You are hereAPD ticketing cyclists with knog frog lights, so it's time to UPGRADE!
APD ticketing cyclists with knog frog lights, so it's time to UPGRADE!
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but as of just recently Knog Frog lights are no longer just ineffective, they're also being considered ticketable. While I REALLY don't like the idea that the police are ticketing cyclists who actually take the trouble to put lights on their bike, the fact of the matter is that the single-LED frogs aren't really effective enough to satisfy the letter of the law unless under the most advantageous conditions. Read on for Austin's minimum bicycle equipment requirements:
Sec. 551.104. Safety Equipment.
(a) A person may not operate a bicycle unless the bicycle is equipped with a brake capable of making a braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
(b) A person may not operate a bicycle at nighttime unless the bicycle is equipped with:
(1) a lamp on the front of the bicycle that emits a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet in front of the bicycle; and
(2) on the rear of the bicycle:
(A) a red reflector that is:(i) of a type approved by the department; and
(ii) visible when directly in front of lawful upper beams of motor vehicle headlamps from all distances from 50 to 300 feet to the rear of the bicycle; or
(B) a lamp that emits a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of the bicycle.
It's hard to see a frog half a block away, let alone 500 feet. If you want to be legal and NOT get a ticket I suggest upgrading to something more substantial. Before I've completely lost y'all's attention let me offer a few totally unsolicited product endorsements and mini-reviews.
First up, I REALLY like the Blackburn Flea. This light system is DOPE and the one I use to illuminate my ass ~90% of the time. It charges off of USB, has a really strong metal clip on the rear light and universal velcro mounts for seatposts and handlebars. They're bright, incredibly visible, and last for a good long time off of a single charge: 3 to 6 hours for the front and 6 to 12 for the rear depending on solid or flashing. I carry my USB charger with me so I can charge it when I'm out and about. USB outlets are pretty common at most of my chill spots, so I'm never without a fresh charge and a bright light with the Blackburn Flea.
The next lighting system I've been using the hell out of is locally made, and if you've been on a social ride or full moon cruise you'll instantly recognize it: The Flashbak. This light clips on to just about anything, includes a displaced battery pack with an insanely long charge, and as far as visibility goes this thing is a real car-stopper. I've literally had people pull up alongside me and ask me what my light was when I was running a flashbak. If I've got my bike trailer out with me, the flashbak is secured to it more often than not.
The Planet Bike Superflash is a dynamo of a light, with a super bright LED flasher and two additional red flashers, this light boasts a visibility range of ONE MILE! I've got one zip-tied to my messenger bag, so that when I'm carrying a case of beer with me I can be assured of unmolested travel to the drinking spot.
I know most of these are rear light products, but honestly despite what the law says, I think for urban night riding having a powerful rear light is even more important than a front one, as you're typically approached the closest from behind if you're following the law and riding in the right lane. The majority of collisions I've been witness to or heard about have involved being rear-ended or clipped by a car coming up from behind, so if you have to make the choice make sure you have a powerful rear flasher at the least.
The products I've mentioned so far can all be had for under 50 bucks. If you want to spend a bit more on a really awesome front light, here's the one I recommend for just about everything: the NiteRider MiNewt USB Plus. This single LED front light puts out an impressive 110+ lumens, runs for 3-6 hours (depending on mode) and also charges off of a USB plug. The handlebar mount is dead simple and if you're the type that likes blinding oncoming traffic, you can even strap this puppy to your helmet for that patented "Lights-in-the-eyes-while-I'm-looking-at-you" move that constabulary forces the world over are so fond of. I did mention cost beforehand, because this light will set you back anywhere from $100-120 depending on the deal you find. It's well worth it though, and as a post-dusk trail riding light or for riding in unlit, non-urban areas, I wouldn't use anything less.
There's another bright as hell front light that can be procured from the internet, but I'm not wise to the ways of such things, so I'm going to it up to DougMC to comment on the specifics of his super awesome deal of the internets front light setup.
Boom, product reviews. What. Get some real lights, carry your knogs for backups, but don't rely on them as the police ARE ticketing people who have nothing more that the single LED frog lights. A real light is 1/5th the price of a ticket and really, who needs the hassle?
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For a long time, I kept a Knog on my bike as backup, because of a persistent internet rumor about a cyclist who was hit by a cop. Apparently, he lost in court because his high-powered helmet light didn't comply with the letter of the law, since it wasn't mounted on his bike. It could be argued either way, but it seemed like cheap insurance.
My helmet-mounted light of choice has been the $100-or-so DiNotte 200L - as the name implies, it throws about 200 lumens. The best part is that it runs off regular old rechargeable AA's - and the manufacturer will happily sell it to you without the batteries. If you're a photography junky with lots of batteries lying around already, take note! It'll also run on alkalines in a pinch, if you find yourself at a convenience store with a dead light and needing to get home, but according to the manufacturer, it'll chew through them in about half an hour (vs. about 3 hours with rechargeables).
I recently obtained a second one as a Christmas present, this one with a shorter cord, suitable for handlebar mounting. With the two of them, I feel like I now have adequate lighting for almost all conditions. I rode the Decker Lake loop earlier tonight, and I didn't feel like I was in danger of coming up too quickly on any of the pavement cracks that plague the expansive-clay soil east of town.
On the rear, my usual M.O. is two of the Planet Bike Superflash blinkers mentioned above - one on the seat post, and the other on the seat stay. I speculate (based on nothing) that it makes me look, from a distance, like two cyclists, at varying distances from the driver. I haven't been hit from behind yet (knock on wood)!
You're probably thinking of this incident that happened 2008-12-13 --
... since that's where an Austin Police Department officer struck Adam while he was part of a group ride, wearing flashing lights and riding with the crowd.
I don't think Adam was hurt, but his rear wheel was knocked out of true and perhaps more. The police were pretty cool about it at the scene (and it was totally their fault) but the city attorney decided that the city would not pay for the accident because the Adam had the lights on himself rather than on his bike.
Adam contested this ruling and won and the city paid up. I recall seeing a scan of the check somewhere.
Blackburn Fleas are boss. They're as small (or smaller) than Frogs, and bright as fuck. My front flea, mounted on the fork, will light shit up like a strobe light when it's in blinky mode. I don't see the back, but given how the red burned my retinas in the store when I looked directly at it, I'd say I'm OK from behind as well.
I have the older kind that hook up to a AA battery to recharge--easy to take with you, but probably take longer than the newer USB ones.
Sadly, safety is not hip. Seriously, Knogs/frogs are faddish shite and worthless except as backup lights.
http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3045.html
Expensive, but I like the quick release and AA batteries.
I agree with Jason, a decent rear blinky light is going to do more for your safety than an equivalent headlight. After all, the bike driver always has the ability to anticipate the the bone-headed actions of cars in his forward field of view and take appropriate action to prevent getting left-hooked or right-hooked by cars pulling in front.
Besides, a front LED light also comes with baggage -- a false sense of security. EXAMPLE: I'm hauling ass downhill, northbound on south Lamar, that wimpy little LED headlight I'm sporting isn't all that visible to that car about to make a left turn in front of me when I'm bombing downhill at 25MPH. If you think someone sees you and won't cross in front of you, better think again.
If you want to SEE the road and REALLY be seen from the front while bombing the road at speed, you need a light equivalent to a car or motorcycle headlight. (About 20 to 35 watts of hot yellow/white light of the good old halogen variety - Color temperature is important) after all, that's the defacto standard, that's what drivers are "tuned into" and that's what they're looking out for. The cold blue light from an LED headlight doesn't compare.
Here's a DIY light project that you can build for between $50 and $100 that'll do the trick. http://bikeguys.org/BikeLightsPart2.pdf (2.5 MB) These are the plans that inspired my personal DIY headlights.
And like I suggested, you'll actually be able to see that hole in the pavement before you run into it.
--
robbo
As I seem to recall somebody telling you that they had gotten a warning for no headlight, and the cop told them that the frog style light he had on the back was inadequate and he could be ticketed for that -- but that he didn't get a ticket.
Or are you saying that actual tickets have been given out?
If so, I'd say fight them in court -- the law is pretty clear, and 500 feet isn't that far. It doesn't say "blinded at 500 feet" -- it says "visible from 500 feet" -- which is actually a pretty low bar. Can you see that there's a light there from 500 feet at night? If so, you've complied with the letter of the law and therefore should be found not guilty of your ticket.
That said, frog lights are pretty wimpy. They might be OK as a backup, but I'd never rely on one, and I'm not fond of lights that use expensive little non-rechargeable batteries (CR2032?) anyways.
I also disagree with the rear light being more important -- I think the front light is far more important -- it's what saves your face when the cars lights aren't on you, and it also lets you see what's ahead of you. And really, you don't need a rear light at all -- you can just leave the reflector on the bike, or put some reflective tape on your seat tube. (I still prefer having a rear light too, but that will make you legal and will greatly increase your visibility.)
And as for your request for cheap but good Internet lights, here's what I've been suggesting --
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12060 $32.39 light
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8274 $1.54 mount (get one for each bike)
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5790 $8.18 two batteries (the light uses one battery at a time, so you've got a spare.)
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1251 $12.30 charger
That's what I'm using 90% of the time. I have a mount on each bike, and move the light to whatever bike I'm riding right now. Even in low mode, it's brighter than most bike lights and it'll last about 8 hours (and the batteries are cheap, so you bring a spare with you just in case.) In bright mode, it lasts about 90 minutes and people will confuse you with a car or motorcycle. Bright mode is about 400 lumens and the dimmest mode is perhaps 80 lumens?
You can certainly spend more, but you don't need to. But if you want to, this setup is slightly brighter and less `hackish' --
http://www.geomangear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4_41&pr...
... and it's in the US so it arrives fast. (Unlike DealExtreme, where it takes about a month to get stuff.) Bright mode is perhaps 500 lumens and lasts four hours or so, with the dimmer modes lasting much longer.
And if money is tight, you can just get this --
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.18307 $7.43 head light
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3639 $3.67 tail light
and get some rechargeable batteries for the headlight (for the taillight you can go alkaline or rechargeable, both have advantages and disadvantages) and you're good. (DX does have some good deals on batteries and chargers if you need them.)
If you really do like the frog style light, try this --
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.19033 $4.73 for a kit of two lights.
... it's not any brighter than the frog lights (it's pretty much exactly like them) -- but at less than $5 for front and back, you could get four kits and have four headlights and four taillights for under $20. (Though I'd avoid it simply due to the CR2032 batteries.)
Until yesterday I'd only heard reports of warnings, but I discussed the issue with some employees of The Peddler and it turns out they've had people come in complaining about actually getting ticketed, not just warned. Either way, it's food for thought.
... it's not hard, and I'd say they have a good chance of success.
I got a SSC P7 light on Doug's recommendation. The whole setup was $50 (flashlight, charger, batteries, free shipping) and it is bright as hell. Highly recommend.
http://www.dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.903
Jason wrote: "I think for urban night riding having a powerful rear light is even more important than a front one, as you're typically approached the closest from behind"
I respectfully diagree. Drivers coming out of driveways or sidestreets will pull out in front of you if they don't see you coming. Front and rear are equally important, IMO.
Good point, I retract my statement about the unimportance of a front light. While you can better respond to obstacles in front of you, not being seen by an oncoming car can be detrimental if they decide to turn without signalling or pull out without looking.
any idea if the other knogs pass? ...bullfrog, gecko or beetle?
... if it's what I'm thinking of, that it's just the opinion of one officer who didn't actually write a ticket.
The police aren't actually testing these things, it's just a guess on their part. If you actually get a ticket, you might have to test it out one night, walk 500 feet away and check it out. Then bring the lights in with you when you contest the ticket, and tell him about your test and the exact wording of the law, and I'd expect that he would rule not guilty and throw out the ticket.
That said, I still think the frogs are inadequate, even if they satisfy the word of the law. But they're far better than nothing.
i understand lights are safe and all, i have a bright rear light permanently attached to my bike...but tickets instead of warnings for the frog lights makes it seem like they are more interested in being tough on cyclists to discourage them than to keep them safe.
any tickets to guys on fixed gears with no brakes???
does anyone know if it's cops in cars or on bikes that seem to ticket cyclists the most?