Bike Rider Attacked Because Blinkin' Light is Too Bright

Assaulted: http://youtu.be/Mt8J0C6ktic


Bike rider has stone thrown at him because his front light is too bright and blinds pedestrian in early am.

Chill ped, & aim it downward dude. Bizarre.

Light: Bright Eyes Rechargeable bike light/ 1200 lumens

Views: 1037

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on May 26, 2015 at 9:11am
The picture on the box the product comes in shows it pointed downward.

Click on attachment below.
Attachments:
Permalink Reply by Haddon on May 25, 2015 at 6:03am

I also hate the sun and unfortunately my arm is not strong enough to throw rocks at it.

Permalink Reply by Shawn Evans on May 25, 2015 at 7:29am

Blinking lights are annoying enough when it's dark, and there's a reason to use them. But in the daylight? And those lights were very blinky. Just turn them off, or get less annoying/less blinky lights.

Permalink Reply by Irvin Steinert on May 25, 2015 at 9:30am

A blinking light is only for early dusk, late dawn or daytime. It is so people can see you better. For instance: when you are riding in a heavily shaded area and encroaching traffic is in the sun causing the drivers pupils to get small. This makes the cyclist in the shade potentially camouflaged. A blinking light in the day is a reasonable indicator without being offensive.

A blinking light in the dark situation is actually dangerous especially to some individuals that can have physical reactions like nausea or even shock.

One should always have solidly lit lights at night and always point down to be able see a second or two in front of you.

BTW none should throw stones unless it is a legitimate act of  self defense.

Permalink Reply by BootsyC on May 26, 2015 at 3:49am

There's rarely a case where I need to illuminate the pavement in the city and steady lights blend into the city background noise that drivers encounter.  I'd rather have a driver notice me and my blinking light and get slightly annoyed than get creamed by someone who doesn't register that there's a cyclist approaching. 

Permalink Reply by Waymond Smith on May 26, 2015 at 4:22am

It seems that no matter what we do as cyclists, we have to defend and justify our actions. Why is this? We act as if we're an underclass of society. Why must WE capitulate to others? 

If we are following the law in regards to bicycling why must we be the underdog? I really do not understand this mentality in the biking community.

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on May 26, 2015 at 4:40am
Yes Waymond, that is a very true and insightful point that would be a good overall discussion topic where we can consider all aspects of this mentality.

If you want to post it as a discussion of yours, go ahead.
Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on May 26, 2015 at 7:59am
"Dimmed to low beam". Which is also an irritating thing many drivers don't do. Many drivers today have these improved brighter unfocused headlights that are blinding to all. Ignored and unenforced.

Yes, we should behave, and nearly all of us cyclists follow the R of the R.
Permalink Reply by David Barish on May 26, 2015 at 7:48am

I see poor decisions at every opportunity.  1200 lumens is awfully strong.That is a setting more  appropriate for off road use. Rock throwing is completely insane.  I guess having a rock thrown at you makes it difficult to react in the best way possible. I can't say I would not have cursed the guy out as well. Turning back only made for an opportunity for more dissonance and perhaps violence. Nobody was listening to the other so the follow up encounter was pure junk food offering no value to anybody other than feeling they stated their case.  To both of their credit it was all words and it appears that the conflict did not get physical. 

Permalink Reply by Dean Bekken on July 9, 2016 at 4:34am
One thing these helmet cam view have in common: no response to violent attacks. Get off the bike , throw it on him, and have at that mother.
Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on July 9, 2016 at 6:47am

When I got my most recent front light, a cheap but very bright one, I went for a ride at night in McKinley Park (the park itself) to test it out.  I was riding along when a cop car came down the path in front of me and blinked for me to pull over, which I did.  The officer just laughed and said he had approached me because he thought I was a car driving along the bike path.  He liked bikes too, and we had a nice conversation.  After that, I became mindful to point the light down and keep it on low.  No problems since then.  I do believe that a steady light is best in front, especially if it's bright.  I used a bright headlamp for a brief time years ago, but quickly became aware that every time I looked at an oncoming car, my light was right in the driver's eyes.  So that was the end of that.  

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on July 10, 2016 at 1:33pm

It sounds like that was a very worthwhile conversation.

RSS

Groups

© 2008-2016   The Chainlink Community, L.L.C.   Powered by

Disclaimer  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service