Get a clue! and a light!
I mean I can't see you as I'm riding, cars have enough trouble "seeing" us and it's not that expensive.
Front and rear cat eye lights $30 I really don't want to be in (another) bike on bike accident.
So far I've had 2 employers who didn't want to give me $20 that the govt' gives them but if enough push for it maybe, just maybe.
Front and rear cat eye lights $30 I really don't want to be in (another) bike on bike accident.
So far I've had 2 employers who didn't want to give me $20 that the govt' gives them but if enough push for it maybe, just maybe.
Views: 1722
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on
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Agreed! You may be a ninja Lightless Rider, but I'm not. And chances of me avoiding hitting you when I can't see you are much less than you avoiding hitting me, Your Ninjaness.
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Permalink Reply by mike w. on
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's funny you should post this tonight. Tonight i nearly clobbered a guy who decided to pedal though a four-way stop across my front end -not two blocks from my house. No headlamp. no reflectors, and a weak-assed tail blinky (which wouldn't have done him any damn' good.) He and i are lucky that my wife saw him in time to warn me to stop again.
i think that it's just possible that bike riders who don't drive have no clue as to just how invisible they are to those of us who do drive -especially at night. i've found that cycling made me a better driver and driving made me a better cyclist.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on
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I believe this to be true.
mike w. said:
i think that it's just possible that bike riders who don't drive have no clue as to just how invisible they are to those of us who do drive -especially at night. i've found that cycling made me a better driver and driving made me a better cyclist.
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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on
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Joe I knew you would give a shout out on this one. Hope you are well and staying bright!
Joe TV said:HEAR HEAR!!! (see see!!)
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Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on
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I was just having a conversation about lights with someone (on my bike light giveaway recap):
Person asked: What were the peeps like who you stopped? I often wonder why some cyclists have no lights, when lack of money does not seem like an issue (based on how the person is dressed, the bike, etc).
I replied: Nearly every recipient was excited to receive a light. Few -I really don't know how many- didn't know the law required a light. Several people (at least 10) had lights but they were either lost, stolen, left at home, or the batteries died. I can only recall person who said, "No, thank you" after being asked if she wanted a free light. There may have been one other similar, polite refusal.
I then talked about how managing batteries (even rechargeable ones) is inconvenient. Then I mentioned that "this $30 Blackburn headlight is charged via a small solar panel on top AND by USB cord. USB is ubiquitous: you have a power source at home and at work. There's even a USB adapter that you can plug into your front dynamo hub."
Let's promote easy-to-own lights?
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Permalink Reply by Joe TV on
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USB charging has thus far been my favorite. I was a fan of the knogs, but it's a drag when your light dies and that means another trip to the store. (especially with the watch batteries). I was turned on to the Blackburn Flea lights and I love them. When they are getting low, I just leave em charging thru the USB adapter on the computer for a few hours while I surf the chainlink and I'm bright again!
J.
Steven Vance said:I was just having a conversation about lights with someone (on my bike light giveaway recap):
Person asked: What were the peeps like who you stopped? I often wonder why some cyclists have no lights, when lack of money does not seem like an issue (based on how the person is dressed, the bike, etc).
I replied: Nearly every recipient was excited to receive a light. Few -I really don't know how many- didn't know the law required a light. Several people (at least 10) had lights but they were either lost, stolen, left at home, or the batteries died. I can only recall person who said, "No, thank you" after being asked if she wanted a free light. There may have been one other similar, polite refusal.
I then talked about how managing batteries (even rechargeable ones) is inconvenient. Then I mentioned that "this $30 Blackburn headlight is charged via a small solar panel on top AND by USB cord. USB is ubiquitous: you have a power source at home and at work. There's even a USB adapter that you can plug into your front dynamo hub."
Let's promote easy-to-own lights?
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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on
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I stepped off the curb last evening on Milwaukee in Logan Square right in front of a bike that I totally didn't see. He had a front reflector but no light and was totally invisible to me up until I heard his brakes.
Lucky for me he saw me and stopped with plenty of time before he hit me (it wasn't even close and he had his bike under total control) but I felt REALLY bad as a rider myself that I didn't see him (FAIL on my part) and that I made him stop and start again.
But I totally didn't see him. It was dark and there were many cars on the road all gridlocked. The bike was nearly invisible.
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Permalink Reply by jen on
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i totally agree on this bike light rally.... i honestly think A) people are lazy and self centered but, more so, B) people don't get the reasoning for lights. they think, "I can see without them", but what they're not thinking is "can others see me without them?". i perked up when riding past them and nicely suggest "time for some lights" or "light 'em up, friend".
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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on
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Sometimes I'll end up riding near one of these invisible cyclists, or stopped next to one at a red light (when they actually decide to stop). I usually take the "looking out for a fellow cyclist" approach and tell them something like this: "Hey, I don't know if you realize it, but with no lights or reflectors it's hard for other people on the road to see you. I'd hate to see you get hit. Why don't you get some lights?"
jen said:i totally agree on this bike light rally.... i honestly think A) people are lazy and self centered but, more so, B) people don't get the reasoning for lights. they think, "I can see without them", but what they're not thinking is "can others see me without them?". i perked up when riding past them and nicely suggest "time for some lights" or "light 'em up, friend".
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Permalink Reply by Todd Allen on
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Lights and mirrors are two of my biggest consumeables of bike riding, ranking up there with brake pads and tires. It's a bit misleading to suggest $30 will solve the problem. It will for a while, but it should be thought of as a recurring expense and not a one shot deal like the purchase of fenders.
Lights are important and I encourage everyone to buy them. But don't be quick to condemn someone riding at night without a headlight or a taillight.
Some lights break easily in an accident or when a bike merely tips over. Others develop spotty contacts that can turn themselves off on a strong bump. The switches can go bad. Batteries die at inopportune times. Sometimes lights just stop working altogether for no obvious reason. And perhaps most infuriating of all is theft or vandalization. I've taken a removable light off while parking only to return and find someone stole the almost worthless but somewhat essential plastic mount bracket.
I usually have redundant lighting, at least two headlights and taillights but due to all of the above issues there have been times when I've been caught out at night with inadequate lighting. Anyone with just a single headlight and taillight that rides regularly at night will have trouble sooner or later.
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