visibility at night

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on December 26, 2011 at 8:39pm

Glow in the Dark Paint.  Not sure if it's radioactive though.  Close up shot of spray paint cans in commercial 6 shots in from beginning.

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Permalink Reply by Fran Kondorf on December 26, 2011 at 10:46pm

Sweet! Put me down for a case of orange.

 I recently got a Knog Frog white LED strobe light for my helmet. Best $12 I've spent all year. 

 Good thread to revive, Anne.

 -f

Thunder Snow said:

Glow in the Dark Paint.  Not sure if it's radioactive though.  Close up shot of spray paint cans in commercial 6 shots in from beginning.

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Permalink Reply by judy s on December 27, 2011 at 6:10am

I have a problem out here in the boonies, i wear all reflective and back and tail lights, but they don't tell me in the dark when a huge tree branch is laying on the road ahead. I can only see this when i ride really really slow.  Also out here, I try to drive in the opposite side of the rode so i know when a car intends on hitting me and literally I've had 2 cars this winter already looking straight at me and heading straight for me.  I took my bike and swerved into the curb or grass. 

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on December 27, 2011 at 7:36am

It's a really bad idea to ride against traffic. Drivers don't expect it, and you're more likely to be seen where you're expected to be. Fewer than 25% of bike/car collisions occur from behind. The crash you're trying to avoid is at least three times more likely to be in front of you.

City cyclists get to cheat a little on illumination because of the prevalence of street lights and commercial illumination. City cyclists need "be seen" illumination. If you're regularly riding where there is not adequate external illumination, you need "see" and "be seen" illumination on your bike.

judy s said:

I have a problem out here in the boonies, i wear all reflective and back and tail lights, but they don't tell me in the dark when a huge tree branch is laying on the road ahead. I can only see this when i ride really really slow.  Also out here, I try to drive in the opposite side of the rode so i know when a car intends on hitting me and literally I've had 2 cars this winter already looking straight at me and heading straight for me.  I took my bike and swerved into the curb or grass. 

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Permalink Reply by mike w. on December 27, 2011 at 8:16am

Judy,

For god's sake, STOP RIDING ON THE WRONG SIDE!!!!

i cannot think of a better way to get killed by a car. Especially in the "boonies."

 

Nobody will see you where you're not supposed to be, be it oncoming traffic or people making turns into your path. The oncoming driver IF he sees you willl have almost no time to react and avoid smashing into you. Likewise, a driver looking to pull into traffic will be looking into the direction of oncoming cars and you'll be on his blind side.

 

Not to mention that another cyclist riding where s/he is meant to do will be endangered as they'll need to maneuver around you.

 

RIDE WITH TRAFFIC- YOU ARE TRAFFIC!

 

 
judy s said:

I have a problem out here in the boonies, i wear all reflective and back and tail lights, but they don't tell me in the dark when a huge tree branch is laying on the road ahead. I can only see this when i ride really really slow.  Also out here, I try to drive in the opposite side of the rode so i know when a car intends on hitting me and literally I've had 2 cars this winter already looking straight at me and heading straight for me.  I took my bike and swerved into the curb or grass. 

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on December 27, 2011 at 10:24am

My $.02:  Get a Dynohub and a real wired lighting system.  

I feel if  one expects to be taken seriously by auto traffic on the roads one needs to be using real lights -not some plastic low-powered blinky POS, or relying solely on reflective passive visibility.  Those are merely backups to a wired system running on a dyno.  

Those that don't even bother to go so far as reflective gear and blinkies are just invisible ninjas.  It's just a matter of time before a bad driver misses seeing you and doesn't miss hitting you. 

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on December 27, 2011 at 10:41am

Please DON'T ride against traffic.  It's more dangerous for you and for other users of the road, especially other cyclists, because they're not expecting you there.  Mike is absolutely right on that. 

Get a brighter headlight that will let you see what's ahead, and get a mirror so that you can see who's coming up on you.  If you have something reflective on your hand or wrist, waving at an approaching driver can get their attention if you're not sure that they see you.  Here's one headlight example that could help if a hub dyno isn't feasible on your bike.  There are other options, too.

When riding against traffic, basic physics is NOT in your favor.  You will have less time to react, not more.  You make yourself more vulnerable to head-on collisions with cars and other cyclists.  Impacts happen with greater force when they're head on.  Please ride with the traffic.

judy s said:

I have a problem out here in the boonies, i wear all reflective and back and tail lights, but they don't tell me in the dark when a huge tree branch is laying on the road ahead. I can only see this when i ride really really slow.  Also out here, I try to drive in the opposite side of the rode so i know when a car intends on hitting me and literally I've had 2 cars this winter already looking straight at me and heading straight for me.  I took my bike and swerved into the curb or grass. 

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Permalink Reply by John S. on January 16, 2012 at 1:13pm

Regarding looking like a dork, based on the fact that I've got all this stupid looking cycling gear on already, dork would be an upgrade.

Here's a guy who's got the right idea...

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