BIKE: Re: Pandora's lights

[Librik or Babich]

John SomdeCerff wrote:

> So it looks like everybody is good with flashing amber/yellow lights if
> used in addition to the required lights.  (Any color but red, white, or
> blue should be ok, right?  Green would be so unusual to see it may be
> even better.)

Note the word "beacon" in the quoted laws is a bit vague. This may be
relating to a light put atop the vehicle. Commercial vehicles like tow
trucks must use amber "beacons" instead of red and white (ambulances and
fire trucks) or red and blue (Johnny Law). I suspect that one is best off
sticking with flashing red for the rear of the bike, since it is the common
standard. I would caution about using green just because it is an odd color.
The approaching motorist needs to have you figured out as quickly as
possible. And you would not want any helicopters trying to land on you.

Anyway, think twice before you get a rotating flasher beanie-cap on top of
your helmet. I would be the height of fashion if I had one of those, but I
would not want the police after me for it.

Also, motorcycles can mount flashing red LEDs as auxiliary brake lights. I
do not know specifically how the Texas law regulates these, but the
manufacturers of such lights state that California requires that the lights
flash no longer than 5 seconds, while other states have no such
restrictions. Available kits are switchable between the CA mode and normal
mode.

> So does anybody know of a good amber flashing LED light?  (I'd like to
> make my own that would double as a turn signal, but it will probably
> take me many months to get around to it.)

I have a pile of these that I am giving away cheap. Contact me off list. I
have been hacking the turn signal and brake light problem for a while now,
and can share some experience in this matter. I can also show you several
operative turn signal systems.

--
Mike Librik, LCI #929
Easy Street Recumbents
512-453-0438
45th and Red River St., thereabouts
Central Austin
info
www.easystreetrecumbents.com
www.urbancycling.com

"Is it about a bicycle?"