...here in WA I think it is technically illegal to have a flashing white headlight, but I think amber is OK.
That's interesting. I've never heard of a local law like that. I would think common sense would dictate that a constant white light would at least be legal in that situation, otherwise the law is essentially making it impossible for a cyclist to be able to illuminate their path on a dark night.
Solid white headlight is not only legal, but required after dark.
(1) Every bicycle when in use during the hours of darkness as defined in RCW 46.37.020 shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the state patrol which shall be visible from all distances up to six hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector. A light-emitting diode flashing taillight visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear may also be used in addition to the red reflector.
I think the prohibition on flashing front light is generic, not specific to bikes. There is a clause specifically allowing blinking red taillights on bike.
(3) Flashing lights are prohibited except as required in RCW 46.37.190, 46.37.200, 46.37.210, 46.37.215, and 46.37.300, warning lamps authorized by the state patrol, and light-emitting diode flashing taillights on bicycles.
Note there is also a clause about the aiming of lights:
which projects a beam of light of an intensity greater than three hundred candlepower shall be so directed that no part of the high intensity portion of the beam will strike the level of the roadway on which the vehicle stands at a distance of more than seventy-five feet from the vehicle.
-john
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