Riders without lights
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Riders without lights
I've been doing a regular M-W-F morning ride for the past month or so. 20 mile route on Siesta Key and at 0530 it's wonderful. Virtually no cars and I can ride in the middle of the lane. I've moved my average mph up about 2 mph over the past month so I am enjoying the progress.
I've got a red blinker on the back of my helmet and on my tire bag under the seat. My 500 lumen front light lights the way.
There are two guys I regularly see - one always going the opposite direction and another I always pass - that have no lights at all. On Friday the guy I pass was wearing black shorts and a black shirt. It's pitch black outside!
While I want to call out "hey pal, get some lights" I've kept my mouth shut and hope the local cop will stop him.
Should I say something or is this a Ron White 'you can't fix stupid' deal?
I've got a red blinker on the back of my helmet and on my tire bag under the seat. My 500 lumen front light lights the way.
There are two guys I regularly see - one always going the opposite direction and another I always pass - that have no lights at all. On Friday the guy I pass was wearing black shorts and a black shirt. It's pitch black outside!
While I want to call out "hey pal, get some lights" I've kept my mouth shut and hope the local cop will stop him.
Should I say something or is this a Ron White 'you can't fix stupid' deal?
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I've asked myself that 1000 times.
Part of me wants to stop and have a friendly chat about how headlights are pretty cheap nowadays, how much the increase safety, and how if they can't afford it, I'd gladly buy them one.
The other part of me knows that I'll probably be told to mind my own effin business.
Part of me wants to stop and have a friendly chat about how headlights are pretty cheap nowadays, how much the increase safety, and how if they can't afford it, I'd gladly buy them one.
The other part of me knows that I'll probably be told to mind my own effin business.
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"You need some lights" would be perfectly valid and non-offensive. If they react poorly, that's their problem. Their state of ninja-ness is not just a hazard to them, but to you or others, too.
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You see him three times per week. Rather than be perceived as the know-it-all jerk who tells him to get lights, how about starting with a friendly greeting? There's no rush to get him lit up since he has clearly been doing this for quite a while without getting whacked and a few more trips likely won't get him killed. After you've gotten him to respond to your "good morning" greetings a few times, then you can move on to let him know that he's kind of hard to see. He'll probably own his invisibility and get lights shortly after that.
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They see your lights. They know what lights are. There really isn't anything you can tell them that they don't already know. So odds are your sound advice would not be well received.
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That is my reaction, as well, except that an unlit cyclist -- particularly contraflow, but even in my own direction -- could endanger me, as well. I do freely yell "wrong way" at contraflow cyclists and get the expected F.U. response, but these clowns are a real menace.
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Some folks don't know/realize how invisible they are to others. I see this all the time on my walks and rides on our trail system.
How about a friendly - "I would be able to see you, and it would be safer, if you had some lights" I do this, and sometimes get results.
When I walk in the dark, I often strap on a red rear flasher, as well as a flashlight, and a couple of other walkers do, also.
How about a friendly - "I would be able to see you, and it would be safer, if you had some lights" I do this, and sometimes get results.
When I walk in the dark, I often strap on a red rear flasher, as well as a flashlight, and a couple of other walkers do, also.
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If you are like me you have a box full of old lights that probably are destined to never be used again. Bring a couple of these redundant lights with you on your next ride where you see these ninjas and offer to give them a set.
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I've been doing a regular M-W-F morning ride for the past month or so. 20 mile route on Siesta Key and at 0530 it's wonderful. Virtually no cars and I can ride in the middle of the lane. I've moved my average mph up about 2 mph over the past month so I am enjoying the progress.
I've got a red blinker on the back of my helmet and on my tire bag under the seat. My 500 lumen front light lights the way.
There are two guys I regularly see - one always going the opposite direction and another I always pass - that have no lights at all. On Friday the guy I pass was wearing black shorts and a black shirt. It's pitch black outside!
While I want to call out "hey pal, get some lights" I've kept my mouth shut and hope the local cop will stop him.
Should I say something or is this a Ron White 'you can't fix stupid' deal?
I've got a red blinker on the back of my helmet and on my tire bag under the seat. My 500 lumen front light lights the way.
There are two guys I regularly see - one always going the opposite direction and another I always pass - that have no lights at all. On Friday the guy I pass was wearing black shorts and a black shirt. It's pitch black outside!
While I want to call out "hey pal, get some lights" I've kept my mouth shut and hope the local cop will stop him.
Should I say something or is this a Ron White 'you can't fix stupid' deal?
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I don't know how LACBC does it.
Operation Firefly | LACBC
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You can't fix stupid.
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I don't know how LACBC does it.
Operation Firefly | LACBC
Operation Firefly | LACBC
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… There are two guys I regularly see - one always going the opposite direction and another I always pass - that have no lights at all. On Friday the guy I pass was wearing black shorts and a black shirt. It's pitch black outside!
While I want to call out "hey pal, get some lights" I've kept my mouth shut and hope the local cop will stop him.
Should I say something or is this a Ron White 'you can't fix stupid' deal?
While I want to call out "hey pal, get some lights" I've kept my mouth shut and hope the local cop will stop him.
Should I say something or is this a Ron White 'you can't fix stupid' deal?
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
I'm inclined not to give advice. Most frequently when I encounter a ninja while riding, my surprised "Whoa!" hopefully indicates to them that I didn't see them.
On one occasion I did admonish a cyclist with oncoming too-bright, blinding lights on a darkened MUP, and though I couldn't make out the words, it sounded like a Mind-Your-Own-Business reply. On my AM commute currently as now it's in the dark, it seems there are not a few riders who (self-righteously) overdo the lights to the detriment of oncoming riders, but that's another topic.
On one occasion I did admonish a cyclist with oncoming too-bright, blinding lights on a darkened MUP, and though I couldn't make out the words, it sounded like a Mind-Your-Own-Business reply. On my AM commute currently as now it's in the dark, it seems there are not a few riders who (self-righteously) overdo the lights to the detriment of oncoming riders, but that's another topic.
If inclined, one needs to says something clearly,and definitively to get the message across. My best thought so far is ‘”Heads up.” as if I am suddenly surprised by their presence, because I was startled since I just saw them. (I also use that with oncoming lit-up riders too). And let's not forget the peds, skateboarders, dog walkers, etc.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 12-14-15 at 05:16 PM.
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On my AM commute currently as now it's in the dark, it seems there are not a few riders who (self-righteously) overdo the lights to the detriment of oncoming riders, but that's another topic.
That sure rings true. There are times I wonder if people know that their lights have more than one setting and that on a dark bike path, all they are doing by leaving them on the MAX setting is ruining their night vision. Some of those 1000+ lumen lights are ridiculously bright for someone rolling along at 15 miles an hour or so.
One of the nice things about a helmet light is the ability to have something bright enough to see where you are going, but narrow enough to point out of someone's eyes when they are approaching.
That sure rings true. There are times I wonder if people know that their lights have more than one setting and that on a dark bike path, all they are doing by leaving them on the MAX setting is ruining their night vision. Some of those 1000+ lumen lights are ridiculously bright for someone rolling along at 15 miles an hour or so.
One of the nice things about a helmet light is the ability to have something bright enough to see where you are going, but narrow enough to point out of someone's eyes when they are approaching.
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After a weeks time the lights are No Longer on their bikes.
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I have to dodge Ninja cyclists, walkers and runners in dark clothing in the dark to get out of my neighborhood to the ride. Florida law requires reflectors but no one enforces it, Nor do they cite motorists who hit cyclists
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On my AM commute currently as now it's in the dark, it seems there are not a few riders who (self-righteously) overdo the lights to the detriment of oncoming riders, but that's another topic.
That sure rings true. There are times I wonder if people know that their lights have more than one setting and that on a dark bike path, all they are doing by leaving them on the MAX setting is ruining their night vision. Some of those 1000+ lumen lights are ridiculously bright for someone rolling along at 15 miles an hour or so.
One of the nice things about a helmet light is the ability to have something bright enough to see where you are going, but narrow enough to point out of someone's eyes when they are approaching.
That sure rings true. There are times I wonder if people know that their lights have more than one setting and that on a dark bike path, all they are doing by leaving them on the MAX setting is ruining their night vision. Some of those 1000+ lumen lights are ridiculously bright for someone rolling along at 15 miles an hour or so.
One of the nice things about a helmet light is the ability to have something bright enough to see where you are going, but narrow enough to point out of someone's eyes when they are approaching.
The problem is, that there are no streetlamps and the cycle lane cuts through old farmland etc .... it's pitch dark
but you can see oncoming cyclists, even if they have poor lights .... however, there are pedestrians who use these cycle paths aswell ... they dont wear hi-viz clothes, so you only see them with normal lights when you are 3 meters away ....
I ride carefully and slower at night but I need to get stronger lights and will most probably offend oncoming cyclists
Last edited by dim; 12-14-15 at 02:22 PM.
#21
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On my AM commute currently as now it's in the dark, it seems there are not a few riders who (self-righteously) overdo the lights to the detriment of oncoming riders, but that's another topic.
That sure rings true. There are times I wonder if people know that their lights have more than one setting and that on a dark bike path, all they are doing by leaving them on the MAX setting is ruining their night vision. Some of those 1000+ lumen lights are ridiculously bright for someone rolling along at 15 miles an hour or so.
That sure rings true. There are times I wonder if people know that their lights have more than one setting and that on a dark bike path, all they are doing by leaving them on the MAX setting is ruining their night vision. Some of those 1000+ lumen lights are ridiculously bright for someone rolling along at 15 miles an hour or so.
Re helmet lights. One guy I see often has a very bright helmet light. The problem is he always looks at me as we pass. Damn thing is blinding. I held my hand up to block it the other day, maybe he got the hint.
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I've also decided others can see my lights and how the work. As for "salmons" if I say anything ( rarely) it's "ride WITH traffic."
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When should someone have lights? I don't ride at night, strictly a recreational rider who unless something drastic happens won't be out after dark but often the daylight is starting to dim and some places heavily wooded area it's pretty dim sooner. I haven't needed lights to guide my way home, I can see fine but I worry less about me hitting what I can't see and more about being hit because I was seen.
I have a small cheap set I picked up a K-Mart on close out for (I think) $4.00 2 LED Flash Light Reflector Cycling Bicycle Head Front Rear Wheel Silicone ME307 | eBay . I keep them in my under-the-seat bag in case I need them. My question is, when should I get them out and have them on?
I have a small cheap set I picked up a K-Mart on close out for (I think) $4.00 2 LED Flash Light Reflector Cycling Bicycle Head Front Rear Wheel Silicone ME307 | eBay . I keep them in my under-the-seat bag in case I need them. My question is, when should I get them out and have them on?