The Bicycle Transportation Alliance has just released their latest video in an ongoing campaign to raise awareness about bike light usage… and it’s the best one yet in my opinion. It features Master of Light Mark Allyn and Jim “K’Tesh” Parsons in all of his Klingon glory.
Tell Us About Your Bike Lights! from BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE on Vimeo.
You can learn more about Mark Allyn and Jim Parsons in a story we published about them back in November. See more videos in this series on the BTA’s Vimeo page.
Thanks for reading.
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nuqDaq mej-pu’ QonoS-ll’ K’Tesh?
Heghlu’meH QaQ jajvam!
THIS is how cyclists get the reputation of being nerds!
Ahead warp factor 11! [adjusting glasses] Aheh! -sniff-
8-D
fun! I love being one of the few lit with colorful xmas lights and other side-view goodness on every ride… makes you feel good when a trucker thanks you for being undeniably visible from a mile away…
but sometimes it’s nice to be low-key and cruise through town without having to answer all the shouting about how cool the bike/lights are…
I was checking out the “neon” tube type lights at the Downtown Bike Gallery last week. They told me that they are no longer selling blue or green because some customers were pulled over by the police and told that those two colors were not allowed.
I like the pimpin’ look; reminds me of a low-rider. I’ll probably buy some red tube lights when they have them back in stock.
(note, by the use of the word “pimpin'” the author does not condone the activity of pimping, only the pimping aesthetic)
Green lights not allowed? Has anyone confirmed this? I know blue is reserved for emergency vehicles. I was thinking about making some green flashers since green LEDs are usually brighter and they stand out from vehicle tail lights. Also, green has become the bike safety color in Portland for bike boxes etc.
So you’re thinking about customizing your vehicle, gumby? Well the State of Oregon has a handy-dandy PDF for you. http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TS/docs/VehEq/OregonEquipmentHandoutcolor.pdf
And no. Green lights are not allowed. Green or blue are only for emergency vehicles (as explained in the document). K’Tesh and Mark, you have to understand, are wild men. They live outside the law. You should probably stick with the red and white, gumby.
Plus, I just thought of this: There’s a chance that while biking on, say, the Marine Drive path, a passing freighter could mistake your green (or red, for that matter) light for a navigational aid and then crash into you AND the Marine Drive path. This is why it’s a good idea to wear a helmet when biking near a waterway while sporting a flashing red light.
Glad y’all enjoy the video. There’s a new one underway!
“Flashing red and blue lights may only be used by
emergency vehicles.”
Uh oh. Looks like red blinkies are illegal.
Love the video!
Bah. In my experience, most drivers don’t know anything about emergency vehicles, how they operate, what kind or color of lights they have, when to move over for them, nothing. I’ve “pulled over” two drivers with my flashing front (white) headlight and a yellow jersey.
I have a bright blue cold cathode tube in my rear wheel that spins while I ride… have ridden by many cops without issue…
but I have multi-color xmas tree lights also, so you’d be making a stretch to confuse me with police…
I’ll continue to put as many non red/white lights on my bike as possible to make it easy to see me… blue is the best choice because it’s not something that blends well into the existing light pollution of vehicles and traffic signals…
I can’t count the number of cops I’ve passed with any or all of my lights running, and I’ve only been stopped once (and that officer wanted to complement my use of light. He said he saw me from 2 miles away.)
I think the key issue here is blue lights that flash. No motorist would confuse me as L.E.O.. I do seem to get lots of respect however. I’ve had lots of motorists cross the center margin when passing me, despite me riding straight and true in a bike lane, and I can’t count the number of people who have complemented me on them.
That vid is the bomb.
This is great. Keep up the good work, BTA Studios.
Great video – I see the BTA is getting the viral distribution concept. Great way to spread awareness!
Wanted: Engineer, Must have 12 years experience with Cloaking Technology…
Digital or analog?
Bistromath
Drat, I only have experience with SEP Fields.
How many years?
An utterly depressing number of years.
Be seen! Say no to ninjas!
Carl, are you listening? This should be the next video theme!!!
Those are some sweet pants!
K’Tesh “We should not be having this conversation” – LOL!!!
I have had no problems with police stopping me. I have ridden past police headquarters (justice building) many times with no problems.
Some of my multicolored lights are red and blue;
I just have an entire rainbow of colors. They also don’t blink.
Now I’m bummed; someone actually has more lights in/on/around his jacket than I do. Gotta buy another set.