Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

Not sure if that was a compliment or a warning

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

Not sure if that was a compliment or a warning

Old 09-16-19, 12:58 PM
  #1  
Ogsarg
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Hollister, CA (not the surf town)
Posts: 1,724

Bikes: 2019 Specialized Roubaix Comp Di2, 2009 Roubaix, early 90's Giant Iguana

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 636 Post(s)
Liked 1,488 Times in 543 Posts
Not sure if that was a compliment or a warning

Rode my bike down hwy 25 to Pinnacles National Park and back yesterday. The park is approximately 25 miles from civilization and the road has very light traffic. On my way back, I was passed slowly in a construction zone by a highway patrol. Before she reached me, she got on her loudspeaker and said something which I couldn't fully understand. What I heard was " Your blank is blank blank to motorists". Then she went on by.

I'm thinking, what was she saying? Then realized it must be something about my tailight, which is the cygolite hot shot pro 200. Then I thought maybe she was telling me that it was blinding to motorists or perhaps just that it was highly visible to motorists. Either way, I figured it was good.

Riding on rural highways with little to no shoulder, you want people to see you from as far away as possible.
Ogsarg is offline  
Old 09-16-19, 01:01 PM
  #2  
Rajflyboy
Banned.
 
Rajflyboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Carolinas
Posts: 1,293

Bikes: Orbea

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 917 Post(s)
Liked 205 Times in 170 Posts
How nice of her to stop and give you her thoughts so that you could actually hear what she was saying
Rajflyboy is offline  
Old 09-16-19, 01:04 PM
  #3  
mcours2006
Senior Member
 
mcours2006's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 6,198

Bikes: ...a few.

Mentioned: 47 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2009 Post(s)
Liked 405 Times in 231 Posts
I'm sure to her she just performed a valuable public service. Serve and protect.😒
mcours2006 is offline  
Old 09-16-19, 01:19 PM
  #4  
subgrade
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Saulkrasti, Latvia
Posts: 898

Bikes: Focus Crater Lake

Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 391 Post(s)
Liked 336 Times in 204 Posts
200 lumen taillight can be anoyingly bright, so my money's on it being a warning.
subgrade is offline  
Likes For subgrade:
Old 09-16-19, 01:33 PM
  #5  
PickleRick
Junior Member
 
PickleRick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Finger Lakes NY
Posts: 84

Bikes: Felt Z4, Trek Remedy 9.8, Pivot 429SL Di2, Salsa Warbird Di2

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 31 Post(s)
Liked 47 Times in 18 Posts
Always amazed at how universally pathetic police PA systems are. You would think that, with such an import role, agencies could outfit their cars with products from Marshall or Klipsch etc.
....as for flash, lord knows the flashy lights on their interceptors certainly are very bright!
PickleRick is offline  
Old 09-16-19, 02:27 PM
  #6  
diphthong
Senior Member
 
diphthong's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: insane diego, california
Posts: 8,287

Bikes: 85 pinarello treviso steel, 88 nishiki olympic steel. 95 look kg 131 carbon, 11 trek madone 5.2 carbon

Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1619 Post(s)
Liked 3,087 Times in 1,670 Posts
i'd rather have motorists blinded by my rear light(s) than effectively blinded by their phones.

really really need to get back up to the hollister/pinnacles np area this spring.
diphthong is offline  
Old 09-16-19, 02:31 PM
  #7  
rumrunn6
Senior Member
 
rumrunn6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,520

Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0

Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5218 Post(s)
Liked 3,564 Times in 2,331 Posts
they should have classes about how to use a mobile PA system
rumrunn6 is offline  
Old 09-16-19, 02:36 PM
  #8  
MattTheHat 
Senior Member
 
MattTheHat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Allen, TX
Posts: 2,624

Bikes: 2021 S-Works Turbo Creo SL, 2020 Specialized Roubaix Expert

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 762 Post(s)
Liked 3,982 Times in 1,415 Posts
Clear case of flash envy.
MattTheHat is offline  
Old 09-16-19, 02:37 PM
  #9  
JanMM
rebmeM roineS
 
JanMM's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,216

Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times in 225 Posts
I always assume that unintelligible yelling from someone passing by in a car are positive and uplifting words!
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
JanMM is offline  
Likes For JanMM:
Old 09-16-19, 03:25 PM
  #10  
Paul Barnard
For The Fun of It
 
Paul Barnard's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Louisissippi Coast
Posts: 5,843

Bikes: Lynskey GR300, Lynskey Backroad, Litespeed T6, Lynskey MT29, Burley Duet

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2131 Post(s)
Liked 1,639 Times in 822 Posts
I don't know anything about your taillight. I have seen some headlights on bikes that were so bright they cause me to see spots. That's too bright and in fact a safety detriment. Have you ever seen your taillight from behind? It may have focus characteristics that make it so bright that motorists have to look away. Just a thought.
Paul Barnard is offline  
Old 09-16-19, 03:42 PM
  #11  
Ogsarg
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Hollister, CA (not the surf town)
Posts: 1,724

Bikes: 2019 Specialized Roubaix Comp Di2, 2009 Roubaix, early 90's Giant Iguana

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 636 Post(s)
Liked 1,488 Times in 543 Posts
Originally Posted by Paul Barnard
I don't know anything about your taillight. I have seen some headlights on bikes that were so bright they cause me to see spots. That's too bright and in fact a safety detriment. Have you ever seen your taillight from behind? It may have focus characteristics that make it so bright that motorists have to look away. Just a thought.
Yes. I have looked at it and if you are really directly looking at it, it is quite bright and for daytime use, that is what I want. As you get off angle, it is much less bright and I have a hard time seeing how it would blind anyone or cause them to avert their eyes to keep from being blinded.

For the record, I've never used this light at night and do not see a reason to have anything that bright except for daytime use.
Ogsarg is offline  
Likes For Ogsarg:
Old 09-16-19, 07:37 PM
  #12  
smoore
Senior Member
 
smoore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Hour north of Atlanta, Gainesville GA
Posts: 981

Bikes: Primary ride now a LOOK 585-Love it.

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 122 Post(s)
Liked 55 Times in 40 Posts
Originally Posted by Paul Barnard
I don't know anything about your taillight. I have seen some headlights on bikes that were so bright they cause me to see spots. That's too bright and in fact a safety detriment. Have you ever seen your taillight from behind? It may have focus characteristics that make it so bright that motorists have to look away. Just a thought.

Agree totally. Frankly, unless you're riding at night I'm not really sold on the importance of a front light. But I really want people on their cell phones bearing down on me from behind to see me....even if it irritates them for a few seconds while they do so.
smoore is offline  
Old 09-17-19, 04:46 AM
  #13  
Paul Barnard
For The Fun of It
 
Paul Barnard's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Louisissippi Coast
Posts: 5,843

Bikes: Lynskey GR300, Lynskey Backroad, Litespeed T6, Lynskey MT29, Burley Duet

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2131 Post(s)
Liked 1,639 Times in 822 Posts
It happens with frightening regularity. Motorists run into emergency vehicles with their flashing lights energized. Why? Is there a lesson we can apply to our irritating or annoying lights?
Paul Barnard is offline  
Old 09-17-19, 05:25 AM
  #14  
u235
Senior Member
 
u235's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,185
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 437 Post(s)
Liked 133 Times in 86 Posts
She said, hey good looking, we'll be back later to pick you up later.
u235 is offline  
Old 09-17-19, 05:35 AM
  #15  
fishboat
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 1,888

Bikes: Lemond '01 Maillot Jaune, Lemond '02 Victoire, Lemond '03 Poprad, Lemond '03 Wayzata DB conv(Poprad), '79 AcerMex Windsor Carrera Professional(pur new), '88 GT Tequesta(pur new), '01 Bianchi Grizzly, 1993 Trek 970 DB conv, Trek 8900 DB conv

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 750 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 799 Times in 467 Posts
Originally Posted by smoore
...even if it irritates them for a few seconds while they do so.

Nothing wrong with a flashing light in terms of safety..however, we all know that irritated drivers are totally rational beasts. A light that's too bright may well attract as much grief as it repels. It only takes one..
fishboat is offline  
Old 09-17-19, 06:00 AM
  #16  
PickleRick
Junior Member
 
PickleRick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Finger Lakes NY
Posts: 84

Bikes: Felt Z4, Trek Remedy 9.8, Pivot 429SL Di2, Salsa Warbird Di2

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 31 Post(s)
Liked 47 Times in 18 Posts
Originally Posted by u235
She said, hey good looking, we'll be back later to pick you up later.
A HA HA!....wow, blast from the past! Where is Ronco when you need them??
PickleRick is offline  
Likes For PickleRick:
Old 09-17-19, 06:27 AM
  #17  
Lemond1985
Sophomore Member
 
Lemond1985's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 2,690
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1628 Post(s)
Liked 1,057 Times in 631 Posts
What I heard was " Your blank is blank blank to motorists". Then she went on by.
Sounds like the CHP hired one of the adults from the "Charlie Brown" cartoons to be a patrol officer. Was bound to happen sooner or later. I hope this "P.A. system" type of policing does not catch on. I can just imagine. "Attention masked bandits, stop robbing that bank immediately, I order you!"

I agree with the other poster that said to just assume it was something encouraging, such as, "Your athletic prowess is intimidating to motorists."
Lemond1985 is offline  
Old 09-17-19, 06:56 AM
  #18  
bakerjw
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: NE Tennessee
Posts: 917

Bikes: Giant TCR/Surly Karate Monkey/Foundry FireTower/Curtlo Tandem

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 169 Post(s)
Liked 84 Times in 62 Posts
Actually, the PA systems that are used double as the sirens. Acoustical clarity is not the prime factor in their designs.
bakerjw is offline  
Old 09-17-19, 07:15 AM
  #19  
Lemond1985
Sophomore Member
 
Lemond1985's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 2,690
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1628 Post(s)
Liked 1,057 Times in 631 Posts
Ah, so us civilians are not expected to hear the precise words of the LEO loudspeaker announcement, just the overall tone and timbre, and react accordingly? I guess that's pretty much what I do already.
Lemond1985 is offline  
Old 09-17-19, 07:29 AM
  #20  
DrIsotope
Non omnino gravis
 
DrIsotope's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SoCal, USA!
Posts: 8,553

Bikes: Nekobasu, Pandicorn, Lakitu

Mentioned: 119 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4905 Post(s)
Liked 1,731 Times in 958 Posts
Originally Posted by Paul Barnard
It happens with frightening regularity. Motorists run into emergency vehicles with their flashing lights energized. Why? Is there a lesson we can apply to our irritating or annoying lights?
No, there isn't. It's unclear as to whether or not phototaxis is a thing in humans, but target fixation absolutely is. Every ambulatory movement taken by a human being absolutely relies on target fixation, whether that be a point in our vision, the source of a sound, or any other stimulus.

The biggest danger to a cyclist is the driver that doesn't see them. Conspicuity is important. If the flashing of a taillight irritates a passing car for the 2 seconds it takes them to pass, well frankly, good.

Bicycle taillights are brightest directly on-axis for a reason. From ~8 feet to either side, they're not nearly as bright-- visible, but not blinding.
__________________
DrIsotope is offline  
Old 09-17-19, 08:48 AM
  #21  
pdlamb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,842

Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee

Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2575 Post(s)
Liked 1,900 Times in 1,192 Posts
Originally Posted by DrIsotope
Bicycle taillights are brightest directly on-axis for a reason. From ~8 feet to either side, they're not nearly as bright-- visible, but not blinding.
Could you elaborate? I can't think of a good reason to have a beam like a laser pointer; I'd rather have the light distributed pretty evenly over 30-60 degrees.
pdlamb is offline  
Old 09-17-19, 09:11 AM
  #22  
DrIsotope
Non omnino gravis
 
DrIsotope's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SoCal, USA!
Posts: 8,553

Bikes: Nekobasu, Pandicorn, Lakitu

Mentioned: 119 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4905 Post(s)
Liked 1,731 Times in 958 Posts
Brightest on-axis because that's where someone is going to be when they hit you. Having it spray light 30º off to either side is just going to make it dimmer to everyone. Think flashlight vs. floodlight. From an oblique angle, a light needs only be visible and recognizable. From a narrow cone surrounding "dead on," it should be irritatingly bright.
__________________
DrIsotope is offline  
Old 09-17-19, 09:40 AM
  #23  
Bigbus
Very Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Always on the Run
Posts: 1,211

Bikes: Giant Quasar & Fuji Roubaix

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 413 Post(s)
Liked 343 Times in 244 Posts
Originally Posted by u235
She said, hey good looking, we'll be back later to pick you up later.
Or she was commenting on your firm butt cheeks from all that riding... Just saying.
Bigbus is offline  
Old 09-17-19, 12:36 PM
  #24  
Miele Man
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,655

Bikes: iele Latina, Miele Suprema, Miele Uno LS, Miele Miele Beta, MMTB, Bianchi Model Unknown, Fiori Venezia, Fiori Napoli, VeloSport Adamas AX

Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1324 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times in 640 Posts
Originally Posted by Paul Barnard
It happens with frightening regularity. Motorists run into emergency vehicles with their flashing lights energized. Why? Is there a lesson we can apply to our irritating or annoying lights?
It's called "the Moth effect". Drivers are attracted top blinking or flashing lights. Also, it's been show that it's very hard to judge how far away a blinking or flashing light really is. I run two lights on the rear of my bike at NIGHT. One is steady on and the other is a blinking light not a high-speed flashing or strobe-like light.

Cheers
Miele Man is offline  
Old 09-17-19, 02:04 PM
  #25  
AndreyT
Full Member
 
AndreyT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 495
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 244 Post(s)
Liked 55 Times in 30 Posts
Originally Posted by bakerjw
Actually, the PA systems that are used double as the sirens. Acoustical clarity is not the prime factor in their designs.
Fair point. But what about airport PA systems at boarding gates in US airports? The system itself is usually pretty poor, and combined with interference from people talking, other PA sources talking and general ambient noise their announcements usually sound like unintelligible "mumble mumble mumble". What puzzles me to no end is why they can't just accompany their announcements with the same info displayed on the TV screens by the gate... There are exceptions, but they are very rare.
AndreyT is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.