City riding lights - flash or steady?

I have this one:
from a distance the outer ring blends together into a nice big lit area

• a blinking light
  
  

I've just discovered this thread and will be changing my flashing light to a steady one. Thank you, wise forum folk.

You have missed this.

Or you read the article that Clefty linked to, that outlines how human vision works with reference to saccades, and therefore have both a solid front light (for seeing where you are going) and a flasher (to be seen) on the front.

Here is the article that is being referred to

http://www.slobc.org/safety/documents/road-survival-guide.pdf

Go to page 11

OK, now I'm complete, thanks. I do remember reading something about saccades. Makes sense, and also probably explains why I got knocked off in broad daylight not so long ago. Ho hum.

Strangely no post from that fella who was running a stealth brakeless setup wearing a black hoodie, because fuck 'em!
Apparently the only way to stay alive undetected by cars drivers who are all out there to get you.

There is the hi viz cloak of invincibility and then the ninja cloak of invisibility.

Steady rear lights on group rides or GTFO, everything else covered up thread.

What helmet light thing is good dj?

Exposure joystick and red eye.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/exposure-joystick-mk8-with-mount-redeye-helmet-2014/rp-prod110877?_$ja=tsid:46412%7Ccgn:Exposure+-+Lights%7Ccn:Chain+Reaction-UK-PLA-PLA-All-DT-SE%7Ckw:396921UK_Exposure+Joystick+Mk8+with+Mount+and+RedEye+Helmet+2014&gclid=CJOc5JnqnLsCFbMPtAodSHEACA

What helmet light thing is good dj?

If you ride anywhere that you may possibly come across another cyclist and you aren't a social retard then helmet lights should >>>>>>>>>>>>>

I was blinded the other night by a guy lit up like the blackpool illuminations (including helmet light) that wanted to ask about my polo disc wheel.

I promise to be careful where I point my joystick.

This thread needs a poll.

I hate flashing lights and I never set my rear light (which has the option) to flashing.

Depends on where I am and what I'm doing. In well illuminated areas I tend to go for flashing front simply because within about 30m it doesn't make that much difference to judgement of distance and attracts necessary attention if I need to be at the side of the road instead of in primary.

Poorly lit areas get the main beam effect and unlit gets the lower power setting as my eyes will adjust to the low light and allow me to conserve battery. It also gives me something I can do to catch the attention of oncoming drivers who haven't dipped their headlights yet. Similarly dusk and heavily overcast usually warrants flashing light to attract some attention.

Rear is usually two lights on flashing. I've yet to feel that a driver hasn't noticed me or been able to reasonably judge my speed.

This thread needs a poll.

I hate flashing lights and I never set my rear light (which has the option) to flashing.

yes it needs a poll,

I also dislike flashing lights. Though i sometimes leave my back light flashing

I set my front to beam tilted down a little (to light my way)

I use both. As per the article linked above, human eyesight is more likely to pick up a blinking light, so it seems sensible to have one that flashes. A constant light is better at illuminating. Best of both worlds makes sense to me. I am not too bothered about whether others like or dislike this, it is what makes most sense to me.

Also flashing mode greatly extends battery life, so it means that I am less likely to find all my lights go flat at the same time.

And as per the article above the author recommends hi-vis clothing but oddly you don't mention that. Still, it's everyone's prerogative to pick and choose which bit of expert testimony they choose to believe.
I doubt it makes any significant difference one way or the other and it's just another dismal sidetrack of a discussion.

Hi-viz will not work in a lorry blind spot.

my lights always flash to save batteries.

Hi-viz will not work in a lorry blind spot.

I think it will. But guess that depends - if a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

If you want to avoid being crushed my lorries don't ride to the left of them.

Or to the right if they're turning that way.

Or in front of them if the driver isn't really paying any attention.

Unless they are stationary with no prospect of moving.

Seen alot of blue LED lights front and back lately around where i live. Not too sure what sort of trend it is but it seems to be catching on.

Probably due a PCSO crackdown.

Hi, i believe that a steady and a flashing light front and back is a good option. I also sometimes use two steady lights on the front and if they are suitably bright oncoming traffic thinks you are a motorbike, especially usefully on poorly lit rural or urban streets.

Seen alot of blue LED lights front and back lately around where i live. Not too sure what sort of trend it is but it seems to be catching on.

Probably due a PCSO crackdown.
A blue, rear light would get you cracked-down on, no?

Blue front lights aren't legal either, are they?

...I also sometimes use two steady lights on the front and if they are suitably bright oncoming traffic thinks you are a motorbike, especially usefully on poorly lit rural or urban streets.
I've noticed this too. I have twin, front and rear lights (mounted side-by-side) and find that traffic treats me much more cautiously in unlit areas.

Oncoming traffic dip their lights sooner and overtaking vehicles slow down before overtaking, rather than keeping their speed up and swerving around me.

Flash - Queen (Official Music Video) - YouTube

flashing. It's way easier to judge how fast the bike is moving if it's flashing. It makes it stand out from any of the hundreds of other lights in view too.

Any source that if its flashing it's easier to judge how fast something's moving? The DVLA recommend steady lights (or at least did when I took my theory test 2 years ago or so), I'm guessing they are basing it on something.