Make bright flashing orange lights legal for rain riding?

[Ribenapigeon]

In the new bikers thread there was a post regarding riding in the rain and it was pointed out that one of the worst aspects of rain is getting tailgated. I've always thought bikers should be allowed to use more ilumination on bikes. I once asked if it was legal to have an orange flasher but the consensus was its not. In rainy conditions surely it would be a good thing for bikes to have a bright orange hazard flasher pointing to the rear to warn faster moving traffic coming up behind you?.

Cheers

[CaNsA]

[Ste]

Go faster... problem solved.

[chickenstrip]

I've been managing for 30 years and no problems. What just changed?
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[hellkat]

Bit distracting I would have thought, something flashing all the time.

Hypnotic, too.
I occasionally find myself hypnotised by those big flashing arrows on the motorway when the lanes are shrinking from 3 down to 1.

I can only imagine a bunch of bikes all flashing at once (like, in a big city; I ride in London) would be real distracting, especially in amongst a bunch of other brake lights, indicators, etc. from cars.

Maybe the use of more reflective stuff, like that what cyclists wear.

Not the hi-viz ubiquitous shite, but proper reflective, so that as you move (with the bike), the reflective bits move with you.

(I tend not to wear a lot of "safety" gear - but I think a lot of bike gear already has some of that on, does it not? )
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[Ribenapigeon]

[grr666]

Buy an Audi then.
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[Pete.]

Yeah that works well if you're the sort that thinks you're the only safe driver on the road. Otherwise you ride according to the conditions.

Cars tailgating in the rain have a much shorter stopping distance than a bike so you should keep your eyes and mind on what you're doing yourself and stop wondering 'what if' all the time.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

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[weasley]

If you're that worried then install a fog light and use it when visibility is <100m, no?
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[Vracktal]

Semi-related, but i've always thought it was a good idea how in the US market motorcycles often use the front and rear indicators as marker lights while they're riding with the headlights on. Just seems like a good way of differentiating between 'motorbike' and 'car with one broken headlight', and adds another set of rearward facing lights for when it's dark and rainy.

https://powersports.honda.com/assets/flash/model/gallery/CBR600RR_2013_01.jpg

Seen the occasional motorbike in the UK that does this and it doesn't seem to be against any regulations (that I know of - Borg?). But for some reason it hasn't caught on with the mainstream.
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[Nobby the Bastard]

[almostthere]

Why an orange light why not a blue flashing light that would have the desired effect
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[wr6133]

[stinkwheel]

An orange hi-viz is probably your best bet.

That colour in-particular really works well in the rain.
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[CaNsA]

[bamt]

Being a cyclist too, it's absolutely horrible to be riding in the rain following someone with a bright flashing rear light - as you quite often end up doing on busy roads or group rides. The light just "smears" across the damp surface of glasses (or a visor, or a windscreen) so dazzles you repeatedly leaving you with the option of dropping way back or trying for an overtake. You can guess which most cars will try to do.

[iooi]

[monkeybiker]

[Fladdem]

[Teflon-Mike]

The C&U Lighting regs reveal all... I CBA to go review, though, so from memory;
- Hazard warning lamps, may only be displayed on a stationary vehicle.
- Amber 'beacons' may only be used on vehicles traveling at less than 20mph or something like that.
- Amber 'marker' lamps can only be displayed from the side, on 'long' vehicles.
The American, 'combined tail / signal lamp', of reverse flashing 'red' indicator, is covered in an exception.

Exploiting the exception for US combined tail/signal lamps, there have been kits marketed for bikes to do exactly this; turning amber 'rear' indies into combined 'tail / signals' with a duel filliment bulb and a red lens paint.. but only for the rear; it's illegal to show 'red' light to the front... and they have been offered 'on-and-off' to my knowledge for at least twenty five years.

HOWEVER... as a solution to the 'problem' suggested...??? I don't think either a slow vehicle beacon or combined tail / signal lamps are, really...

I mean, 90mph Audi's are already 'illegal'.... be a bit like asking for a law for Lollipop Ladies to be able to use 'stingers' 'cos not all traffic stops for their lollipop!

Meanwhile... where would you be doing 40mph less than other traffic? Rain isn't the only situation... and it's a matter of 'road-sense' dealing with that other traffic, not lighting... and at SOME point, we have to look out for ourselves, not expect the 'machine' to do it all for us, with abs and air-bags and shit.. better 'solution' to my mind would be to remove such driver aids from the fucking Audi's NOT start adding them to the bikes! Or simply suggest that if you are so un-confident on a bike, and scared of being arse-ended by an Audi, or rain... don't ride a bike where you might be arse ended by an Audi, or in the rain.. which being as this is Britain, might be never! But still.. safety comes from using your head, not sticking it in a polystyrene bucket and believing you can 'buy' gizmo's to do it all for you!
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[kramdra]