Flashing Lights... Legal?

[LimeTree.]

I want to put some leds on the bike (not blue, ofcourse) underneath the plastics and have it connected to a pic which when a button is pressed causes the led lights to flash 10 times in within about 2 seconds.

Just as a tactic to make drivers aware of my presence (if neccesary.. i.e. theyre getting too close etc)

Would this be illegal?

Cheers!

 

[hops]

I believe not

any flashing light would probably fall foul of lighting regs

in essence

Lamps to show a steady light

13.—(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), no vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp which automatically emits a flashing light.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply in respect of–

(a)a direction indicator;
(b)a headlamp fitted to an emergency vehicle;
(c)a warning beacon or special warning lamp;
(d)a lamp or illuminated sign fitted to a vehicle used for police purposes;
(e)a green warning lamp used as an anti-lock brake indicator; or
(f)lamps forming part of a traffic sign.

 

[LimeTree.]

any flashing light would probably fall foul of lighting regs

in essence

Lamps to show a steady light

13.—(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), no vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp which automatically emits a flashing light.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply in respect of–

(a)a direction indicator;
(b)a headlamp fitted to an emergency vehicle;
(c)a warning beacon or special warning lamp;
(d)a lamp or illuminated sign fitted to a vehicle used for police purposes;
(e)a green warning lamp used as an anti-lock brake indicator; or
(f)lamps forming part of a traffic sign.

Thank you very much!
Part c seems a bit vague... as it is technically a warning beacon/lamp... in essence....

However I imagine it wouldn't be interpreted in my favour!

 

[gwigglesworth]

Illegal, dangerous, and several other rules broken. How would a flashing light help? Is it just me or surely if they haven't seen you then a light won't help.. that is what the horn is for and riding paying attention

Warning beacon has a defined term...
Lighting offences - Prosecutable:

Show red light to front
Show light other than red to rear
Vehicle fitted with unauthorised warning beacon
Vehicle not fitted with specified obligatory lamps
Specified obligatory lamps not correctly fitted
Optional lamps do not comply with regulations
Unlit projecting/overhanging load
No additional side marker lamps
Lamps, reflectors, rear markings not maintained
Hazard warning devices not maintained
Fog/Reversing lamps not maintained to prevent dazzle
Lamps not positioned - poor visibility/dark
Lamps not positioned - lit area stationary/dark
Failure to use headlamps on an unlit road at night
Headlights/front fog lights unlit - poor visibility
Lamps not showing steady light
Failure to fit obligatory warning beacon
Failure to use obligatory warning beacon
Obligatory lamps and reflectors obscured

 

[LimeTree.]

Illegal, dangerous, and several other rules broken. How would a flashing light help? Is it just me or surely if they haven't seen you then a light won't help.. that is what the horn is for and riding paying attention

Warning beacon has a defined term...
Lighting offences - Prosecutable:

Show red light to front
Show light other than red to rear
Vehicle fitted with unauthorised warning beacon
Vehicle not fitted with specified obligatory lamps
Specified obligatory lamps not correctly fitted
Optional lamps do not comply with regulations
Unlit projecting/overhanging load
No additional side marker lamps
Lamps, reflectors, rear markings not maintained
Hazard warning devices not maintained
Fog/Reversing lamps not maintained to prevent dazzle
Lamps not positioned - poor visibility/dark
Lamps not positioned - lit area stationary/dark
Failure to use headlamps on an unlit road at night
Headlights/front fog lights unlit - poor visibility
Lamps not showing steady light
Failure to fit obligatory warning beacon
Failure to use obligatory warning beacon
Obligatory lamps and reflectors obscured

That is a fair comment. Though I do think that sometimes when people are tired/had a long journey and are on auto pilot an unexpected pattern of lights may make them focus properly.

I wouldn't go so far as to say it's dangerous.. otherwise you would hear of stories where people have drove off a road because of the flashing lights on a police car. surely?

But if its illegal its illegal.
Might be allowed one day, I know in america you can get a unit to turn the headlight into a strobe for a few seconds... not sure if this legal in the uk. And ofcourse bicycles have only recently been allowed flashing lights. ( I say recently.. probably more than 5 years ago. ha)

Thank you for your reply!

 

[Paul Rochdale]

Lime Tree
I think you knew what the answer was going to be before you posted that question. When I was in the US, a friend's bike had a device fitted which caused just the brake light (I think) to pulsate for half-a-dozen flashes when the brake lever was used. Quite brilliant I thought but illegal here.

 

[MikeO]

Lime Tree
I think you knew what the answer was going to be before you posted that question. When I was in the US, a friend's bike had a device fitted which caused just the brake light (I think) to pulsate for half-a-dozen flashes when the brake lever was used. Quite brilliant I thought but illegal here.

Annoying as shit to ride behind, though...

Mike

 

[Steptoe]

any flashing light would probably fall foul of lighting regs

in essence

Lamps to show a steady light

13.—(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), no vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp which automatically emits a flashing light.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply in respect of–

(a)a direction indicator;
(b)a headlamp fitted to an emergency vehicle;
(c)a warning beacon or special warning lamp;
(d)a lamp or illuminated sign fitted to a vehicle used for police purposes;
(e)a green warning lamp used as an anti-lock brake indicator; or
(f)lamps forming part of a traffic sign.

Clause 4; sub section 23. Being a childish and annoying twat in charge of a motor vehicle .

 

[Hare About]

This IS why people riding bicycles with flashing lights are wankers

 

[Blind Lemon Ade]

... or you could just add the LEDs as auxiliary brake lights? These bods have a converter to run one set as rear lights and brake lights...

http://www.bikevis.com/motorcycle-led-running-lights.html

Then just tap your brake pedal at them...

 

[dancerdave]

... or you could just add the LEDs as auxiliary brake lights? These bods have a converter to run one set as rear lights and brake lights...

http://www.bikevis.com/motorcycle-led-running-lights.html

Then just tap your brake pedal at them...

yeah but then you'd have to learn morse code

 

[Smythson]

Three stage braking will give you more time to assess and control your safety margins both front and rear. Lights on these bikes are pretty good and if the driver has missed them then a few flashes in the bodywork isn't going to save you.

The stats point to death/injury by right of way / filtering / loss of control by rider type accidents. What's raised your concern about being driven into from the rear? (i can't think of any way to phrase it that won't attract an oh-err-missus comment )

 

[sloukes]

It would the first step on the road to total c*ntdom

 

[LimeTree.]

Lime Tree
I think you knew what the answer was going to be before you posted that question. When I was in the US, a friend's bike had a device fitted which caused just the brake light (I think) to pulsate for half-a-dozen flashes when the brake lever was used. Quite brilliant I thought but illegal here.

I naturally doubted the legality of it, thought i'd check though. Went down to the police station earlier, they didnt seem to think it would be a problem but didnt know for certain... so.. thought Id ask fellow bikers.

Clause 4; sub section 23. Being a childish and annoying twat in charge of a motor vehicle .

I doubt thats an actual clause Steptoe.

Theres nothing childish about making sure you're safe on the road and giving drivers the best chance there is of seeing you. But I appreciate the pointless reply all the same.

What's raised your concern about being driven into from the rear? (i can't think of any way to phrase it that won't attract an oh-err-missus comment )

Haha!

Not the rear. Just in general. Just seemed like an interesting modification that I could do which might make the bike a little more visible at night.




Anyway, it seems like its a bit of a grey area so think i'll give the idea a miss for now.

Cheers!

 

[Bendy toy]

I saw a bike the other day with a pair of LED markers that has some LEDs on continuous and some sort of flickering. At no point was the light actually off.

Legality? Ive no idea, but it wasnt actually distracting and it did stand out amongst all the cars which these days have over-bright LED markers.

 

[ralphy]

Lime Tree
I think you knew what the answer was going to be before you posted that question. When I was in the US, a friend's bike had a device fitted which caused just the brake light (I think) to pulsate for half-a-dozen flashes when the brake lever was used. Quite brilliant I thought but illegal here.

I've seen cars with brake lights that flash under heavy braking - Merc C-class and Volvo V70's to name a couple - and these were built-in i.e. not aftermarket.

R

 

[hops]

Only a thought

There's nothing in lighting regs that Im aware of that would stop you putting something like this on something other than the bike. i.e. on a backpack or the back of your lid.

Quite how that'd work in reality I'm not sure.

 

[Whele]

This IS why people riding bicycles with flashing lights are wankers

 

[Delboy777]

I've seen cars with brake lights that flash under heavy braking - Merc C-class and Volvo V70's to name a couple - and these were built-in i.e. not aftermarket.

R

Thats the ABS system at work mate...............

 

[shunter]

There's nothing in lighting regs that Im aware of that would stop you putting something like this on something other than the bike. i.e. on a backpack or the back of your lid.

Quite how that'd work in reality I'm not sure.

There is a Hump rucksack cover with flashing LED lights. There are various Hi-Vis over jackets with flashing LEDs. The law appears to be totally focussed on the actual vehicle so I don't reckon there will be any problem lighting yourself up unless you use blue, green or orange lights. Impersonating a police car or emergency vehicle.

I ride a bicycle with flashing lights because they get you noticed. It's either that or those superbright ones that blind other road users. Cycling in traffic feels a lot more dangerous than motorbiking - no rear view mirrors, no real speed against other vehicles, no real respect, no chance of catching and sorting out threatening car drivers unless they are caught at the next junction, a need to put yourself at risk to claim a position on the road. If someone wants to try and run me into the ditch I am willing to take their car keys and lend them my bicycle and repeat what they just did to me. I suspect 90% would be rather shit their trousers before trying.

Of course Hare About, with his extensive cycling miles will explain why flashing light are not needed by him and how the need to use them would relate to anyones masturbatory habits.