vol

Would it be a good idea to put an unconventionally colored light, such as green, on the bike in addition to the white headlight and red/amber taillight? I say green because blue as emergency signal is illegal in many places. Would green attract special attention, because red/amber are everywhere? Is there any negative about green light (in front, or on the side)?

MNBikeCommuter

They might think you're a misplaced boat?

vol

I said "in addition to" the white headlight and red taillight

demoncyclist

I would think that lighting colors for bikes would have to follow the same rules as for cars. A bike is a vehicle, and has to follow all the same rules as any other vehicle. In addition, some states specify what lighting and/or reflectors are required for bicycles.

-=(8)=-

If you know of one, can you post a link ?
I point a low watt headlight backwards to catch drivers attention, but colors would be nice too . . . I'd even use blue if I could find one.

tdister

I use a blue forward facing helmet light sometimes. Probably technically illegal but I don't think there's much realistic danger of me being mistaken for an emergency vehicle. It is steady though and I would draw the line at flashing. It works well for attention getting even though it isn't that bright.

My light has a green LED too. I considered using it but: Green means GO. It would likely be fine, but I don't want to mess with that ingrained message.

Purple?

https://www.fleetfarm.com/mff/detail/...***PPAodQWMA5A

Not extremely bright, but I don't really like super bright headlamps in a lot of situations. It definitely does the job for me. Blue, green, red and white on the front with a near useless red light on back (useless for our purposes, it's prefect for hiking). I use the light at work too and might choose a different one if that weren't the case

BassNotBass

Well I thought that was funny, FWIW.

no1mad 

I can not vouch for these products or technology, but they may be of interest to you (and should avoid any legal hiccups ):

-Bike Brightz- the lower cost equivalent of the Down Low Glow
-Bike Glow- though Bike Brightz has a similar product a tad bit cheaper- compare shipping rates (or search on Amazon if see if you can free shipping).

These work best in dark places, street lights may over power them and automobile headlights will wash them out, though you may have gotten their attention before their lights over power yours...

10 Wheels

https://www.lightmalls.com/uniquefire...hlight-1-18650

Bluish Green

Wouldn't it be great if a separate, currently unused/undesignated color of light was designated nationally, specifically for bicycles?

Green might make sense, since it is an allowed color for pavements in bicycle lanes. Purple or pink would be cool, too. If bicycles and bicycle safety are a high priority, why not??

-=(8)=-

Thank you !!!!
Nice !!

JanMM

Most states specify white/front and red/rear. Anything else - for front/rear, anyway - introduces the potential for confusion.

10 Wheels

I want a Blue 18650 light that strobes to use as rear light.

I found one for $12 but they won't ship it to the USA

-=(8)=-

A company called NEBO makes these:



The green, night vision one looks intriguing. Fortunately, can be found all over the 'net

jsdavis

I dunno that green is a good idea. If your light gets mistaken for a traffic light somehow, that can be very bad for you or whoever thought it meant go.

jputnam

Green flashing lights are already in use in many areas for volunteer emergency responders, e.g. volunteer fire fighters responding in their personal vehicles. Probably not as likely to get a serious police response as a blue flashing light, but still not something I'd want to risk on my commute. Standard light colors work pretty well.

wirespot

You might get attention with an unusual color, but IMO it's going to be the wrong kind of attention. Drivers might think it's a neon sign or an ad, rather than a vehicle. All traffic participants are trained to instantly recognize certain types of lights, so if you want zero-delay reaction "that's a vehicle", my bet will always be on regular white front/red rear lights.

If you want extra visibility go with reflective gear. Stuff such as reflective tire stripes or pedal reflectors are built-in so to speak, zero hassle, always useful.

xtrajack

I tend to stick with the standard white in the front, amber mid, and red to the rear, lighting scheme.

Monster Pete

You should uphold whatever the law states, which is usually white front*/red rear. Amber lights/reflectors to the side are generally permitted Any other colours/directions just introduce confusion. In the UK the only vehicles allowed to display a green light is one driven by a doctor answering an emergency call (though I've never seen this in practice.) One steady white light to see by, and one flashing light to be seen by can be a good combination.

*Some places allow yellow headlights as well as/instead of white.

fietsbob

its red on the port side green on the starboard.. viewing angle is forward
Running.. white light is on the stern.

if the Blue and Red ones are flashing, behind you , it's the Police..

fietsbob

From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interna...hts_and_shapes

"Masthead light" means a white light on the centreline of the vessel showing from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side of the vessel.
"Sidelights" means a green light on the starboard side and a red light on the port side each showing from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on its respective side.
If the vessel is less than 20 metres (66 ft) long, the sidelights may be combined in one fixture carried on the centreline of the vessel.
"Sternlight" means a white light placed as nearly as practicable at the stern showing 67.5 degrees from right aft on each side of the vessel.
"Towing light" means a yellow light having the same characteristics as a "sternlight" defined above.
"All-round light" means a light visible from 360 degrees of the horizon.
"Flashing light" means a light flashing faster than 120 flashes per minute.[SUP][4]

.. christmas lights are a separate category , if you see them you have run aground .. [/SUP]

kookaburra1701

When I first saw those bar-end lights for drops I wondered why they didn't make one green. That would be awesome.

fietsbob

yea, but they are pointed the wrong way. on boats, those running lights are to be seen forward and from the sides,
but not the back.. so others can tell which way you are headed.

kookaburra1701

I was thinking airplane wings, not boats.

tarwheel 

Errr .... green doesn't sound like a safe idea to me. Green lights mean GO and some driver might confuse your light for a green traffic signal. It also is not as visible as red or amber. Instead of opting for funky colors, I would recommend buying a really bright red taillight such as the Dinotte 140 or 300. My Dinotte 140 is like having a red headlight on the back of my bike. Well worth the $100 it cost in my case because I commute year-round, more than 5,000 miles/year.