Second headlight on top of pole

meb reported:

I was travelling along W & OD rail trail Friday night and I saw this oncoming pair of lights one
near eye level another up high. I thought it was a park utility vehicle or tractor till we passed
and it was simply a bike. The guy had a second light on top of a pole with the second light about 3
feet above the other.

I presume this was so he might spot branches or low clearance obstacles somewhere else he travels
before taking his head off.

Alternatively, anyone known if this is some deer avoidance lighting or other function?
-------
Was it green or red? Perhaps he was impersonating a train...

;>😉

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Pete Hausner
meb reported:

I was travelling along W & OD rail trail Friday night and I saw this oncoming pair of lights one
near eye level another up high. I thought it was a park utility vehicle or tractor till we passed
and it was simply a bike. The guy had a second light on top of a pole with the second light about 3
feet above the other.

I presume this was so he might spot branches or low clearance obstacles somewhere else he travels
before taking his head off.

Alternatively, anyone known if this is some deer avoidance lighting or other function?
-------
Was it green or red? Perhaps he was impersonating a train...

;>😉

Both white headlights.

Ward off low flying aircraft?

"May you have the wind at your back. And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner geocities.comczcornerOpen ↗

meb may have said:

I was travelling along W & OD rail trail Friday night and I saw this oncoming pair of lights one
near eye level another up high. I thought it was a park utility vehicle or tractor till we passed
and it was simply a bike. The guy had a second light on top of a pole with the second light about 3
feet above the other.

I presume this was so he might spot branches or low clearance obstacles somewhere else he travels
before taking his head off.

Alternatively, anyone known if this is some deer avoidance lighting or other function?

I've seen marker lights atop a pole before, placed there so that the bike's presence next to a
stopped vehicle at a corner was potentially less well concealed. For trail riding, your guess sounds
as good as any.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail. Yes, I have a killfile. If I
don't respond to something, it's also possible that I'm busy. Words processed in a facility that
contains nuts.

"meb" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I was travelling along W & OD rail trail Friday night and I saw

this

Quoted message said:

oncoming pair of lights one near eye level another up high. I

thought it

Quoted message said:

was a park utility vehicle or tractor till we passed and it was

simply a

Quoted message said:

bike. The guy had a second light on top of a pole with the second

light

Quoted message said:

about 3 feet above the other.

I presume this was so he might spot branches or low clearance

obstacles

Quoted message said:

somewhere else he travels before taking his head off.

Alternatively, anyone known if this is some deer avoidance lighting

or

Quoted message said:

other function?

He must have been towing a trailer:

International Rule 24 Lights and Shapes Towing and Pushing
(a) A power-driven vessel when towing shall exhibit:
(i) instead of the light prescribed in Rule 23(a)(i) or (a)(ii), two masthead lights in a vertical
line. When the length of the tow, measuring from the stern of the towing vessel to the after
end of the tow exceeds 200 meters, three such lights in a vertical line;
(ii) sidelights;
(iii) a sternlight;
(iv) a towing light in a vertical line above the sternlight;
(v) when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, a diamond shape where it can best be seen.