Can Motorcyles use bicycle small flashing white lights for visibility, approaching intersection????

chingo

Well-known member
I have not checked into what i am asking (and not sure where to look) in the hopes that someone much more knowledgable than me would know the answer,

I see bicycles coming toward me with a small flashing white light: are they are allowed to do this, i have never heard otherwise,
It makes them clearly visible to oncoming traffic which in my opinion provides great awarenss for me to know they are there/

Question is::, are motorcycles allowed to use this same method (flashing white light) on front of their motorcycles?????
 
As per TK4 , it’s not legal for bicycles , certainly not for motor bikes , and while it’s ignored on bicycles, my guess is it would not be ignored on a motorcycle.


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I recall an update made to the HTA to allow flashing red on the back but nothing about a flashing white light on the front. I'd say a flashing white light is illegal.

Lights and reflectors on bicycles, etc.​


(17) When on a highway at any time from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres or less, every motor assisted bicycle and bicycle (other than a unicycle) shall carry a lighted lamp displaying a white or amber light on its front and a lighted lamp displaying a red light or a reflector on its rear, and in addition white reflective material shall be placed on its front forks, and red reflective material covering a surface of not less than 250 millimetres in length and 25 millimetres in width shall be placed on its rear. 2015, c. 14, s. 21 (2).


Same​


(17.1) A bicycle may carry a lighted lamp on its rear that produces intermittent flashes of red light at any time, and may carry such a lamp at the times described in subsection (17) instead of or in addition to the lighted lamp displaying a red light or reflector required by that subsection. 2015, c. 14, s. 21 (2).
 
thanks for the clarification, brings up another question, how do you make yourself more visible approaching an intersection.

main concern is left turn cagers or pull outs from side streets,

i wear visible clothing, but i have still had close calls, in fact one older gentlemen decided to pull out and share my lane as if i did not exist!
 
thanks for the clarification, brings up another question, how do you make yourself more visible approaching an intersection.

main concern is left turn cagers or pull outs from side streets,

i wear visible clothing, but i have still had close calls, in fact one older gentlemen decided to pull out and share my lane as if i did not exist!
Bright yellow (or white) driving lights.
 

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Best is to simulate what trains do and put two white lights low and wide on the bike. This way makes it easier for others to calculate your velocity and distance as the lights diverge.
 
Google the "SMIDSY weave". SMIDSY = "sorry mate, I didn't see you".

A bit of side-to-side motion in your lane (nothing extreme) can grab the attention of an oncoming driver. I often switch from the left tire track to the right tire track of my lane anyway, just to give me a bit more room between me and the oncoming driver, especially if there are cars in my direction of travel waiting to turn left that might be blocking the oncoming car's view. If I don't switch tire tracks, I'll just rattle the bars side to side quickly once or twice to make the headlight shake while remaining in my lane position.
 
Best is to simulate what trains do and put two white lights low and wide on the bike. This way makes it easier for others to calculate your velocity and distance as the lights diverge.
And on trains they both modulate. A headlight modulator is legal on a motorcycle but I'd have to read the law again to see if modulating two lights to replicate the wig-wags is legal.
 
Google the "SMIDSY weave". SMIDSY = "sorry mate, I didn't see you".

A bit of side-to-side motion in your lane (nothing extreme) can grab the attention of an oncoming driver. I often switch from the left tire track to the right tire track of my lane anyway, just to give me a bit more room between me and the oncoming driver, especially if there are cars in my direction of travel waiting to turn left that might be blocking the oncoming car's view. If I don't switch tire tracks, I'll just rattle the bars side to side quickly once or twice to make the headlight shake while remaining in my lane position.
What I do as well. If your lights aren't LED, switch them out so they are. Often times, it's just a bulb that's needed.
 
Best is to simulate what trains do and put two white lights low and wide on the bike. This way makes it easier for others to calculate your velocity and distance as the lights diverge.
Saw a bike with lights like that yesterday - it was super visible indeed.
 
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