"Alan Holmes" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:
[email protected]...
>
> "John Pitcock" <j-pitcock(nospam)@msn.com> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I've sent this to uk.rec.cycling as cyclists are concerned about the
> > drivers who can't see anything that doesn't have two bright lights - as
> > happens now in the dark.
>
> But a large number of cyclists seem to think that they can be seen when
they
> have stupid flashing led lights at the back, if they were to use proper
> lights they would be able to be seen sooner as the lights would be
clearer.
>
Reply from a contributor to uk.rec.cycling
Anybody who knows anything about visual perception will know that a flashing
light is more easily seen than a static light. Flashing lights simulate
movement, thus indicating a moving object, which is more easily seen than
something that is static. You just have to watch enough wildlife programs to
know that this is true. Small prey species that cannot out-run the hunters
will use camouflage and remain still, in the hope that they will not be
spotted. This is why indicators on cars were changed from static lights to
flashing lights.
Before anyone thinks 'Oh no, here's a cycling nut/car hater trying to start
a flame war', I'll tell you that I am a Design Engineer in the automotive
industry and that I designed the bonnet and trunk hinges and the fuel filler
flap an the Jaguar XK8, the bonnet and trunk hinges on the Aston Martin DB7,
the fuel flap, bonnet and all tailgate hinges on the Range Rover P38A. I was
the launch Engineer for the front seat slides in the original Ford Focus and
I redesigned the Freelander rear seats to take isofix child seat anchorages
for the North American market.
If this legislation goes through, car drivers will soon stop looking for
real hazards and start to just look for lights instead, thus having the
opposite effect to the stated aim.
Whilst I'm here, I might as well say that I don't jump red lights, I think
the police should jump on those cycling at night without lights and
pavements are for walkers. I'll also leave you with a link to a picture of
one of those beautiful cycle paths that sardine can dwellers think cyclist
should compelled to use.
url:
http://www.colyer.plus.com/z-corrd.jpg
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I posted the above to uk.rec.driving, but didn't want to continue the
cross-post. Alan Holmes seems to know nothing about visual perception.
Thanks for putting up the picture of the tree lined cycle path, Tony, I
think more should be planted in the middle of roads.