cyclists at night
Discussion
Blib said:
I often ride my bicycle through the quiet, Suffolk lanes. I'm out and about on my bicycle all summer long. Only when it's sunny mind. Im not mad.
My bicycle is fitted with a battery which means that I can wizz along up hill and down dale. Which is nice.
But, enough about me. I have a question.
What I want to ask is why aren't offside mirrors mandatory on bicycles?
They're a godsend to me, as I can tell what's driving up behind me and respond accordingly. It has added immeasurably to my cycling enjoyment.
I'd wager 99% of cyclists don't use one.
My theory is that they don't look 'cool' or 'Tour de Francy' enough. But, what the heck do I know?
I use the technique of looking over my shoulder to see if it is safe to move, such as pulling out to turn right... Or pulling out round an obstacle.My bicycle is fitted with a battery which means that I can wizz along up hill and down dale. Which is nice.
But, enough about me. I have a question.
What I want to ask is why aren't offside mirrors mandatory on bicycles?
They're a godsend to me, as I can tell what's driving up behind me and respond accordingly. It has added immeasurably to my cycling enjoyment.
I'd wager 99% of cyclists don't use one.
My theory is that they don't look 'cool' or 'Tour de Francy' enough. But, what the heck do I know?
For the latter, it should not have been necessary, as a driver should have been predicting the obvious need to pull out.
911hope said:
I use the technique of looking over my shoulder to see if it is safe to move, such as pulling out to turn right... Or pulling out round an obstacle.
For the latter, it should not have been necessary, as a driver should have been predicting the obvious need to pull out.
With a mirror you wouldn't have to. I honestly cannot see the downside to this. For the latter, it should not have been necessary, as a driver should have been predicting the obvious need to pull out.
Blib said:
ScotHill said:
Blib said:
I often ride my bicycle through the quiet, Suffolk lanes. I'm out and about on my bicycle all summer long. Only when it's sunny mind. Im not mad.
My bicycle is fitted with a battery which means that I can wizz along up hill and down dale. Which is nice.
But, enough about me. I have a question.
What I want to ask is why aren't offside mirrors mandatory on bicycles?
They're a godsend to me, as I can tell what's driving up behind me and respond accordingly. It has added immeasurably to my cycling enjoyment.
I'd wager 99% of cyclists don't use one.
My theory is that they don't look 'cool' or 'Tour de Francy' enough. But, what the heck do I know?
Because a rider can generally hear what's coming behind them and can look over their shoulder, neither of which a driver can do. Bicycle mirrors also move around and vibrate a lot, they're just not very good.My bicycle is fitted with a battery which means that I can wizz along up hill and down dale. Which is nice.
But, enough about me. I have a question.
What I want to ask is why aren't offside mirrors mandatory on bicycles?
They're a godsend to me, as I can tell what's driving up behind me and respond accordingly. It has added immeasurably to my cycling enjoyment.
I'd wager 99% of cyclists don't use one.
My theory is that they don't look 'cool' or 'Tour de Francy' enough. But, what the heck do I know?
Yes. I've watched some cyclists look over their shoulder over the years. Most don't bother, others do and then destabilise themselves.
Often, it appears that they're unaware of my approach until I'm relatively close.
IME, vibration is not an issue as all that I need is confirmation that something is approaching. The mirror does that job perfectly well, in my experience.
It's the Tour de Francy thing really, isn't it?
I manage with a rubber clip on mirror on my EXC F350 (single cylinder big thumpy off road bike - nothing much else is more "vibey" than my bike) - you stretch it round your handle bar and it has a small convex mirror and it works well. I use it as I lead groups on and off road and it really helps to be able to glance behind without looking over your shoulder to check you've not lost anyone.
I can't hear some electric cars approaching form behind when I'm on foot, let alone cycling.
Blib said:
911hope said:
I use the technique of looking over my shoulder to see if it is safe to move, such as pulling out to turn right... Or pulling out round an obstacle.
For the latter, it should not have been necessary, as a driver should have been predicting the obvious need to pull out.
With a mirror you wouldn't have to. I honestly cannot see the downside to this. For the latter, it should not have been necessary, as a driver should have been predicting the obvious need to pull out.
Hence 'lifesaver'.
Blib said:
With a mirror you wouldn't have to. I honestly cannot see the downside to this.
How about the file of view being insufficient or if the it is sufficiently wise, then the perception of distance is impossible.The issue with mirrors is not the issue. A cyclist needing to look behind is before making a position change (lane, or moving to turn right), This is an obvious self preservation move. Someone who doesn't think like this will not look in a mirror either.
What other cases are you thinking of?
Skeptisk said:
captain.scarlet said:
My experience of them has been that they are exactly that and achieve that. Not the same levels of light pollution as before because the light is directed downwards unless adjusted otherwise. The older types would throw light everywhere by default.
I thought I'd taken more photos that had the new streetlights in my local area. These were actually taken early in January 2021 to report the shoddy road surface at a crossroads and the flooding whenever it was a bit wet...and the potholes on top of the speed table. A traffic-calming measure within a traffic-calming measure.
You can see the difference in light output and visibility.
Fair enough that we may have differing views on this topic, but I think a combination of DRLs, brighter street lighting, complacency on the part of some (but not all) cyclists and general absent-mindedness are factors in road users not switching on their lights.
Blimey. Is that really the state of roads in the UK? I’ve seen better in the third world.I thought I'd taken more photos that had the new streetlights in my local area. These were actually taken early in January 2021 to report the shoddy road surface at a crossroads and the flooding whenever it was a bit wet...and the potholes on top of the speed table. A traffic-calming measure within a traffic-calming measure.
You can see the difference in light output and visibility.
Fair enough that we may have differing views on this topic, but I think a combination of DRLs, brighter street lighting, complacency on the part of some (but not all) cyclists and general absent-mindedness are factors in road users not switching on their lights.
It's the tip of the iceberg.
You should see the uneven Yorkstone flags on the pavement that get ripped up and stolen only to be 'temporarily' patched up with tarmacadam (nope, not even sand-coloured concrete flags), or those that have sunken to create troughs that have become filled with soil and dirt - real slipping hazards.
monthou said:
Skeptisk said:
I think bikes should have to have functioning lights and you should be fined if you don’t have them fixed (and they obviously should be used at night).
You'd fine people cycling at midday for not having functioning lights?You sound fun.
Maybe it would be better to make lights compulsory for daytime running too (like motorbikes) as anything that increases the likelihood of you being seen can’t hurt.
monthou said:
911hope said:
monthou said:
You'd impose mirrors because smug arrogant s
t unsafe cyclists.
And you'd expect them to use these mirrors?
Do you accept the possibility that there are some safe cyclists?t unsafe cyclists.And you'd expect them to use these mirrors?
Read it again. In the context of what I quoted.
Yes, I believe it's like giving the dog a bone. Impose mirrors or fit them and in time, some will use them. Others may not and may prefer to remain oblivious whilst expecting motorists to do their safety for them, but more fool them.
Skeptisk said:
monthou said:
Skeptisk said:
I think bikes should have to have functioning lights and you should be fined if you don’t have them fixed (and they obviously should be used at night).
You'd fine people cycling at midday for not having functioning lights?You sound fun.
Maybe it would be better to make lights compulsory for daytime running too (like motorbikes) as anything that increases the likelihood of you being seen can’t hurt.
Because it's grossly disproportionate.
Because it wouldn't be enforced.
Because it will put people off cycling.
Never going to happen because no government will do the last one.
911hope said:
Blib said:
With a mirror you wouldn't have to. I honestly cannot see the downside to this.
How about the file of view being insufficient or if the it is sufficiently wise, then the perception of distance is impossible.The issue with mirrors is not the issue. A cyclist needing to look behind is before making a position change (lane, or moving to turn right), This is an obvious self preservation move. Someone who doesn't think like this will not look in a mirror either.
What other cases are you thinking of?
At least a mandatory mirror would encourage some of those to take a glance.
Skeptisk said:
monthou said:
Skeptisk said:
I think bikes should have to have functioning lights and you should be fined if you don’t have them fixed (and they obviously should be used at night).
You'd fine people cycling at midday for not having functioning lights?You sound fun.
Maybe it would be better to make lights compulsory for daytime running too (like motorbikes) as anything that increases the likelihood of you being seen can’t hurt.
Draxindustries1 said:
smn159 said:
Draxindustries1 said:
The amount of cyclists I have to shout at out the n/s window to use the firkin cycle track is unreal...
Jesus wept 
Hopefully your inevitable accident won't be too serious for the other road user
Edited by smn159 on Sunday 31st July 12:40
captain.scarlet said:
monthou said:
911hope said:
monthou said:
You'd impose mirrors because smug arrogant st unsafe cyclists.
And you'd expect them to use these mirrors?
Do you accept the possibility that there are some safe cyclists?t unsafe cyclists.And you'd expect them to use these mirrors?
Read it again. In the context of what I quoted.
Yes, I believe it's like giving the dog a bone. Impose mirrors or fit them and in time, some will use them. Others may not and may prefer to remain oblivious whilst expecting motorists to do their safety for them, but more fool them.
I use mirrors on my motorcycle.
I don't use them on a bicycle.
I might try one at some point but it will be for convenience, not safety.
Will you have police stopping mirrorless bicycles?
How high a priority would it be for them?
What will the penalty be?
How many lives will it save?
Will existing bicycles need mirrors?
What about helmets, hi-viz, 'road tax', insurance, number plates, lights, MOTs?
After all these pages of the usual pointless back and forward, with the usual car driver sneers at ‘mamils’, ‘tour de Francers’, etc, I would like to ask the OP who these ‘cyclists’ he saw without lights actually were.?
The term ‘cyclist’ covers a very broad church in the same way the term ‘motorist’ does. So the ‘cyclists’ without lights could be 16 year old inner-city teenagers on their mountain bikes doing drug deals, people cycling to or from a night shift, right across to recreational cyclists on high-end expensive road bikes. So given all the different characteristics, attitudes and circumstances that ‘cyclists’ can have, any post that asks ‘why don’t cyclists……’ is as ridiculous as classifying all motorists in the same box and asking ‘why don’t motorists do such and such..’
The term ‘cyclist’ covers a very broad church in the same way the term ‘motorist’ does. So the ‘cyclists’ without lights could be 16 year old inner-city teenagers on their mountain bikes doing drug deals, people cycling to or from a night shift, right across to recreational cyclists on high-end expensive road bikes. So given all the different characteristics, attitudes and circumstances that ‘cyclists’ can have, any post that asks ‘why don’t cyclists……’ is as ridiculous as classifying all motorists in the same box and asking ‘why don’t motorists do such and such..’
Draxindustries1 said:
There's a dedicated very well paved newish cycle track which runs from Wroxham (,Norfolk) to Horning , around 5 miles. Its a B road and very twisty. Its used at weekends by the tour de France leftovers who seem to refuse the cycle track but use the pot holed road instead.
The amount of cyclists I have to shout at out the n/s window to use the firkin cycle track is unreal...
Would you take well to cyclists shouting at you to use an alternative road ?The amount of cyclists I have to shout at out the n/s window to use the firkin cycle track is unreal...
No, then don’t shout at cyclists, you don’t get to decide where they cycle, as someone shouting at me from a car is liable to just piss me off. I do wonder sometimes why some cyclists don’t use a track, I can only speak for myself and I have certain criteria, but shouting at them ? That’s just weird and pompous.
Are you so forthright when not enclosed in a car ?
As for no lights, I don’t get it, it’s usually teenagers on mountain bikes dressed in black or oddbods who happen to ride a bike. Lights are very cheap and effective these days, it’s just pure stupidity, but it is also amazing how many cars have one or more bulbs out.
I personally have front at rear lights running at all times, as means you can be seen at a greater distance, and in low light conditions like under tree lined roads.
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