Be seen folks! | TheaterFire

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kurisu7885@reddit

Lucky mine came with a built in lighting system, though I do want to put more on it, though finding good spoke lights is flipping difficult.

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kurisu7885@reddit

Yeah that's what I'm strongly considering, only issue is I'd need an extra set since I have a trike. Also planning to get a whip flag.

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Informal-Accident435@reddit

I just got the ones on the top row, second picture. They look like trash, are super bulky and don't provide that much light. Trying out a few other ones (the spider isn't for my bike, ignore that.)

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allozzieadventures@reddit

Damn, that's the exact one I just bought lol. Ah well.

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roses-are-rosie-tk@reddit

how's the battery and runtime of seemee 300?

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Is it just me or are some e-bike lights way too bright? Sometimes I get blinded and can barely keep my eyes open… almost rode straight into a puddle once, and that was on a bike lane.
I ride a Mokwheel Tarmac, though, and I gotta say I love the setup. Seamless built-in front light, tail light integrated into the rear rack, and even the rear fork has integrated turn signals. Everything’s embedded, so the lines of the bike stay clean, but it’s still super safe. Honestly, that’s my favorite part.

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Proud_Fan_6954@reddit

Is it just me or are some e-bike lights way too bright? Sometimes I get blinded and can barely keep my eyes open… almost rode straight into a puddle once, and that was on a bike lane.
I ride a Mokwheel Tarmac, though, and I gotta say I love the setup. Seamless built-in front light, tail light integrated into the rear rack, and even the rear fork has integrated turn signals. Everything’s embedded, so the lines of the bike stay clean, but it’s still super safe. Honestly, that’s my favorite part.

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Anxious-Depth-2723@reddit

As a longtime driver, former commuter and current casual cyclist, you said it! Don't ever give drivers the slightest excuse that they didn't see you. I've never understood those tiny "button" lights. Especially with taillights the objective isn't "Hmm, is that some kind of light?" it's "Whoa, check out that light!"

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Lambor14@reddit

the objective is to pass a traffic check if need be. It's rather shocking how many casual riders care more about the legal aspect than their health and life.

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Anxious-Depth-2723@reddit

Beg pardon, US Redditor here. Where are these traffic checks for bikes required?

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Lambor14@reddit

nothing is required per se, it's all a case by case basis but you can definitely be stopped in Europe for riding without lights in the dark or for example to check if your e-bike's motor is legal. (gradually fades out until 25kmh)

Of course laws differ from country to country, but being pulled over on a bike is not unheard of.

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Educational_Ad_3922@reddit

The 250w / 25kph limit in Europe is asinine given cars can go much faster and often operate directly beside bike paths. At least allow them to keep up with traffic speeds so they can be more predictable to motorists and pedestrians.

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Lambor14@reddit

doubling the speed limiter would quadruple the kinetic energy. that's a lot given that it's a bike after all. the motor is not there to make you go faster, it's to make it easier/less strenuous to get up to the speed of other cyclists. (making it less of a sweaty sport and more of a mode of transportation for everyone).

I find it a good compromise. If you wanna go 25, you don't have to put in much effort, but if you wanna go faster, you use your muscles like other cyclists around you.

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MayanGanjaGardener@reddit

This sounds lovely but… not everyone lives on a city with good bike-paths, some of use commute using bicycles and are forced to ride on the streets with cars. (I’m in Canada) it’s not just the lack of bike lanes, when they decide to fix one of the few we have they never give you an alternate bike route.

My bike goes up to 40 Km/h which lets me keep up with traffic in a lot of side streets. It lets me ride in the middle of the lane because I’m as fast as cars on those streets, which is safer than riding on the gutter and having many cars pass me over closely

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Lambor14@reddit

I understand. We were discussing Europe specifically with the other redditor in this thread so my stance was specifically catered to the local conditions.

In other places a faster solution can indeed be safer. Safe riding!

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Educational_Ad_3922@reddit

In Canada all ebikes are required to have one white light mounted on the front as well as either a red light mounted on the rear or red reflector on the rear.

Sadly I see too many riding without any lights or the tiniest of dollar store lights that you can barely see while weaving all over the damn street.

I've almost run into a few people like that because I couldn't see them, even had a few pull out in front of me last second. Some people just don't deserve the privilege of operating any type of vehicle, especially cars, trucks and SUV's.

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ALLSID@reddit

Our college town in Montana has been known for pulling people over on bikes without a headlamp. You don’t hear of it as much as years ago but they love giving out DUIs for bikes and running you for outstanding tickets. One very outspoken DJ/Journalist spent a weekend in jail over a bike light and unpaid parking ticket for like 30 bucks.

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dragonbud20@reddit

Its usually a city of county level ordinance. I live in a small CA city that required both headlight and taip lights on bikes at night.

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Get_Whizz_@reddit

That glow looks amazing — perfect for visibility. Just make sure the brightness is angled right so it doesn’t blind drivers behind you.

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thedudefromsweden@reddit

And while talking about lights, as we're heading into the dark season: for gods sake, get a headlight with a cut off beam like OPs. Every day I'm blinded by cyclists using super strong glaring headlights. The German standard StVZO is great but I know they are not easy to find in the US. Just make sure it has a cut-off. Please.

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Adventurous_Gear01@reddit

This 100%. I have passed by so many riders lately that only have a little reflector on the back without any lighting whatsoever. I love the idea of this red taillight.

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Ok_Return_6033@reddit

The Detour bike light seems to be good, but a little pricy. Has a good cutoff.

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fb39ca4@reddit

I have one and it's money well spent.

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Ok_Return_6033@reddit

Good to hear. I'm saving my pennies to get one.

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fb39ca4@reddit

To give some justification to my claim, light has a very wide beam pattern so you have good peripheral vision, just like with the headlights on a car. The light in the photo above just gives you a narrow cone that makes it impossible to notice anything outside of it.

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dragonbud20@reddit

A light without a cutoff is still dimmer than the majority of modern car headlight even when he's done to the light.

I need the extra distance provided by a non cut off light to be able to see a safe distance in front of myself when traveling 25mph.

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irony_delerium@reddit

I can't say anything. I have a motorcycle headlight fitted on the front of my e-bike.

It's not just seeing a safe distance, I also have to deal with people going the wrong way in the bike lanes quite regularly, car doors, and debris.

At least here, if drivers think it might be a motorcycle, they tend to treat it as such.

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NiobiumThorn@reddit

Especially if you ride late at night, the risk of collision is vastly higher than the risk of blinding

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irony_delerium@reddit

Also: "late at night" is 6pm in November around here.

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Educational_Ad_3922@reddit

I know how you feel. I live out in the countryside and standard bicycle lights just don't cut it when there are literally zero other lights around.

I ended up installing a 25W motorcycle light on my ebike that works wonders for visibility AND has a cutoff so I'm not blinding others.

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NiobiumThorn@reddit

i need a cutoff switch. Mine came stock with a big ass light which does a good job (mostly) but also is a huge pain

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YugoReventlov@reddit

I'm on a bike too. You're blinding cyclists and pedestrians and pets too.

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Educational_Ad_3922@reddit

I'm 98% sure even compliant lights would blind pets given how low down their field of vision is.

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_VliegendeHollander_@reddit

Are you the only cyclist in your area?

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dragonbud20@reddit

Yes, and a disturbingly large number of them ride without any lights at night, making my bright light with good throw even more important.

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Online_Accident@reddit

You can by a stvzo light that has a high beam. I did that and I think it's really great for not blinding others while still seeing far my self. With just a press of a button i get the high beams on and off. The button is next to my thump on the handlebar :)

I use the light same way i use lights on my car or truck at work, mostly at low beam and when needed high beam that I turn off when ever there is oncoming traffic or pedestrians.

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thedudefromsweden@reddit

There are great options for bike lights with cut-off that will give you plenty of distance. Check out this video of a really good light that has StVZO verification for road use in Germany:

https://youtu.be/N3q83z3l3lQ

I have the same light (not my video) and it's great and I don't blind others.

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Jlx_27@reddit

I cycle a lot in The Netherlands and Germany, even with those standards in place it doesnt prevent owners from pointimg their headlights too far up... The amount of times i have to shield my eyes with my hand is enfuriating.

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Educational_Ad_3922@reddit

Infuriating*

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discsinthesky@reddit

Idk - in the U.S. it seems we have enforce light regs for cars (that are enforced anyway).

I’d rather be over visible than under.

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Educational_Ad_3922@reddit

You do indeed have those laws for lights, however they do not apply to LED headlights as the point of measurement in LUX is different to a standard incandescent or halogen bulb.

So basically as long as the specific point of measurement falls within regulation they pass even tho the light around that point can be significantly brighter, which results in blinding anyone in front.

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BWWFC@reddit

for everyone else, StVZO is a standard, not a product:

StVZO bike lights are designed to conform to German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations, with a beam shaped to avoid dazzling other road users, but the safety standard may have benefits elsewhere in the world, too.

StVZO-compliant bike lights differ from other lights on the market in that they have a cut-off, which keeps the beam focused directly on the road ahead and, in theory, out of the eyes of other road users when cycling at night.

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Kensmkv@reddit

I have a certified light like this as well (Here in the US), and it’s amazing. It has a nice “Premium” look to it too

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BWWFC@reddit

aaand for the class, that certified StVZO bike light like that (here in the US) is...?

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Kensmkv@reddit

lol. Sorry, here ya go…..”Magicshine EVO 1300 Bike Light with Remote Control, 1300 Lumens Waterproof Bicycle Headlight” Magicshine EVO 1300 Bike Light with Remote Control, 1300 Lumens Waterproof Bicycle Headlight

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Educational_Ad_3922@reddit

Now if only these existed in a format without a battery, vuz say what you want but when it gets cold those batteries cut out or outright fail so quickly. Even if you have them plugged in they often rely on the battery for power operation so I've come to despise them since on multiple occasions a high quality battery powered light has failed me when I needed it the most.

Went with a (36-90v) 25W motorcycle light wired directly to my main battery, never looked back and have had zero problems since. My new light even has brights so when drivers eventually choose to blind me with their high beams I can return the favor.

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SlippyCliff76@reddit

And strobe functionality is also banned on STVZO headlights, another nice bonus.

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ArseneWainy@reddit

Yep, flashing or strobing lights kill depth perception of people coming towards you, it’s a terrible idea

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RXrenesis8@reddit

Even during the day?

I ride with an Outbound Detour set on 'daytime strobe" mode during daylight hours because I figured it would increase visibility.

Obviously at night strobes are a no-go.

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babblefish111@reddit

I don't think you need any light at all in daytime as long as your wearing a solid bold colour.

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aslander@reddit

I am of the mindset that more visibility is ALWAYS better. Don't all cars use daytime running lights now? Despite their color?

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Tiavor@reddit

It's been 2 years since daytime lights have been mandatory, but I still see many without.

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thedudefromsweden@reddit

My bike light actually has a DRL, it detects when it's bright outside and goes to DRL mode 😊

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SeanMonsterZero@reddit

I believe the day running lights are for drivers that forget to turn their running lights on in low light conditions (dawn/dusk/rain)

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Jlx_27@reddit

Yes, blinking setting isnt allowed.

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allrawk@reddit

This is my approach. Blinky-blinky during day and early dusk. Solid at night.

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SlippyCliff76@reddit

IIRC, the thing that led the Germans to banning the strobe was a study that they did around the time the cutoff standard was being formalized. It showed that while those with strobing lights increased safety for themselves, they did so at the expense of other road users. I wish I could find this study though.

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BWWFC@reddit

gosh a tough call, strobing or a 6 ton suv... wait, how about a 6 ton strobing suv!?!?!

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AllHailTheWinslow@reddit

I start considering cut-off lights the day my eyeballs DON'T get fried by a cunt-mobile.

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VoltasPigPile@reddit

Get a STVZO light and a regular omnidirectional one, have it on a separate switch, this way you have high beams for really dark trails and for getting attention when you need it.

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thedudefromsweden@reddit

Or a StVZO light with high beam functionality 😊 a bit more expensive but man, it's so nice to blast the high beam 😊

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thisFishSmellsAboutD@reddit

Man I see so many flogs riding through the dark with just strobes. I just use straight lights, turned down, and cover them with my hand when I see an oncoming pedestrian or cyclist.

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thedudefromsweden@reddit

Thanks, clarified my comment!

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This_Definition_864@reddit

Do you think it's any better being blinded by car headlights? Bike lights should be easy for you to come with. How many cyclists are you really being blinded by in a day?

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thedudefromsweden@reddit

My work commute is on a bike/running trail through a forest so actually quite a few bikes every day that are blinding me. Also, for cars, there are regulations and yearly inspections to make sure your lights are not blinding others. For bikes, you can buy the strongest light you can find with a million lumens blasting everyone in the face and it's perfectly legal.

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Natural-Wrongdoer-85@reddit

maybe hell aim it down more

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thedudefromsweden@reddit

That doesn't always help if it's designed to spread light in all directions.

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tallwhitekid@reddit

Any B&M light has the cutoff as well. What I run on all my dynamo hub bicycles.

I agree it’s annoying getting blinded by cheap Chinese LED headlights sold by Amazon.

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7mojo7jojo7@reddit

What head light are you using?

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japakapalapa@reddit (OP)

It is MagicShine's Evo 1700, a great little light with cut-off beam and a handlebar remote. I like the way it draws, and the low-beam is great for not blinding the oncoming traffic.

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salseroshaykh@reddit

Is that easily detachable? I feel like if I left my lights on my bike when locked up somewhere they'd be snatched up in my city.

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japakapalapa@reddit (OP)

Yes it is snap to release. I've mine installed on a gopro handlebar mount, which itself has a quicklock.

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salseroshaykh@reddit

Thanks, I don't know how I missed that in the video!

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Plisnak@reddit

I also have the evo1700, it's awesome. But what's the light on the ground? Is that from the rear light or do you have some other ground light?

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rs74@reddit

That's crazy I ride with the exact same front and rear lights. I definitely can say I have bought several different lights for my bikes and I always found the to be lacking in one way or another but the I bought the seemee 300 and I really like everything about it so I decided to get a magicshine headlight I think after many years I have found a reasonably priced light setup it has only been a couple of months but not problems yet . Also I really like the mounting bracket it makes it so easy to take off and put back on.

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Tjbergen@reddit

I use the same lights also though I recently got a RN3000 for the longer battery life.

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nopropulsion@reddit

I'm another person who happens to have the same combo of lights.

The rear light is hooked up to my rack and I don't get as dramatic a shadow due to my panniers, but I still really like it. I feel seen.

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BWWFC@reddit

https://www.bikeride.com/magicshine-evo-1700/

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japakapalapa@reddit (OP)

They make a good combo of lights, I can't think of much bad to say about them (besides the forever topic about the battery life, of course 🙂)

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Key-Investigator4332@reddit

Damn, I might have to get me one of these.

I thought I had more than enough visibility with my lights and bright jacket, but I almost got clipped the first day I rode my ebike like a week back.

Thanks for the info

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forcedtocamp@reddit

I have an evo1700 but the clip has worn out in under a year and magicshine haven’t helped yet. I decided to try the hori 900 … and I like it more, better mount and sleeker device

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Jlx_27@reddit

What brand headlight is that?

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japakapalapa@reddit (OP)

It's MagicShine Evo 1700.

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Jlx_27@reddit

Thanks!

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BassicNic@reddit

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japakapalapa@reddit (OP)

I was thinking of getting LED pedals, but got paranoid about someone walking away with them when the bike is parked 🫤

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StrawberrySlapNutz@reddit

I have the Arclight pedals from Redshift, even if they get snagged, your life is worth it.

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BassicNic@reddit

that's what these are. such a dream for the dusk transition hours.

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Public_Revenue_4566@reddit

This post is so valuable, even if it saves one person from injury

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MrMaker2020@reddit

Agreed!

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mikemu@reddit

The main problem here in California/bay area is most cyclists don't use lights. Or they are too dim. I've only ever seen 1 other cyclist that had appropriately bright lights and visible (when viewed as a driver).

I ride a lot at night. Before I knew better, I had blinking strobes at night from the Raveman. Better be seen than not right? So far so good for me; only a handful of close calls and I'm pretty lit up. I angle them down now so still a bit of a strobe, but doesn't hurt the eyes if you look at them.

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japakapalapa@reddit (OP)

You have a proper light setup right there😯👍 I do not see any point riding like a ninja without lights, but then again I only gamble when there is something to win so what do I know.

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G-bone714@reddit

It’s impossible for a driver to change course in one second. It takes time to recognize in the brain that there is an object that needs to be avoided and for the driver’s body to control the car to and change the line the car is on to avoid the object. A car traveling 35 mph is going 51 feet per second. So the question is: how far away is the taillight visible from? They are all bright enough to be seen up close, but if you want the driver to avoid you, the taillight needs to be seen from a good distance.

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japakapalapa@reddit (OP)

Below's a screenshot from a review of this light during daytime. It provides good visibility.

Where this light really shines, heh, is the biomotion thanks to the down-facing light, it makes us a human to the drivers, and not just mere objects.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1369847822002017

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G-bone714@reddit

That looks to be about 50 feet away, so you think a driver will react in one second? Good luck.

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Educational_Ad_3922@reddit

If you can't react to something that far away you shouldn't be driving. Forfeit your license before you kill someone.

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japakapalapa@reddit (OP)

Oh tough crowd, eh. Below is a daylight photo from 100 feet. Clearly the light is visible from longer distance but I ran out of the backyard. At night time the down-facing light illuminates your pedaling legs, and that is what catches the human eye: the movement.

I can snap a photo when it gets darker, from a proper distance. What would you say is a good distance?

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G-bone714@reddit

My test is three telephone poles away.

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dragonbud20@reddit

Telephone poles are not placed at fixed distances; your test is useless.

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japakapalapa@reddit (OP)

I snapped this from roughly 100 metres, with a 35mm equivalent lens. I trust the light is visible for another 50 metres without strobe.

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G-bone714@reddit

Looks good, it should get a driver’s attention in time for them to alter course before they get to you. 👍

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japakapalapa@reddit (OP)

On it, 7pm now. Around here the poles are 50 metres or 164 feet from each other. I may need to use my higher resolution camera for the job.

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dragonbud20@reddit

Your math is wrong because it doesn't include the speed of the bike. You need to know how fast the car is approaching the bike, not how fast the car is going overall. It's also wrong in terms of reaction time average reaction time is closer to .75 seconds.

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living_dead_001@reddit

Is it just me or are some e-bike lights way too bright? Sometimes I get blinded and can barely keep my eyes open… almost rode straight into a puddle once, and that was on a bike lane.

I ride a Mokwheel Tarmac, though, and I gotta say I love the setup. Seamless built-in front light, tail light integrated into the rear rack, and even the rear fork has integrated turn signals. Everything’s embedded, so the lines of the bike stay clean, but it’s still super safe. Honestly, that’s my favorite part.

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StrawberrySlapNutz@reddit

I'm recommending the Arclight pedals from Redshift. The visibility they offer on night rides is incredible. Your pedals are spinning and they can be set to strobe at the same time. It's very attention getting.

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babblefish111@reddit

Those yellow reflectors in most pedals do quite a good job of that by themselves.

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rrickitickitavi@reddit

Have that same taillight. It’s awesome.

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djbon2112@reddit

Better to be seen than not seen always! Give them no excuses. 2 of the 3 rear bars on mine are functional brake lights as well.

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boom10ful@reddit

What headlight are you using?

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japakapalapa@reddit (OP)

It's MagicShine Evo 1700.

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abercrombezie@reddit

Thanks, going to get one.

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kickboulders12@reddit

Bold of you to assume people are looking forward down the road. I have multiple lights on all of my bikes including helmets, and then I remember that people hit police cars that have flashing lights on and bug orange snow plow that also have flashing lights.

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japakapalapa@reddit (OP)

The down-facing light's main function is to illuminate your legs. The leg movement catches attention in the dark. But yea, no reason not to wear a helmet

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Craftman780@reddit

Hell yeah! Now those are lights!

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BassicNic@reddit

Let's get lit!

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CrackHeadRodeo@reddit

That's well designed. How does it look like during the day?

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japakapalapa@reddit (OP)

I snapped this a while ago together with my helmet's light. It is visible even from distance. The light has a sensor that deactivates the down-facing light on daytime, saving battery. But it has different modes to increase visibility, I trust the irritating flash grabs attention 🙂

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CrackHeadRodeo@reddit

Unfortunately I couldn’t open that link.

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Anxious-Depth-2723@reddit

As a lifetime driver, former commuter and current casual cyclist, you said it! Don't ever give drivers the slightest excuse that they didn't see you. I've never understood those tiny "button" lights. The object isn't "Hmm, is that some kind of light?" it's "Whoa, check out that light!"

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