The Dark Side of Bike Commuting...
12-03-21, 03:53 PM
#26
El Rayo X
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Isn't "irritating" drivers the whole point? I mean, the non-ordinary nature of a flashing rear light is what gets their attention. And I want their attention. I also want to hold their attention. I want them to have to pay enough attention to that "irritating" flashing red light that they can't simply make a small adjustment to their course and go back to the text they are writing (because if you pay attention, at least every 5th car has a distracted driver these days, if not more. And I'm paying attention).
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12-08-21, 12:39 AM
#27
Full Member
Bought my girlfriend a Showers Pass Odyssey jacket for her ride/walk to work. Jacket is dark grey with subtle lighter grey pattern on it (street maps of major cities, actually). But when hit by light, this is what happens.
Potato photo quality from phone but you can see how reflective the jacket is with direct light (phone flash). When light hits it off-axis it's not nearly as reflective. For comparison, the red light is a PDW blinky light and a forward pointing blinkie on the stem. There are passive reflectors on the wheels, pedals, and her boots.
Potato photo quality from phone but you can see how reflective the jacket is with direct light (phone flash). When light hits it off-axis it's not nearly as reflective. For comparison, the red light is a PDW blinky light and a forward pointing blinkie on the stem. There are passive reflectors on the wheels, pedals, and her boots.
Lol.
I own this one, Proviz Switch
https://www.provizsports.com/en-gb/s...eflective.html
Proviz is the popular choice in UK, prices are acceptable as well.
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12-14-21, 10:05 AM
#28
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fwiw - thought of you commuters recently
on my way home from work yesterday, in the dark, driving my car, I briefly spotted a cyclist on the other side so I moved over allowing more room for those cars on their side to move around them. but I only spotted the cyclist briefly. they had 1 small not so bright headlight. a light on their helmet, higher than the cars would have been better. & maybe something brighter
last night I spotted another in a similar situation but their tiny little light blended in with all the others lights in traffic. a 2nd light in flash mode would have helped identify what I was seeing
on my way home from work yesterday, in the dark, driving my car, I briefly spotted a cyclist on the other side so I moved over allowing more room for those cars on their side to move around them. but I only spotted the cyclist briefly. they had 1 small not so bright headlight. a light on their helmet, higher than the cars would have been better. & maybe something brighter
last night I spotted another in a similar situation but their tiny little light blended in with all the others lights in traffic. a 2nd light in flash mode would have helped identify what I was seeing
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12-14-21, 04:51 PM
#29
aka Tom Reingold
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A lot of cyclists seem to think their lights are adequate when (I think) they are not. Lights have improved a lot in recent years, so an excellent light is pretty affordable. I don't think maximum power is appropriate but the light should be seen unmistakably.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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12-16-21, 05:33 PM
#30
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I think NYC presents a different set of circumstances to many places, even other cities, but I find that a lot of bike headlights that city riders use are too bright/blinding. I have no issue with bright rear lights, but I find it frustrating and dangerous when there are frequent bikes coming in the other direction on two-way paths with blinding lights (such as on the 59th street bridge). The solution could be as simple as angling the light down, as I always make sure to do, but alas...
Last edited by robertorolfo; 12-16-21 at 08:24 PM.
12-16-21, 05:52 PM
#31
Banned.
"With the blast shield down, how am I supposed to ride?" <<< patented BF signature
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12-16-21, 08:56 PM
#32
aka Tom Reingold
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Yeah that’s annoying but it’s not as self-endangering as riding without adequate lights. We really don’t need super bright lights most of the time in the city. Maybe we need to raise awareness of what we’re doing. I was working in a shop and sold a guy a bright headlight. I told him to be careful how he aimed it, and it was a novel concept to him.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
01-08-22, 01:22 AM
#33
Junior Member
you have pelotas of steel dude. I'd be sporting a hologram brake light that projects another bike rider behind me so he takes the hit.
