It’s dark = lights

[creadinger]

This is the wrong crowd to write this to, because I know none of us is suicidal and lights have been discussed ad nauseum. Usually the problem is that people’s lights are too bright right? Anyway I feel like this needs to be said, just in case you may know somebody, and because it’s completely insane.

Since it is now dark until 7am or so – If you’re riding your bike in the dark, use some LIGHTS please!

Specifically, I’ve driven along MacArthur Blvd some mornings lately between Foxhall and Dana Pl and I see multiple people on bikes with no lights at all. These are busy roads on weekday mornings! I’d like to stop my car and get out to tell them that if they get hit they’ll have absolutely ZERO argument for insurance claims or whatever because they’re frickin invisible. But I can’t imagine that going over well. I expect this behavior from raccoons and deer, but not humans who want to avoid being hit by even the most careful drivers. When I’m on foot, I’ll sometimes call out – “get some lights please” as they zip by, but that’s about all you can say. And some have headphones on anyway.

Is it worth trying to get the local news media to make single sentence statements during traffic reports, about cyclists using lights in the dark? It is the law yes? I feel like little PSAs could make a difference in the long run. I think drivers would agree it’s a good idea as well.

Topic

[Supermau]

I couldn’t agree more. I see so many ninjas around here, specifically on Franconia Rd where motorists speed like crazy. I don’t get it. Not long after I began cycling again this spring I saw a guy on Franconia in broad daylight with a powerful strobe on his bars and that truly opened my eyes about bike lights. I could SEE the guy.

I leave work after dark, near the Capitol. Ninjas everywhere.

[Supermau]

Here’s my current setup. A couple more blinkers and a disco ball and I’ll be a regular rock show.

[video=youtube_share;PtzmaODUvgA]http://youtu.be/PtzmaODUvgA[/video]

[dkel]

I see fewer bikes without lights than peds without lights, but it’s a lot either way. All my way home last night after 7:00 I kept asking myself, do these people like navigating dark MUPs without lights? It is really dark in some places! I don’t understand how these folks even stay on the path! That’s saying nothing about whether a driver could see any of them from a moving car.

[jabberwocky]

Several years ago, I was passed by someone without lights on the W&OD well after dark. As he passed I asked if he usually rode without lights, and he kinda handwaved my comment away. A few miles later I came across a sprawl of bikes and riders. No-lights dude apparently came across someone coming the other direction (who did have lights), got confused about what lane he was in and swerved in front of him, hitting him head on. Everyone was ok. fortunately, but I certainly shook my head at no-lights.

Good lights have gotten cheap enough that there is really no excuse these days. You can pickup a magicshine knockoff and a PB superflash for like 50 bucks on amazon and be as visible as necessary.

[creadinger]

@dkel 97047 wrote:

I see fewer bikes without lights than peds without lights, but it’s a lot either way. All my way home last night after 7:00 I kept asking myself, do these people like navigating dark MUPs without lights? It is really dark in some places! I don’t understand how these folks even stay on the path! That’s saying nothing about whether a driver could see any of them from a moving car.

Yeah, I’m really only talking about the roads. Dark MUPs and joggers are their own can of worms that I really don’t want to open, because I don’t think this forum needs another fight.

But I think all can agree that on the roads, where cars rightly or wrongly are king, it is SO much more dangerous to be invisible. Even a little blinkie would be nice. Or a reflective strap or vest. Seriously people!

[Geoff]

@dkel 97047 wrote:

I don’t understand how these folks even stay on the path!

One morning last year my headlight died halfway to work. I nearly missed a turn even though I was looking for it. Angry calls from oncoming cyclists were a bonus.

I carry a backup light now.

[Harry Meatmotor]

one little tid bit, too:

I see a lot of riders using flashing rear lights. I’d recommend keeping both front and rear lights on constantly. I used to work a transportation research institute and we did a small study on different flashing and non-flashing lights for both stationary and (slow) moving road maintenance vehicles and found that steady-on lighting greatly improves other motorists’ ability to estimate speed and direction of another vehicle. Flashing lights are good for stationary objects, but not so great for moving objects.

[peterw_diy]

It’s the law in VA, yes: http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter10/section46.2-1015/

Not so crazy about all the ninja hate. Sure, total blackout is bad, but cyclists shouldn’t need 2w headlamps and hi viz to stay alive. Motorists should pay more attention.

[Supermau]

@peterw_diy 97110 wrote:

It’s the law in VA, yes: http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter10/section46.2-1015/

Not so crazy about all the ninja hate. Sure, total blackout is bad, but cyclists shouldn’t need 2w headlamps and hi viz to stay alive. Motorists should pay more attention.

No hate. But I disagree. There are many roads where, in my opinion, a cyclist with no lights has no business on at night. They (we) really can be hard to see until they (we) become a hood ornament.

[rcannon100]

Rule 312: When riding at night, the number of lights you need is one more than you have on your bike.

Risk mitigation: Can spending $20 on a flashy light reduce my risk of getting hit by 10%? 5%?

And if you add up all my lights, and reflective gear, and cycling smart, and avoiding dangerous intersections, can I reduce my risk of getting hit by 60%? 70%?

At some point small investments which reduce my risk small but significant amounts ~ that might add up to reducing my risk by large amounts ~ its a nice idea.

[AFHokie]

@Harry Meatmotor 97109 wrote:

one little tid bit, too:

I see a lot of riders using flashing rear lights. I’d recommend keeping both front and rear lights on constantly. I used to work a transportation research institute and we did a small study on different flashing and non-flashing lights for both stationary and (slow) moving road maintenance vehicles and found that steady-on lighting greatly improves other motorists’ ability to estimate speed and direction of another vehicle. Flashing lights are good for stationary objects, but not so great for moving objects.

Wasn’t there an issue when some motorcycle manufacturers started building motorcycles with two smaller headlights instead of a single light and some motorists would think it was a car, but much farther away? Because of that, they thought it was safe to cross/pull into traffic, etc only find they just cut off a bike.

[PotomacCyclist]

Some local organizations are hosting their annual bike light giveaways and safety awareness set-ups. That can help, but I agree that there are too many people who ride (and run or walk) at night with no lights, while wearing all-dark clothing. I haven’t ridden much this fall, but in the past, I often call out politely “you need a light.” I hope people don’t get upset with that statement, but better that someone gets slightly annoyed than gets into an avoidable crash because they are nearly invisible at night.

[dkel]

@PotomacCyclist 97127 wrote:

I often call out politely “you need a light.”

I’ve used this one, too, but as I ride away, I always wonder if the person I’ve spoken to thinks I meant that they must be having a hard time seeing because it’s so dark, instead of what I really mean, which is “get a light, you moron, I nearly ran right into you!“

[Supermau]

@Harry Meatmotor 97109 wrote:

one little tid bit, too:

I see a lot of riders using flashing rear lights. I’d recommend keeping both front and rear lights on constantly. I used to work a transportation research institute and we did a small study on different flashing and non-flashing lights for both stationary and (slow) moving road maintenance vehicles and found that steady-on lighting greatly improves other motorists’ ability to estimate speed and direction of another vehicle. Flashing lights are good for stationary objects, but not so great for moving objects.

It’s been my experience that strobing lights catch the eye and demand your attention. When I see a blinkie I know immediately what it is and that I should pay attention. I’ve never personally had any issue with judging direction or speed of a blinkie but you could also say that I pay more attention as a cyclist and a motorist.

[rcannon100]

There is a big big difference between a strobe and a blinkie. Strobes, well they JUST SUCK. Based on requests from this forum, I always run my lights on solid (no blinks) while on trails.

Comments on the trail ~ My attitude is that people are not going to get the message the first time. They probably wont get the message the second time. Maybe not even the third. But if we all politely repeat the message “light or reflectors please” ~ ninjas will get the message. Someone who hears that enough times on the trail will most hopefully have an epiphany.

[Author]

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