The Arms Race of Lights

Well I’m off the bikes due to a bout of man flu, so I thought I’d try and provoke some debate. My regular ride is a 13 mile town commute which I do at different hours of the day. This time of the year I’d typically wear a long sleeve high viz during the day, and a long sleeve all over reflective at night. Light wise, 300 lumens front, aimed at the ground about 12 feet in front of the bike, decent Cateye or Lezyne on the back with backup front/rear light on (white) helmet. Also a reflective backpack cover. So I like to be seen. However I’m not convinced about the usefulness of some of the 12 zillion candlepower strobing type front lights favoured by some. I’ve also held a full clean driving licence for longer than I care to remember, and often find that as a cyclist, motorist or pedestrian, when I see one of those lights, that is literally all I can see. I know there’s a light there, but I don’t know what’s behind it, and have to make a real effort to use peripheral vision to maintain awareness of other things/people/vehicles on the road. Without meaning to start a legal type argument which could go on and on, I’m reasonably sure that strobing lights aren’t legal on motor vehicles (except emergency vehicles). This must partly be because they cause dazzle. There’s probably an issue of alignment etc, and I’ve certainly noticed some cyclists with these powerful lights aimed straight ahead. I accept fully that it’s good to be seen, but it isn’t good for any road user to alienate another one by dazzling them, and perhaps thereby endangering an unsuspecting 3rd party. Go on then…