Breaking my Bluesky silence to say hey, cyclists - PLEASE STOP USING FLASHING LIGHTS ON YOUR BIKES. You might think they're making you safer, but in fact the opposite is true. For motorists like myself and the millions of other migraine sufferers who drive, flashing lights put both of us at risk.
Preach! I’ve been trying to persuade my fellow cyclists that 1000 lumen flashing lights, especially rear lights, are an extraordinarily bad idea for years.
If I'm stuck behind you and you've got a rear light flashing red in my eyes, I have to make every effort to look anywhere EXCEPT WHERE YOU ARE. If I continue to be stuck behind you (because, say, six of you are riding two abreast), I'm going to be forced to overtake at the slightest opportunity.
I'm sure there's something I'm not understanding here because I keep thinking - the vehicle in front of you uses turn signals sometimes, right? and those flash. what's the difference?
THIS Even as a pedestrian I get discombobulated by those things, that’s a good way to stumble right into them or into traffic. Never mind potentially triggering off a migraine for the rest of the evening. 🙃 Somebody’s going to get a bad seizure from those someday. They’re SO bright and strobing!
Btw, you gave away the game with the "two abreast" quip. You just don't like people riding bicycles.
Breaking my Bluesky silence to say hey, drivers - PLEASE STOP OPERATING HEAVY MACHINERY IF YOU HAVE A MEDICAL CONDITION THAT CAUSES YOUR BRAIN TO MELT DOWN AT THE SIGHT OF A TINY FLASHING RED LIGHT.
Thank you for this. I had thought for years that the law required flashing lights, but I've just looked up my state's code and it turns out they're allowed but not required. I'd always thought a steady light provided more visibility anyway.
Overall, we need much more understanding of how to use lighting for saftey! Causing people's pupils to contract at night by shining bright lights at them does not increase safety! It makes them unable to see for many minutes following the pupil contraction.
Thank you for this message. I've also noticed pedestrians on roads who use bright lights and point them directly at me while I'm driving near them. This is very dangerous as it blinds me. Please use the light to illuminate yourself! That was I will see you. Don't point the light beam at the driver!