Cyclists without lights.......
14 November 2009, 09:01 PM
#31
Also known as daz
Thanks, details are in the thread i posted, uses six of the very best single led's you can buy atm about 350 lumens per led though a 400lm s2 is on the way.
Though when in low mode i point them directly down so not to blind anyone, i do get the odd one go on full beam but they soon learn not to do that.
The rear led is what works best though it eats up batteries in 8 hours it's my **** on the line if they don't see me, been great since i've thrown that thing on the back, they must really love me now.
Been waiting for a better rear but none really match it and i refuse to buy exposure as they're a rip off.
Though when in low mode i point them directly down so not to blind anyone, i do get the odd one go on full beam but they soon learn not to do that.
The rear led is what works best though it eats up batteries in 8 hours it's my **** on the line if they don't see me, been great since i've thrown that thing on the back, they must really love me now.
Been waiting for a better rear but none really match it and i refuse to buy exposure as they're a rip off.
Last edited by hux309; 14 November 2009 at 09:04 PM.
14 November 2009, 09:04 PM
#32
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Did I say ALL cyclists are tw@ts? Where did I say that? I can't see it. I said cyclists who cycle in the dark without lights/high viz, yadda yadda yadda are tw@ts. And motorists shouldn't automatically get the blame when they collide with these tw@ts. Cyclists have a responsibility to follow the rules (and more importantly, have a responsibility to use some common sense) as well as motorsts. There are tw@ts on bikes and there are tw@ts in cars. You can't automatically single one group to always be at fault no matter what the circumstances.
) in London..
14 November 2009, 10:18 PM
#37
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14 November 2009, 10:40 PM
#38
Nick, I am taxed !!!, on three cars, Band G Council Tax, 40 percent income tax, National insurance, VAT and whatever else, as a HGV driver I cant beleive you would advocating more tax for anyone as to be honest if they tax cycling it will be a last resort after motorists and truck drivers have nothing left to give.
16 November 2009, 03:03 PM
#39
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I think it is well worth following Dunx's examble. Its your **** after all!
Les
16 November 2009, 03:09 PM
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16 November 2009, 07:27 PM
#41
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I cycle around 80 to 100 miles a week, not a great distance compared to some. When I can I much prefer to cycle off road.
I try to comply with all the rules, no red light jumping etc etc. I use two or three rear lights in the dark, at least one on continuous.
I try to ride with consideration. But I would guess that I have a close call at least once a week. From getting elbows wacked to people not giving way on local traffic calming when I have right of way, to truckers passing then pulling in early and have needed to jump onto the pavement to save being dragged under rear wheels on several occassions.
But not all motorists are *****, just like not all cyclists have a death wish.
But if any one wants to see the other side of the coin I invite you to come and ride with me around the rural roads of Far Corfeshire. Just see how bad it can be.
On the subject of flashing lights there was a case where a cyclists compensation was reduced because he had a flashing rear light. The experts claim its not easy to determine distance to a flashing light.
I try to comply with all the rules, no red light jumping etc etc. I use two or three rear lights in the dark, at least one on continuous.
I try to ride with consideration. But I would guess that I have a close call at least once a week. From getting elbows wacked to people not giving way on local traffic calming when I have right of way, to truckers passing then pulling in early and have needed to jump onto the pavement to save being dragged under rear wheels on several occassions.
But not all motorists are *****, just like not all cyclists have a death wish.
But if any one wants to see the other side of the coin I invite you to come and ride with me around the rural roads of Far Corfeshire. Just see how bad it can be.
On the subject of flashing lights there was a case where a cyclists compensation was reduced because he had a flashing rear light. The experts claim its not easy to determine distance to a flashing light.
Last edited by r32; 16 November 2009 at 07:29 PM.
16 November 2009, 07:42 PM
#42
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The original post was about cyclists without lights. As far as I'm concerned they have no comeback on anyone else if they ride after dark like that. No sympathy from me.
But there are wassocks behind the wheels of cars out there. I've been doing some cycling recently to stay fit (or rather, get back to some semblance of fitness!) around the lanes of sunny Cornwall. The number of times people have overtaken me coming up to blind bends. I wouldn't mind so much but if something suddenly appeared from around the corner you can bet your bottom dollar that they'd swerve into me to avoid them!
As for flashing lights the argument is that 'as they're flashing they are easier to see'. But none of them have to meet any sort of standard for brightness/flash rate/whatever as there are no real studies to say what works/if they work. A bit like motorbikes. The only studies I've seen about bikes with lights on is one where they were looking at the apparent speed/distance of bikes approaching someone waiting to pull out. They *underestimated* the speed of the bikes with lights on thus were more likely to pull out in front of them. My lights now stay off in the daytime, for that reason and the fact that if someone isn't looking you could be driving a dayglo bus!
It all comes down to common sense in the end, this 'staying alive on the road' lark .....
Dave
But there are wassocks behind the wheels of cars out there. I've been doing some cycling recently to stay fit (or rather, get back to some semblance of fitness!) around the lanes of sunny Cornwall. The number of times people have overtaken me coming up to blind bends. I wouldn't mind so much but if something suddenly appeared from around the corner you can bet your bottom dollar that they'd swerve into me to avoid them!
As for flashing lights the argument is that 'as they're flashing they are easier to see'. But none of them have to meet any sort of standard for brightness/flash rate/whatever as there are no real studies to say what works/if they work. A bit like motorbikes. The only studies I've seen about bikes with lights on is one where they were looking at the apparent speed/distance of bikes approaching someone waiting to pull out. They *underestimated* the speed of the bikes with lights on thus were more likely to pull out in front of them. My lights now stay off in the daytime, for that reason and the fact that if someone isn't looking you could be driving a dayglo bus!
It all comes down to common sense in the end, this 'staying alive on the road' lark .....
Dave
17 November 2009, 10:10 AM
#43
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I cycle a lot- (3 hours last night in the rain and wind for example !!!)
flashing lights are legal on a push bike....... it's recognised they are much more visible.
reasonable visible clothing, good road sense and decent lights for the time of yr all help.
some cyclists are idiots, just as are car drivers.
I watch a bloke locked on spd's, trying to balance at a stupidly busy junction this morning, wouldn't un-clip and put a foot down. kept wobbling, wobbling- and trying to force his way through all the traffic to jump the red light.
he deserved to get mown down........ darwinism.
my personal hate is drivers with fog lamps on.......... screaming feckin ghey boys.
flashing lights are legal on a push bike....... it's recognised they are much more visible.
reasonable visible clothing, good road sense and decent lights for the time of yr all help.
some cyclists are idiots, just as are car drivers.
I watch a bloke locked on spd's, trying to balance at a stupidly busy junction this morning, wouldn't un-clip and put a foot down. kept wobbling, wobbling- and trying to force his way through all the traffic to jump the red light.
he deserved to get mown down........ darwinism.
my personal hate is drivers with fog lamps on.......... screaming feckin ghey boys.
17 November 2009, 10:23 AM
#44
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I agree about the fog lights, but I did see(just about) a bloke on a bike the other day with a flashing rear light and it really did not stand out very well at all. Maybe some are better than others.
Les
Les
17 November 2009, 12:18 PM
#45
However I now find that the cold dark nights seem to have put paid to their trips which has to be a good thing surely
On the road which I use they are a menace with regards to traffic problems to be perfectly honest
17 November 2009, 12:24 PM
#46
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When i was a kid, i rode a Chopper (easy!!), which if you remember, had a great big reflector on the back, and i just couldn't fathom why drivers used to flash me if it was dark.
And that was in the days when halogen headlights were the exception rather than the rule.
These days, as a driver, i fully appreciate just how dangerous it is to cycle without lights. I think it would do a lot of cyclists who don't habitually use lights a lot of good to see just how much of a risk they're taking, by travelling in a car at night. There's simply no excuse not to use lights.
And that was in the days when halogen headlights were the exception rather than the rule.
These days, as a driver, i fully appreciate just how dangerous it is to cycle without lights. I think it would do a lot of cyclists who don't habitually use lights a lot of good to see just how much of a risk they're taking, by travelling in a car at night. There's simply no excuse not to use lights.
17 November 2009, 01:22 PM
#48
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I'd argue, as I do above, about them being easier to see. Being *recognised* as being much more visible is not the same as actually *being more visible*.
Dave
17 November 2009, 01:32 PM
#49
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Well well. They are too. See Lighting Regulations - bit at the bottom.
I'd argue, as I do above, about them being easier to see. Being *recognised* as being much more visible is not the same as actually *being more visible*.
Dave
I'd argue, as I do above, about them being easier to see. Being *recognised* as being much more visible is not the same as actually *being more visible*.
Dave
if you want to jump lights as a cycle rider, you deserve to get mown down.
ditto if you have no lights.
17 November 2009, 08:34 PM
#50
All bike lights arent created equal, there are those that think that they are to the letter of the law when they have an ancient, filthy and tiny light with marginal batteries and they are protected and will be fine, er, no it doesnt work like that, one poxy light either end with the brightness of a Big Brother contestant doesnt cut it. I happened across one the other day ambling along at about 7 mph, the light was there but barely visible.
Cyclists need to have more than one light either end, one flashing one steady to counteract the distance judging limitation (which isnt that bad really with decent lights) and to have redundancy in case one fails, in fact the more you have the better you are.
I have a Hope 2 (£170) LED at the front along with a cheap Halfords Single Led.
At the Rear, one CatEye six inch wid 8 led job and three other small flashers, one on my helmet to provide cars visibility over hedges, one on the bottom of the pannier on the right to flash onto the road and one on the right hand bar end to indicate where I end, I try to keep all the lights to the right of my centreline to try and give me more clareance from passing cars.
See, soem of us do think about it, I dont want to annoy motorists or get hurt, as it well, hurts !
Cyclists need to have more than one light either end, one flashing one steady to counteract the distance judging limitation (which isnt that bad really with decent lights) and to have redundancy in case one fails, in fact the more you have the better you are.
I have a Hope 2 (£170) LED at the front along with a cheap Halfords Single Led.
At the Rear, one CatEye six inch wid 8 led job and three other small flashers, one on my helmet to provide cars visibility over hedges, one on the bottom of the pannier on the right to flash onto the road and one on the right hand bar end to indicate where I end, I try to keep all the lights to the right of my centreline to try and give me more clareance from passing cars.
See, soem of us do think about it, I dont want to annoy motorists or get hurt, as it well, hurts !
17 November 2009, 10:18 PM
#51
Also known as daz
What about ninja motorists, the ones that think they don't need headlights, seen a few of them about of late.
As for lighting regs, already posted it.
As for lighting regs, already posted it.
18 November 2009, 08:49 AM
#52
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hey I happen to have the unfortunate luck to work in Bradford- the UK's un-insured capital for car drivers...........
try cycling here with all the great law abiding numpties !!
I'm sure bmw and audi must make cars specifically for the bradford market with no seatbelts, fog lights on full and drivers seat set to horizontal as a factory option.
and easy to finance options for the average 18 yr old yoof behind the wheel.
back to lights- there are some amazing bike lights for virtually a few pounds now led technology is what it is.
I do run a "light and motion" system for the front- but its horses for courses- wasted on most folk who just summer ride. well recommended. although that bloke making his own looks amazing.
try cycling here with all the great law abiding numpties !!
I'm sure bmw and audi must make cars specifically for the bradford market with no seatbelts, fog lights on full and drivers seat set to horizontal as a factory option.
and easy to finance options for the average 18 yr old yoof behind the wheel.
back to lights- there are some amazing bike lights for virtually a few pounds now led technology is what it is.
I do run a "light and motion" system for the front- but its horses for courses- wasted on most folk who just summer ride. well recommended. although that bloke making his own looks amazing.
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