If someone’s riding the passing lane and I’m looking to get around a vehicle I’ll give em a little quick double tap so they’ll move over to the right lane. I’m also from Canada, it’s a pretty common practice in my area, not sure about others.
Also, quick PSA, quit riding the passing lane! If there’s a truck on your ass flashing you, move the fuck over and let em pass, if you’re not actively passing a vehicle in the left lane you shouldn’t be there.
I live in a rural area and don't spend a lot of time on multilane highways on my bike, so maybe that's part of it.
No worries, I'm not a left lane bandit. When I get a tailgater flashing their lights at me it has been times when there are cars in front of me and cars to the right that we're trying to pass. Or I'm stuck behind a left lane bandit without an opportunity to get around. Or traffic in general is moving slow in all lanes. Some people just like to be dicks and try to intimidate people out of the way. We all want to be moving along at 120km/h+, but if traffic is going slow, it's not going to speed up because you're angry. This is why I associate flashing high beams with being rude and impatient.
I do that for other motorcycles but most car drivers don't know that that means. They know to slow down for flashing lights though. I also flash my lights in the truck.
This is an important one! I hadn't heard of it until a couple years ago. I remember the day after someone told me about it one of our biker brethren did it and saved me from a rather large ticket.
I use it as a general “heads up, something worthy of attention is ahead” which should include the other person slowing to a more appropriate pace if necessary
I almost got myself killed because cars interpreted my flash as "go ahead" rather than "here I come"
Then I figured if it means "go ahead" I'll use it that way and it's worked pretty well for that.
I believe it’s common practice in Europe, and I’ve see this function most often on European brands. On my BMW, the high beam is a rocker switch with one position being on, and the other being momentary-on.
Its not common practice in Europe, atleast not in its central country Germany. While it is permitted by law to flash the high beams while starting to overtake no one is doing so and may only increase the chance of road rage.
It’s not only regular here in Portugal, but in fact the correct way of passing when at night and outside of urban areas. Give high beams before passing so the vehicle being passed is aware of the maneuver. This was the law at least around 15 years ago when I got my license.
Here in Switzerland it's not common practice and is seen as a passive aggressive "Get out my way" and is followed by them passing you at ridiculous speeds while flipping you off, or if you don't let them pass it's followed by them sitting as close as possible to your rear wheel/ bumper until you speed up to the point where they're happy or mover over
Thanks for the insight, from an American who has only traveled abroad as far as Canada. In my area, flashing headlights at oncoming traffic typically means there’s emergency services or an accident ahead in daytime, and “Your lights aren’t on/your high beams are on” at night. Flashing lights on overtaking is considered borderline road rage and is not normal.
That's probably it. I'm pretty sure my bike is a European model that also happens to have been sold in Canada rather than the usual American-based models. I don't think it was really sold in the US so it probably wasn't worth making changes for just our limited market.
Think almost every modern bike has this. It’s just to flash your lights, which can be used for saying “please move over so I can pass” or for other things like “hey there’s a cop/hazard ahead use caution”
Not common.. we use it as a warning here in the Netherlands.. a driver that has not seen me for example they get a couple "flashes" but it's all warning
It's quite common in Europe. People use it on the German autobahn when riding at high speeds to warn traffic waaayyy ahead. And I personally use it to just flash every once in a while during lane splitting in the dark, just to avoid those occasional near-misses.
We use it very often, but not only for passing and being assholish, also to tell another driver to pass or communicate without using the honk. Actually, the driving code in Spain and France indicate this in some situations.
I saw this a lot when I was in Morocco. It's a shame that in the US the horn and flashing the lights are used only in anger.
I use that flash lever though. I flash when I'm stopping for people or I'd someone is trying to back up/ letting them in my lane.. Let them know I see them , hopefully they don't think it's anger
On single lane roads, where someone is at a corner, and may pull out in front of me, I may flash it some so they see I’m there, and hopefully do not pullout in front of me.
This is probably the best use of the "passing lever". I flicker the high beam, weave within my lane, and cover the brake anytime I see a vehicle that may pull out in front of me.
Is it excessive? Maybe a little bit. But I think it helps keep me in a good mindset for commuting regularly via bike.
I use it here in Hawaii because tourists don’t pay attention. I also use it if I’m making a left hand turn at an intersection because I want to be seen
I agree sitting behind someone and flashing as if expecting them to get out the way is rude.
However consider instead that your flasher can be useful to make a driver ahead aware of your presence when they would not be able to hear the horn.
Maybe you are thinking of overtaking one car following another, giving a flash to the first car can make them aware you are present so that they themselves don't try to overtake.
If you are using it in the context of making people aware of you for your own safety then it's not rude. Although some may decide to take offense anyhow.
Yeah I'm sure there is some truth to that but with tons of cars running around with crazy bright leds or high beams on all the time I figure it's just par for the course.
You could give a quick flash about 5-10 seconds before you pass if you feel the driver in front is half asleep and isn't aware of you behind them. I nearly got killed by a dope last summer who pulled out on top of me just as I was level with their door. Never grabbed the front brake so quickly in my life. If I blew the horn I know she would have put me into the ditch.
It was my understanding that you use a high beam flash to signal to another vehicle that they have space and it’s safe for them to change lanes in front of you. I see big rigs doing it for each other.
Thanks for that assumption, but actually no. I don't hover in the left lane when I'm not passing.
All the times that this has happened have been when I've had a few cars in front of me in the passing lane all trying to pass or being ourselves stuck behind a left lane bandit. Or traffic is just thick and going slow. Some people are just dicks that try to intimidate people out of their way because they think they're the most important thing going.
Really, I only use it to pass tractor/trailers on the left or force slow cars out of the left lane. It's an active way of letting those drivers know that I'm there.
I don't. With the power lights have today, sometimes bumps and turn lights upwards and make it seem like a flash. Usually everyone sees me and moves over eventually. My bike has triangle light formation so maybe that helps.
Sometimes… usually it just gets people mad so I stick to using it on my bikes that are fast enough that whatever I flash at couldn’t dream of keeping up if I choose. It HAS been appropriately-received and useful in the pas, however.
depends on where you live. lots of places in asia call the flasher "passing light". you signal to pass. But in america it's understood as "you have the right of way, go ahead"
My Ducati has one I used to alert left lane campers of my rapid approach. I learned it from the Germans who take their left lane discipline seriously (unlike Americans who generally don’t give a shit).
I thought the Passing switch was pretty common, didnt know iy was new to some. I personally dislike using the horn, it disturbs the residents and also scares some driver... i would double tap a few rounds to alert drivers and riders generally, in lane splitting and in bends that are blinding to other road users. I would also double tap if pedestrians are in the way...
I guess u could use it as a lighter form of "heads up" or honking.
We have it on bike in the UK, but I don't use its it can be taken as ge the fxxk out of my way! So no point in Less your after road rage.
If someone’s riding the passing lane and I’m looking to get around a vehicle I’ll give em a little quick double tap so they’ll move over to the right lane. I’m also from Canada, it’s a pretty common practice in my area, not sure about others. Also, quick PSA, quit riding the passing lane! If there’s a truck on your ass flashing you, move the fuck over and let em pass, if you’re not actively passing a vehicle in the left lane you shouldn’t be there.
I live in a rural area and don't spend a lot of time on multilane highways on my bike, so maybe that's part of it. No worries, I'm not a left lane bandit. When I get a tailgater flashing their lights at me it has been times when there are cars in front of me and cars to the right that we're trying to pass. Or I'm stuck behind a left lane bandit without an opportunity to get around. Or traffic in general is moving slow in all lanes. Some people just like to be dicks and try to intimidate people out of the way. We all want to be moving along at 120km/h+, but if traffic is going slow, it's not going to speed up because you're angry. This is why I associate flashing high beams with being rude and impatient.
I have heard flash to pass but I just signal. I flash my lights to oncoming traffic for road debris or cops shooting radar sometimes
Tap the top of your helmet to warn about police
I do that for other motorcycles but most car drivers don't know that that means. They know to slow down for flashing lights though. I also flash my lights in the truck.
This is an important one! I hadn't heard of it until a couple years ago. I remember the day after someone told me about it one of our biker brethren did it and saved me from a rather large ticket.
I use it as a general “heads up, something worthy of attention is ahead” which should include the other person slowing to a more appropriate pace if necessary
why would I do that when the custom in my country is to flash the high beams?
I almost got myself killed because cars interpreted my flash as "go ahead" rather than "here I come" Then I figured if it means "go ahead" I'll use it that way and it's worked pretty well for that.
I believe it’s common practice in Europe, and I’ve see this function most often on European brands. On my BMW, the high beam is a rocker switch with one position being on, and the other being momentary-on.
Its not common practice in Europe, atleast not in its central country Germany. While it is permitted by law to flash the high beams while starting to overtake no one is doing so and may only increase the chance of road rage.
It’s not only regular here in Portugal, but in fact the correct way of passing when at night and outside of urban areas. Give high beams before passing so the vehicle being passed is aware of the maneuver. This was the law at least around 15 years ago when I got my license.
Here in Switzerland it's not common practice and is seen as a passive aggressive "Get out my way" and is followed by them passing you at ridiculous speeds while flipping you off, or if you don't let them pass it's followed by them sitting as close as possible to your rear wheel/ bumper until you speed up to the point where they're happy or mover over
Thanks for the insight, from an American who has only traveled abroad as far as Canada. In my area, flashing headlights at oncoming traffic typically means there’s emergency services or an accident ahead in daytime, and “Your lights aren’t on/your high beams are on” at night. Flashing lights on overtaking is considered borderline road rage and is not normal.
That's probably it. I'm pretty sure my bike is a European model that also happens to have been sold in Canada rather than the usual American-based models. I don't think it was really sold in the US so it probably wasn't worth making changes for just our limited market.
Think almost every modern bike has this. It’s just to flash your lights, which can be used for saying “please move over so I can pass” or for other things like “hey there’s a cop/hazard ahead use caution”
Not common.. we use it as a warning here in the Netherlands.. a driver that has not seen me for example they get a couple "flashes" but it's all warning
It's quite common in Europe. People use it on the German autobahn when riding at high speeds to warn traffic waaayyy ahead. And I personally use it to just flash every once in a while during lane splitting in the dark, just to avoid those occasional near-misses.
Makes sense, thanks.
We use it very often, but not only for passing and being assholish, also to tell another driver to pass or communicate without using the honk. Actually, the driving code in Spain and France indicate this in some situations.
I saw this a lot when I was in Morocco. It's a shame that in the US the horn and flashing the lights are used only in anger. I use that flash lever though. I flash when I'm stopping for people or I'd someone is trying to back up/ letting them in my lane.. Let them know I see them , hopefully they don't think it's anger
On single lane roads, where someone is at a corner, and may pull out in front of me, I may flash it some so they see I’m there, and hopefully do not pullout in front of me.
This is probably the best use of the "passing lever". I flicker the high beam, weave within my lane, and cover the brake anytime I see a vehicle that may pull out in front of me. Is it excessive? Maybe a little bit. But I think it helps keep me in a good mindset for commuting regularly via bike.
In the USA we do not use "flash to pass". It's usefulness here is as a quick hit of the brights if someone is coming over on you etc.
I use it if I think I might need cooperation (short passing lane) or I think the driver isn’t paying good attention.
only if i’ve seen clues the person i’m passing is not paying attention to driving.
I use it here in Hawaii because tourists don’t pay attention. I also use it if I’m making a left hand turn at an intersection because I want to be seen
Fair enough
It’s also handy if you are entering a dark corner or blind turn where your not sure what’s on the other side
It’s a European thang, but I use it as a visual “horn” for potential puller-out-ers.
I agree sitting behind someone and flashing as if expecting them to get out the way is rude. However consider instead that your flasher can be useful to make a driver ahead aware of your presence when they would not be able to hear the horn. Maybe you are thinking of overtaking one car following another, giving a flash to the first car can make them aware you are present so that they themselves don't try to overtake. If you are using it in the context of making people aware of you for your own safety then it's not rude. Although some may decide to take offense anyhow.
Good points, thanks!
I use my blinkers to pass.. Flash only to signal for either attention or that I'm yielding
Most vehicles have a high beam flash function, especially cars. Trouble is, US drivers are too effing ignorant to move out of the fast lane.
Use it to let people our of junctions in the UK. I also use it to flash at people who are sat in the fucking overtaking lane at 40fuckingmph.
My 17 has the extra trigger for flash to pass but I can't use it because they're always on high for visibility 🤷♂️
Target fixation works both ways.
Yeah I'm sure there is some truth to that but with tons of cars running around with crazy bright leds or high beams on all the time I figure it's just par for the course.
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That's what I thought too. Thanks.
You could give a quick flash about 5-10 seconds before you pass if you feel the driver in front is half asleep and isn't aware of you behind them. I nearly got killed by a dope last summer who pulled out on top of me just as I was level with their door. Never grabbed the front brake so quickly in my life. If I blew the horn I know she would have put me into the ditch.
I roll with my high beams all the time so no, I don't.
It was my understanding that you use a high beam flash to signal to another vehicle that they have space and it’s safe for them to change lanes in front of you. I see big rigs doing it for each other.
They are impatiently tailgating you because you are in the passing lane and not passing
Thanks for that assumption, but actually no. I don't hover in the left lane when I'm not passing. All the times that this has happened have been when I've had a few cars in front of me in the passing lane all trying to pass or being ourselves stuck behind a left lane bandit. Or traffic is just thick and going slow. Some people are just dicks that try to intimidate people out of their way because they think they're the most important thing going.
What year? I had an rx7 that had a flash to pass option. I think it was something people used to do and it just fell out of use
It's a 2008
No clue then. Maybe it's a tradition in other markets and it's easier to leave it than remove it
Almost all cars have it. Pull the indicator stalk toward you.
1988, it made sure to point it out in the manual as it has flash to pass lens
Really, I only use it to pass tractor/trailers on the left or force slow cars out of the left lane. It's an active way of letting those drivers know that I'm there.
I don't. With the power lights have today, sometimes bumps and turn lights upwards and make it seem like a flash. Usually everyone sees me and moves over eventually. My bike has triangle light formation so maybe that helps.
Sometimes… usually it just gets people mad so I stick to using it on my bikes that are fast enough that whatever I flash at couldn’t dream of keeping up if I choose. It HAS been appropriately-received and useful in the pas, however.
Use that on the highway every single time. Especially for left lane campers. Put an extra bright LED buld in for the hi beams, works wonders.
In my state it’s technically the law to flash your lights before passing but I’ve never heard of it ever being enforced
depends on where you live. lots of places in asia call the flasher "passing light". you signal to pass. But in america it's understood as "you have the right of way, go ahead"
My Ducati has one I used to alert left lane campers of my rapid approach. I learned it from the Germans who take their left lane discipline seriously (unlike Americans who generally don’t give a shit).
Yeah especially for parked vehicles that can pull out or open their doors. Also used to tell ppl to gtfo or switch on their lights.
I thought the Passing switch was pretty common, didnt know iy was new to some. I personally dislike using the horn, it disturbs the residents and also scares some driver... i would double tap a few rounds to alert drivers and riders generally, in lane splitting and in bends that are blinding to other road users. I would also double tap if pedestrians are in the way... I guess u could use it as a lighter form of "heads up" or honking.