Legality Of Helmet Led Lights

[JustJosh]

Anyone on here know about the legality of adding LED lights to your helmet?

I know that when they're secured to the "Vehicle", white for front, Red for back, and yellow for sides. But what if they're on your helmet? Technically, your helmet is not part of your vehicle... or is it?

Your helmet, being the highest point on your vehicle, is said to be the most visible. Hence why HiViz colored helmets are becoming more popular and why cops ALL have white on the very top of their helmet. I want to make my own helmet as visible as humanly possible. It may or may not looks like a christmas tree... we'll find out!

Anyways, thoughts on this?

 

[Runnin1ife]

I know there are a couple manufacturers that sell helmets with built in LED's. GMAX has one, the LED is on the rear, it has multiple modes, and it is red.
That probably does not help too much, but as long as your not "blinding" anyone on the road I personally think it is a great idea!!!

 

[SighBored]

Some rider jackets have built-in LED bars, so I guess if you follow along those lines should be just fine, as long as it's not "strobing" wildly or "blinding" it should be fine.

 

[TheFloridaRider]

I have the Gmax one but rarely use the light. There's a kit where it'll emulate what your brake light is doing.

 

[Runnin1ife]

I have the Gmax one but rarely use the light. There's a kit where it'll emulate what your brake light is doing.

Thats pretty sweet, but I would not use it either. I do a fair amount of night riding and enjoy it as well. I am not saying LED on the helmet is a bad idea, just there are other options.
Every piece of my gear has reflective piping in the visible areas. Not as good as a flashing light true, but it doesnt hurt.

 

[TheFloridaRider]

I mostly use it in the rain to make myself more visible. I use it on Flashing mode, I don't have the brake kit thing.

 

[sixmiffedy]

I think anything that makes you more visible is a fantastic thing to have.

 

[JustJosh]

Thanks for all the feedback! I plan to add an RGB controller so you can select what color, adjust brightness, or set the mode however you want. Once it's done I'll do some videos on visibility distance of high viz vest vs led helmet

 

[AfterHours]

It would be a shame if a Police Officer was to pull you up for this reason when all you're trying to do is make yourself more visible and therefore safer...

 

[BlackMamba]

Make sure they are not flashing as well. also check to see if the mod will affect the road worthiness of you lid.

 

[thunderous71]

I remember a long time ago that when I was a cyclists we were always told we wouldn't be in trouble if the "alternative" lights were attached to ourself and not our bikes.

But I'm sure if a copper wanted to give you grief over it they would.

 

[JustJosh]

It would be a shame if a Police Officer was to pull you up for this reason when all you're trying to do is make yourself more visible and therefore safer...

For some reason I suspect this is inevitable, but it should be rigged up in such a way that I can adjust the color/mode/brightness on the spot when it eventually does happen. So I'll be like "Is it legal now? How about now? how about now?"

 

[JustJosh]

Make sure they are not flashing as well. also check to see if the mod will affect the road worthiness of you lid.

There will be an optional flashing mode for raves I suppose (comes with the controller) but I would leave it on a solid color setting for riding around. As for the integrity of the helmet, I WILL NOT be drilling holes (I've seen this done elsewhere on the internet) or anything like that in my lid to ensure that it's still as protective as it was before. Everything will be surface mounted.

 

[BlackMamba]

check what glues /sticky pads you use for solvents and such

 

[JustJosh]

check what glues /sticky pads you use for solvents and such

I was planning to use a go-pro sticky mount to hold the battery pack at the back of the helmet and 3M adhesive strips to connect the lights. What should I be checking them for? Something that could damage the helmet?

 

[BlackMamba]

Best way is to look at your helmet spec and see what it is made of and then look at what things can damage that material. Like some plastics turn brittle it alcohol is used on them. And some glues damage resin and such. Iv heard of normal stickers damaging helmets making weak spots in the Plastic

 

[JustJosh]

Best way is to look at your helmet spec and see what it is made of and then look at what things can damage that material. Like some plastics turn brittle it alcohol is used on them. And some glues damage resin and such. Iv heard of normal stickers damaging helmets making weak spots in the Plastic

Ahhh, good point! Thanks for pointing that out. I feel smarter now

 

[BlackMamba]

always happy to help!

 

[JustJosh]

Hey everyone! I finally got my first LED helmet light prototype up and running! I really want to post the link for you directly but the forum won't allow it until I've posted more on the board.... Till then you can search youtube for my channel "tryitathome" and it should come up

 

[JustJosh]

Aha! It finally worked! I've started a new thread for feedback on my prototype Check it out over here https://motovlog.com/threads/can-you-see-me-now-good-j-lights.10709/

Cheers! ~Just Josh