Outmoded and Outdated -- Audax Rules Prohibiting Flashing Rear Lights

Many Audax clubs, including those in Japan, prohibit use of flashing lights on bicycles. Indeed, German and Netherlands law prohibit flashers. Some other places also prohibit them (or at least prohibit a bright, flashing, front light that will bother drivers). Audax clubs also require that lights be affixed to the bicycle frame (except, perhaps, one on the rear of the helmet).

This article on the Bikeradar website summarizes current research on whether flashing or solid lights are safer, and suggests that the Audax rules may be out of date.

https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/flashing-bike-lights/

One key piece of research emphasizes the importance of lights, and reflectives, on moving parts of the body -- the legs and arms, and less so the head.

"The study found that when steady lights were mounted to the cyclist's pedaling heels, participants [identified the cyclist] from a mean distance that was 1.7 times greater than when a flashing light was mounted to the seatpost. This figure increased to 5.5 times when compared to a steady light mounted to the seatpost."

Some Audax groups (in the US) do require reflective ankle bands. Those in Japan do not ... but should. 

And the Japan clubs also should allow flashing rear lights, and encourage use of lights on the heels or ankles.

Reflective bar tape

I just put some Shimano "PRO" reflective bar tape on the bike I want to try commuting on -- my old Canyon frame, which has a ding on the left side of the downtube, but seems to be still structurally okay ... so I can ride it in the city without getting worked up about other dings. The reflective tape works!

In indirect light, the tape looks normal:

Last Ride before Hokkaido 1200

As Saturday rain turned to Sunday humidity, Jerome and I took a 100 km half day ride to stretch our legs before Wednesday night's start for H1200.  Both of us were a bit bleary-eyed from middle of the night/early morning World Cup matches, we have both gained a few kgs over past months, and Jerome was still suffering from jet lag having returned from Europe last week.   Plus, we need fresh legs from Wednesday evening for H1200.  So we took it easy today heading out Onekan and the Tank Road, around Tsukui-ko counterclockwise then back via Yaen-Kaido.

The weather was not too hot, but the humidity seemed to defeat my cooling system.  As we left Route 413 and headed around the North shore of Tsukui-ko, we passed the newly opened section of the Ken-o-do expressway, which takes long distance traffic AROUND Tokyo instead of THROUGH, and now is open all the way from the Tomei Expressway to the Kanetsu and Tohoku Expressways.  We marvelled at how quiet the traffic noise was, barely audible as we rode adjacent, thanks to the noise barriers.  Very impressive.

Noise barriers on the Ken-O-Do expressway 

How to build an expresway through a neighborhood without destroying it.

Today Jerome rode in his "short shorts" and sleeveless top -- the look that only he can pull off.  He has added some new reflective tape to his bicycle, and more important, could be seen (and distinguished from other road cyclists) from at least 500 meters back, because of his new reflective triangle attached to triathlon belt, signalling a "slow vehicle".

To quote a Pennsylvania state traffic safety website:

• Vehicles designed to travel 25 mph or less and horse-drawn vehicles are required by law to display a florescent orange triangle surrounded by red bands. When you see this symbol on the rear of any vehicle, slow down immediately and maintain a safe following distance.

Jerome often exceeds 25mph (approx 40 kph), and while he sometimes has been compared to a galloping horse, one does not pull his bicycle.  Nonetheless, the admonition to drivers to "slow down immediately and maintain a safe following distance" is welcome.

Stay tuned for reports on the big ride of the summer -- H1200!