How would you tell a cyclist that you think his lighting is insufficient?

@creadinger 35857 wrote:

He was also wearing a TT aero helmet, which I thought a little strange.

Sounds like Tim just forgot to charge his light battery, again.

More seriously, if the guy was in earshot, I’d say something about almost not seeing him. I think it has – at best – a 50% chance of being well-received (figuring in that it’s coming from a driver, probably causes embarrassment, etc.). I wouldn’t chase him down to say anything.

I actually did this the other day. I shouted, in a kindly, paternal manner mind you, that “I can’t see you for s#$t.” That was after almost plowing into the black coat wearing dude riding on the darkest portion of the W&OD in Falls Church. Paternal.

@pfunkallstar 35878 wrote:

I actually did this the other day. I shouted, in a kindly, paternal manner mind you, that “I can’t see you for s#$t.” That was after almost plowing into the black coat wearing dude riding on the darkest portion of the W&OD in Falls Church. Paternal.

My dad actually talks this way, interspersed with early ’70s idioms like bitchin’.

I have a TON of experience with communicating with Ninjas.

Problems:
1) No-one wants to hear anything like criticism…. especially not someone who is kitted up. We’re not all asshats, but to be honest, many of us are.
b) You don’t have much time to tell them.

Solutions:
q) Tone is everything. Sound critical, negative or aggressive and you’re going to get blown-off and get a negative response back. Try to be positive, happy and perky and you might possibly get the message across positively.

Results:
69) No matter what you say, the message likely isn’t going to be received well.
iii) Who cares? Getting a negative reaction from Mr. Inadequate isn’t that big of a deal. S/he is going to get the message, even if it isn’t really welcomed. Actually I really do care how I’m received. I would love to have positive interactions with people on the trail. Sometimes that just isn’t possible.

Hope that helps a little.

Pete

I also find that if you start out with the mindset that this person is trying to be a responsible cyclist (or ped or driver or whatever) and just doesn’t realize whatever you’re trying to tell them, then you’ll go farther. It may not change your words, but it will your tone, and it will probably come across, even if the person is defensive at first.

This actually happened to me last night – as I was walking into the agency’s garage, a guy in all black, black bike, no light was biking out. I happened to have a handful of BikeArlington blinkies in my bag, so I said “Hey, would you like some blinky lights”. He was really grateful, took a couple lights for front and back, and turned on the lights he had on his bike all along (he mentioned he often forgets to turn them on until he gets to the dark part of his commute — to be fair, we were in Foggy Bottom, where there’s enough ambient light that I understand forgetting.

Anyway, I was so happy to be able to share the light! Thanks BikeArlington!

@baiskeli 35902 wrote:

Wasn’t trying to be snarky. Just saying that the direct approach is the best. He probably doesn’t know and would appreciate the direct input.

I think this perfectly highlights the fear most of us have when doing something like this. You’re not likely to be able to convey much beyond your actual words (like on the internet), as your facial expression is probably obscured in part by your helmet, maybe glasses, the dark, you may be moving, etc… And there’s no greater conversational context (like on the internet). And even your tone of voice may be hard to read because you may be breathing a little harder than usual, or moving, or whatever.

So the chances of something being misinterpreted are high. Since you’re delivering criticism, however constructive, this is an easy situation for the receiver to get mad at you.