Lights on trail courtesies

[Rob_O]

I will try to remember to keep my rear lights steady while on the trail in Va. But, if rear blinkies are that bothersome to folks you almost always have the option to pass or slow down. Just sayin’.

[DismalScientist]

@Rob_O 68683 wrote:

I will try to remember to keep my rear lights steady while on the trail in Va. But, if rear blinkies are that bothersome to folks you almost always have the option to pass or slow down. Just sayin’.

Perhaps some of the complainers really don’t have the option to pass.:rolleyes:

[consularrider]

@DismalScientist 68686 wrote:

Perhaps some of the complainers really don’t have the option to pass.:rolleyes:

Hmmm, then how did they get close enough to the offender to be bothered? I guess the lead rider could have passed and slowed down, turned in front, or maybe there’s too much oncoming traffic with blinding flashing lights?

[JimF22003]

I used to use a blinding Dinotte taillight that I wouldn’t run in blinkie mode on the trail. I’ve been using a much less bright Cygolite Hotshot taillight lately in blinkie mode. I just assumed it wasn’t bright enough to be a problem, but maybe it is. I rode behind a bunch of blinkie folks last night, and none of them seemed to be much of a problem.

[dbb]

@Dickie 68663 wrote:

I flashed myself in the bathroom mirror….. it was horrifying!

Some things you don’t want to imagine!

[JFF]

@Dirt 68652 wrote:

Just out of curiosity, why not? Does it take more than a few seconds to change? I’m not asking to be obnoxious, I just encounter a lot of people who don’t want to stop their run, ride or walk to do basic things that will be polite to others, increase their safety or increase their comfort. They’d rather just continue their journey. Does the few seconds it takes really make a huge difference? I still have some things that I choose not to stop and change… I totally get that feeling. I do tend to stop if it is something that affects others or my own safety. That’s just me though.

It completely depends on who you commute with. If no-one complains, then you’re probably okay. I’ve learned from this thread and from experience on the trail that I’m not the best judge of what offends or blinds people. If someone tells me that my light bothers them, then I’m pretty sure that it does. If you’re not hearing it, then you’re probably okay.

For folks who are offended by someone’s light configuration, it is very difficult to talk to someone about it in a way that doesn’t sound overly negative and confrontational. The time to interact is extremely brief. I’m still trying to find a way to communicate it. I think it is important to let people know though.

See how it goes with your commute. I’ve had runners complain about a Bike Arlington front blinkie and ask me to put it on steady. For some people, any blinkie light up front is offensive. If the folks on your commute are cool with it, then by all means go for it!!! I generally don’t run a blinkie when I’m on the trail unless it is seriously dark, dumping rain and foggy…. and even then I don’t use one up front.

Thanks y’all for the great discussion!

Fair question about why not stopping -and no, you’re not being obnoxious! I appreciate the discussion and am truly trying to see all sides of this. That said, here’s my answer: if I have reason to stop, I, of course will. I stop for red lights and wait, even when traffic clears and others blow by me. I stop to help if someone needs it. I slow or stop as common courtesy a lot. So I do stop when merited, probably more than most. I’m in a hurry but not at the expense or safety of others around me. I also, however, get into an exercise groove and cycling already takes longer than my car so every stop keeps me longer away from my family -and with changing ambient light scenarios every few minutes, not practical to keep stopping/starting to screw w/a rear blinkie that is supposed to broadcast in the dark, by definition. Yes, if I thought my rear blinkie was inherently bad form/dangerous to someone behind me, I’d absolutely stop to turn it off. I guess I just don’t see the issue. I regularly ride at night and never once has a blinkie bothered me…and yes, I pass far more people than who pass me so I come up on multiple blinkies each night.

At the risk of stepping into it with others here, while I fully agree headlights need to be averted to oncoming bikes/joggers (akin to highbeams on the highway), me thinks the agnst directed at rear blinkies is far overstated. Just don’t focus on it and you are fine. The positive safety benefits FAR outweigh someone supposedly blinded coming up behind me. If I were picking my spots to get miffed at fellow cyclists, this one would not even be way down on the list, it would not be on the list.

[hozn]

@JFF 68805 wrote:

At the risk of stepping into it with others here, while I fully agree headlights need to be averted to oncoming bikes/joggers (akin to highbeams on the highway), me thinks the agnst directed at rear blinkies is far overstated. Just don’t focus on it and you are fine. The positive safety benefits FAR outweigh someone supposedly blinded coming up behind me. If I were picking my spots to get miffed at fellow cyclists, this one would not even be way down on the list, it would not be on the list.

I tend to agree with this sentiment. There are a couple ridiculously bright rear blinkies that might be an exception but even something like the PB SuperFlash is pretty tame. I leave my (regular) PB in blink mode on the W&OD because side visibility is very important to me at the many street crossings. I have found that being lighted (and reflective) make a big difference for being acknowledged by cars. And I commute against traffic and west of Arlington, so I almost never have anyone riding behind me.

Of course, if anyone let me know it was bothering them I would happily turn it off. That hasn’t happened yet (unlike front light which got me yelled at pretty quick when I was first started winter commuting). On the rare occasions when I am riding in any sort of paceline with others I do try to remember to turn it off (or solid).

I think Dirt’s general point is spot on, though; being courteous to others on the trail is important and really doesn’t cost much.

[sethpo]

So this is my first winter season bike commuting in the DMV…mostly the D and M on the CCT…and I’m new to this forum. Glad I found it.

I’ve been agonizing over THE LIGHT ISSUE ever since my return commute has been in the dark. I’ve tried doing the hand cover thing. It’s difficult at the speeds I like to ride — and BTW, I like to ride those speeds so my 1:15 bike ride isn’t 1:35 — and with the bumps on the trails, the occasional ninja, and my profound fear of deer. Seriously, deer scare me far more than an annoyed passing cyclist yelling “YOUR LIGHT IS TOO BRIGHT” which seems to happen at least once a week but I’m starting to think it is the same lady each time who happens to share the inverse of my CCT commute pattern.

After reading this thread I’ve concluded:

— Lights are good. Without bright lights on the dark trails bike commuting wouldn’t be possible for half the year.
— You can’t please everyone so I will continue to just try and be as courteous as possible while maintaining my own desire to ride in an upright position with all skin attached.
— FWIW, I’m in the camp of people who isn’t bothered by on-coming lights. I try to reciprocate a friendly hand cover IF POSSIBLE but that is entirely dependent on various variables so no hard rules apply.
— Front strobe on trail is bad. Rear blinking Planet Bike light is going to have to be OK b/c I’m not going to remember to switch it from solid to blink for the >half of my commute on the trail. I think that seems to be the consensus from the experienced winter trail warriors here.
— Sorry, mad lady who yells at me if you are reading this. I don’t think my 420 lumen light is “TOO BRIGHT” and I point it down as much as reasonably possible while maintaining its purpose of shining light on objects far enough in front of me so I can react to them…and deer. Deer are really scary. Squirrels too. But mostly deer.

[Author]

Posts