cyclists at night
Discussion
MrTrilby said:
saaby93 said:
he walls are fine unless youve seen some stats to say otherwise.
You're right to question what a sporting cyclist training, travelling at 25 to 30mph would use though - is it just something that happens in Britain?
No. The rest of Europe has a much more tolerant attitude towards sharing the road safely. In Spain HGVs slow down and pass you leaving plenty of space, even on arrow straight roads. Rather than try and squeeze by at full speed. You're right to question what a sporting cyclist training, travelling at 25 to 30mph would use though - is it just something that happens in Britain?
I commute 14 miles a day by bike, mornings I'm out at 0630, late shifts that's 2330.
If I'm honest I probably see more cars running on drls or no lights at all than I do cyclists with no lights. Often I try to kindly let them know, and get a barrage of abuse...people are instantly on the defensive.
As others have mentioned overally bright/flashing led lights/not pointing down are a total pain. I always run a weak £2 flasher, and a led ebay light at half brightness pointing around 10ft infront. And two lights on the back, just incase one runs out of juice (which did happen a couple times - lesson learnt).
At the end of the day some people are morons. Some of these cycle, some drive.
If I'm honest I probably see more cars running on drls or no lights at all than I do cyclists with no lights. Often I try to kindly let them know, and get a barrage of abuse...people are instantly on the defensive.
As others have mentioned overally bright/flashing led lights/not pointing down are a total pain. I always run a weak £2 flasher, and a led ebay light at half brightness pointing around 10ft infront. And two lights on the back, just incase one runs out of juice (which did happen a couple times - lesson learnt).
At the end of the day some people are morons. Some of these cycle, some drive.
Edited by Rob_125 on Friday 5th August 17:04
nismo48 said:
MrTrilby said:
saaby93 said:
he walls are fine unless youve seen some stats to say otherwise.
You're right to question what a sporting cyclist training, travelling at 25 to 30mph would use though - is it just something that happens in Britain?
No. The rest of Europe has a much more tolerant attitude towards sharing the road safely. In Spain HGVs slow down and pass you leaving plenty of space, even on arrow straight roads. Rather than try and squeeze by at full speed. You're right to question what a sporting cyclist training, travelling at 25 to 30mph would use though - is it just something that happens in Britain?
Any 1.5metre rule?
Rob_125 said:
If I'm honest I probably see more cars running on drls or no lights at all than I do cyclists with no lights. Often I try to kindly let them know, and get a barrage of abuse...people are instantly on the defensive.
Not to mention all those cars parked at the side of the road at night, facing traffic, and all those cars parked on roads with a speed limit above thirty, again parked without parking lights turned on after dark. gazza285 said:
Rob_125 said:
If I'm honest I probably see more cars running on drls or no lights at all than I do cyclists with no lights. Often I try to kindly let them know, and get a barrage of abuse...people are instantly on the defensive.
Not to mention all those cars parked at the side of the road at night, facing traffic, and all those cars parked on roads with a speed limit above thirty, again parked without parking lights turned on after dark. But do you think any of that is as patently dangerous cycling without lights?
swisstoni said:
Car drivers aren’t perfect of course.
But do you think any of that is as patently dangerous cycling without lights?
That really depends on the circumstances doesn’t it?But do you think any of that is as patently dangerous cycling without lights?
A lot of drivers now rely on their cars to decide when the lights should be on, and because these systems are not perfect, you regularly see people driving at high speeds in very poor weather without lights.
Those drivers are far more dangerous than the odd errant cyclist in a well lit city.
Foss62 said:
swisstoni said:
Car drivers aren’t perfect of course.
But do you think any of that is as patently dangerous cycling without lights?
That really depends on the circumstances doesn’t it?But do you think any of that is as patently dangerous cycling without lights?
A lot of drivers now rely on their cars to decide when the lights should be on, and because these systems are not perfect, you regularly see people driving at high speeds in very poor weather without lights.
Those drivers are far more dangerous than the odd errant cyclist in a well lit city.
swisstoni said:
Oh, we’re in a well lit city now are we?
I would imagine so. Where do you find you encounter the majority of unlit cyclists?So, whilst cycling without lights at night is a very stupid thing to do, there are many other things you can do in or on road vehicles that are potentially more dangerous to yourself or others.
Foss62 said:
I would imagine so. Where do you find you encounter the majority of unlit cyclists?
Why majority ? If you havent seen an unlit cyclist on a dark rural road it might be because you havent seen them.Same for unlit pedestrians too.
If it was common for unlit bikes or pedestrians to be run over the articles would appear in the newpapers.
Where are they?
saaby93 said:
Foss62 said:
I would imagine so. Where do you find you encounter the majority of unlit cyclists?
Why majority ? If you havent seen an unlit cyclist on a dark rural road it might be because you havent seen them.Same for unlit pedestrians too.
If it was common for unlit bikes or pedestrians to be run over the articles would appear in the newpapers.
Where are they?
I doubt that there are too many unlit cyclists or pedestrians on dark rural roads. People in those situations aren’t there by accident, they have a pretty good idea of the hazards and are likely to be prepared.
In urban areas there are a lot of chancers, but more of an irritation to the rest of us than a major safety issue.
Foss62 said:
saaby93 said:
Foss62 said:
I would imagine so. Where do you find you encounter the majority of unlit cyclists?
Why majority ? If you havent seen an unlit cyclist on a dark rural road it might be because you havent seen them.Same for unlit pedestrians too.
If it was common for unlit bikes or pedestrians to be run over the articles would appear in the newpapers.
Where are they?
I doubt that there are too many unlit cyclists or pedestrians on dark rural roads.
Foss62 said:
I doubt that there are too many unlit cyclists or pedestrians on dark rural roads.
My estimate is 40% cyclists without lights on dark rural local roads. Terrifying when they appear out of nowhere. Cyclists are vulnerable so why take the risk of no illumination?Saw a cyclist recently with high intensity flashing red rear lamp, during daylight hours. No chance of missing him even from several hundred yards away. Reckon this obvious safety improvement should be made a legal requirement for night and day.
Two incidents spring to mind.
The first, a person dressed all in black, cycling on the (unlit) A419 dual carriageway in the dark, with no lights at all.
The second, me, cycling on a country road, in daylight, wearing a dayglo jacket, with a high intensity front light, positioned by the centreline, with my arm out indicating that I was turning right, and the woman just pulled out in front of me forcing me to slam on the brakes to avoid her.
Summary - God loves idiots, so be careful.
The first, a person dressed all in black, cycling on the (unlit) A419 dual carriageway in the dark, with no lights at all.
The second, me, cycling on a country road, in daylight, wearing a dayglo jacket, with a high intensity front light, positioned by the centreline, with my arm out indicating that I was turning right, and the woman just pulled out in front of me forcing me to slam on the brakes to avoid her.
Summary - God loves idiots, so be careful.
swisstoni said:
gazza285 said:
Rob_125 said:
If I'm honest I probably see more cars running on drls or no lights at all than I do cyclists with no lights. Often I try to kindly let them know, and get a barrage of abuse...people are instantly on the defensive.
Not to mention all those cars parked at the side of the road at night, facing traffic, and all those cars parked on roads with a speed limit above thirty, again parked without parking lights turned on after dark. But do you think any of that is as patently dangerous cycling without lights?
That said I've been in Berlin this week, sat in a restaurant and easily 50% of the cyclists had no lights/hi vis/helmets. And there are a darn sight more cyclists there than in the UK! Saw no conflicts at all, which goes to show the anticycling sentiment in the UK.
I will also add I prefer riding at night, traffic flows better/faster, cars can see you generally at distance, and they can give you more space. That said flashing lights are a must else I feel you merge into the background noise of LED lighting. Generally I run with one of each, and no they don't have to burn your retinas out.
Edited by Rob_125 on Saturday 6th August 06:04
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-62444889
And now, a proposal for tougher sentences for those cyclists who kill.
And now, a proposal for tougher sentences for those cyclists who kill.
BlueJazz said:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-62444889
And now, a proposal for tougher sentences for those cyclists who kill.
Not necessarily - its just moving the max.And now, a proposal for tougher sentences for those cyclists who kill.
remember the case here was given 12 months out of a possible 2 years rather than the max
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