Lights Hypicroacy me or him?

Probably just karma more than anything.

the brighter your light the less likely they are to recognize your face

@Drewdane 101716 wrote:

OK, I tried really hard to let this slide, but I just can’t stand it.

hypocrisy

Trying to copy edit Bob has destroyed better editors than we.

I have been covering my light to on-coming cyclists for years now. I generally ride west in the mornings and east in the evenings so I’m in the minority and thus getting far more cyclists coming towards me than the other way round. I have noticed a dramatic increase in night cycling traffic on the WOD, 4MR, and MVT this year, and so an increase in lights. On last night’s 20 mile commute I decided to count:

29 cyclists crossed my paths (I covered my light each time)
2 covered their lights in return
3 cyclists were using high powered strobes
4 cyclists were using blinkies (2 were Cap Bikeshares)

… of the remaining 20 cyclists more than half had either lights pointed directly into my face, or were running 800 lumens (guessing) or higher, or both. I will continue to cover my light because It makes me feel like a good citizen, and it’s rare that I’m so blinded it becomes dangerous, but I am considering riding at 5:00 am and 3:00 pm to avoid the problem entirely.

@Dickie 102364 wrote:

I have been covering my light to on-coming cyclists for years now. I generally ride west in the mornings and east in the evenings so I’m in the minority and thus getting far more cyclists coming towards me than the other way round. I have noticed a dramatic increase in night cycling traffic on the WOD, 4MR, and MVT this year, and so an increase in lights. On last night’s 20 mile commute I decided to count:

29 cyclists crossed my paths (I covered my light each time)
2 covered their lights in return
3 cyclists were using high powered strobes
4 cyclists were using blinkies (2 were Cap Bikeshares)

… of the remaining 20 cyclists more than half had either lights pointed directly into my face, or were running 800 lumens (guessing) or higher, or both. I will continue to cover my light because It makes me feel like a good citizen, and it’s rare that I’m so blinded it becomes dangerous, but I am considering riding at 5:00 am and 3:00 pm to avoid the problem entirely.

My light is mounted under my front basket. There’s no way to cover it but it has a euro beam anyhow (sharp cutoff like low beams). How would you count me? Would I be one of the 29?
Hypothetical question.

@Dickie 102364 wrote:

I have been covering my light to on-coming cyclists for years now. I generally ride west in the mornings and east in the evenings so I’m in the minority and thus getting far more cyclists coming towards me than the other way round. I have noticed a dramatic increase in night cycling traffic on the WOD, 4MR, and MVT this year, and so an increase in lights. On last night’s 20 mile commute I decided to count:

29 cyclists crossed my paths (I covered my light each time)
2 covered their lights in return
3 cyclists were using high powered strobes
4 cyclists were using blinkies (2 were Cap Bikeshares)

… of the remaining 20 cyclists more than half had either lights pointed directly into my face, or were running 800 lumens (guessing) or higher, or both. I will continue to cover my light because It makes me feel like a good citizen, and it’s rare that I’m so blinded it becomes dangerous, but I am considering riding at 5:00 am and 3:00 pm to avoid the problem entirely.

Twice last night heading west on the WOD I was blinded by on-coming cyclists who didn’t cover their high lumens lights, and each time I ran over a large rock or some such thing (who knows what it was…I couldn’t see it!!), and each time I almost lost control of my bike and crashed, all whilst covering my light.

@Dickie 102396 wrote:

so the higher powered lights are helpful when in auto traffic but not accessible to switch easily on the fly.

Really? I have been very comfortable with about a 200 lumen light and I do all my riding in auto traffic. I always assumed the high lumen stuff was for people who have to actively light their own path since the trails had no street lights / ambient light.

Whatever keeps us all riding and safe.

FYI: the Exposure brand lights (out of the UK but sold here) have a remote switch that allows you to easily switch between high and low lumens.

Also, Exposure produces the Strada light that is specifically designed with commuting in mind. I use a Strada but without the remote switch because my handlebars are so tiny that I simply don’t have sufficient real estate. I utilized the remote when I had flat bars on another bike and loved it.

Product Details

Exposure’s Strada Mk5 Road Specific Light features the same high-tech resin lens technology as the rest of Exposure’s lights, except a distinct beam pattern provides better light dispersion for paved surfaces. The lens is specifically designed to maximize light collection from the two Cree XPG R5 LEDs and efficiently produce a flat, wide pattern to light shoulders and road ahead without disturbing oncoming cyclists and motorists alike. And, with an output of 800 lumens, not blinding other road users becomes crucial. It also includes a remote switch so you can shuffle between a ‘dipped beam’ and bright without removing your hands from the bars. Another safety oriented feature is Exposure’s Smart Port Technology Plus. It’s a cylindrical plug on the back of the lamp unit that allows you to insert the smart charger, but, also enables accessories like a red LED taillight, back-up batteries, or you can charge other USB-powered devices with it. Smart Port Technology automatically recognize each accessory and configures the system to take a charge or power accessory lights. Powering the Strada Mk5 is an 8700mAh Lithium ion battery that’s packaged inside the CNC’d, aerospace grade aluminum housing. The extensive machining, however, isn’t just to look cool. It’s actually designed to help heat transfer — to physically cool the light. Packing two Cree XPG R5 LED’s, the Strada Mk5 can generate excessive heat. One way it’s managed is through the weather-tight body, the other way it’s managed is with Exposure’s patented Intelligent Thermal Management (ITM). If the internal temperature gets too high, ITM kicks in and automatically drops the power level down to the next lowest setting. It will remain at the lower setting until the temperature inside the housing returns within normal operating range. This, and the weatherproof housing, ensures the light’s battery and LED bulbs are safe from moisture, muck, and heat for a long life span. The Strada Mk5 also features Exposure…

• Road specific design with unique beam pattern to avoid blinding oncoming cyclists and pedestrians (similar to the concept of high and low beam in a car)
• 800 Lumens from 2 Cree XPG LEDs
• OMS customizable run times and output
• 228 grams