2017/05/illumination-for-the-nation/
and
https://www.adventurebikerider.com/auxiliary-motorcycle-lights/
The latter refers to the USDoT 2011 test. I believe that it’s as you say, providing something novel that the eyes aren’t used to filtering out as noise, so the shaping is very important. The triangular shape for example.
I am hoping to have the multiple LED configuration in a useful pattern for conspicuity. I doubt I’ll be trailblazing any deep dark woodland tracks, and expect they don’t project far enough to be useful for illuminating the road surface.
My biggest concern would be having the effect of two single large lamps, where it can and will be confused as distant headlamps on a car, which has been a contributory factor in near misses and crashes for riders with twin headlamps. I can’t find the references now, but I’m sure I had them. A week or two ago someone on the local biker group was asking for help as it had possibly been a factor in their collision.
Generally any time there’s a vehicle on a junction or similar, I’m chopping the throttle to begin to slow down, covering both brakes or applying a bit of rear, and getting ready to stop and give way regardless. If I don’t get eye contact and acknowledgement, I’m already planning my escape route/evasion. Occasionally I’m carving up the lane a little to make myself more conspicuous and to loosen up ready for an inevitable swerve.