2305 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

Daytime lights are extremely helpful for drivers.

What isn't helpful are incredibly bright bicycle lights. They sort of defeat the purpose.

[rjag]

I think the more tools at your disposal the safer you will be. Being a former professional driver and with some track experience etc, all I can say is even at the track everyone drives like the other guy is going to do something unexpected.

 

Riding a bike I would want to amplify my presence as much as possible, whether hi-vis clothing or flashing rear lights....but for crying out loud, dont be a douchebag and aim that super bright white strobe light in my face!!! 

[VicHockeyFan]

My mum grew up in England during WWII. She got a ticket from a bobby for not having lights, and that was way back then. Don't they still make lights that come on when you pedal?

 

Rechargeable batteries should be able to take care of that need.

[Mr.B]

Drivers, is there a change in perception when approaching a cyclist running lights and high vis gear?  Does seeing a well prepared cyclist who is making an effort to be as visible as possible change they way you view and approach them... even if they are wearing spandex?

[North Shore]

Daytime - rear blinking red, no front light.  Low light/night time - rear blinking red, front light that's solid white, and monkey lights on the front tire.

 

 

 

Monkey lights?  Whut's dat?

[lanforod]

Rechargeable batteries should be able to take care of that need.

 

Theres a lot to be said for the convenience of just getting on, peddling, and presto the lights turn on. There are some bikes with that built in, but not many. It can be annoying to deal with recharging bike lights, changing back light batteries, turning them on and off etc. Needs to be like a car, where you don't need to worry about it or do anything unless a bulb goes out.

[VicHockeyFan]

Theres a lot to be said for the convenience of just getting on, peddling, and presto the lights turn on. There are some bikes with that built in, but not many. It can be annoying to deal with recharging bike lights, changing back light batteries, turning them on and off etc. Needs to be like a car, where you don't need to worry about it or do anything unless a bulb goes out.

 

We had this set-up when we were kids.

 

 

Seemed it got into the spokes a lot though.  And when you were stopped, say at a traffic light, you had no light.

[VicHockeyFan]

Oh, we had the Wonderlight too!

 

 

[sebberry]

 Needs to be like a car, where you don't need to worry about it or do anything unless a bulb goes out.

 

So... get a car?  

[sebberry]

Drivers, is there a change in perception when approaching a cyclist running lights and high vis gear?  Does seeing a well prepared cyclist who is making an effort to be as visible as possible change they way you view and approach them... even if they are wearing spandex?

 

I think so, at least for me it does.  I'll often remark to myself if I see a cyclist using lights during the day. 

 

When the sun is low on the horizon and in my eyes, having a light on the front of your bike could be a matter of life or death if I can't see you coming when I make a turn.  When it's rainy and my mirrors are covered in rain-dirt/road grime and I'm relying on it to see if a cyclist is coming down the bike lane, having a light might be the only thing I can see clearly in the mirror. 

[mbjj]

I saw some neat lights at London Drugs last year. They were like a string of sausages and you could wind them around your handlebars or through your spokes I imagine. I thought they would be great in the dark.

[Mr.B]

Oh, we had the Wonderlight too!

 

 

 

haha... these are great, and l may not be of your vintage to have run such setups, but l do remember running lights that were about the size of a brick and burned through D cell batteries in what seemed like minutes! ...who doesn't remember the sad warm glow of a dying battery on an incandescent bulb?

 

Thankfully, we have much better options today.  There are a few bike brands now selling specific DRL bike lights, about the size of a 1inch cube, USB rechargeable, built purely for visibility with light sensors, variable flash/solid light patterns, high run times AND are only about $40 per light... a very approachable price for any user.

[Mr.B]

I think so, at least for me it does.  I'll often remark to myself if I see a cyclist using lights during the day. 

 

When the sun is low on the horizon and in my eyes, having a light on the front of your bike could be a matter of life or death if I can't see you coming when I make a turn.  When it's rainy and my mirrors are covered in rain-dirt/road grime and I'm relying on it to see if a cyclist is coming down the bike lane, having a light might be the only thing I can see clearly in the mirror. 

 

Glad to hear... a big part of the problem, as anyone who has read any bike related thread knows, is perception... if a driver approaches me and doesn't just default to 'spandex = d-bag', but maybe they see my light well before they judge me by my outfit, and make a choice to give me a little room because l'm making an effort to be seen... that's a win.  

 

Agreed on the front DRL... ran into a few occasions this weekend were a front light might have helped drivers see me... even though l was out mid-day, full sun on a quiet road in Saanich.  Front DRL's on the 'to buy' list now.

[mbjj]

Why can't bikes be painted with some sort of reflective paint? Would that help with visibility? Many times I've been startled while driving (and walking!)  by an all-black cyclist with no lights nor reflectors. Could tiny reflectors be imbedded in the frame?

[nagel]

Why can't bikes be painted with some sort of reflective paint? Would that help with visibility? Many times I've been startled while driving (and walking!)  by an all-black cyclist with no lights nor reflectors. Could tiny reflectors be imbedded in the frame?

As soon as all cars are painted with reflective paint I'm good with you doing my bike.

[rjag]

As soon as all cars are painted with reflective paint I'm good with you doing my bike.

Lights on all 4 corners plus DRL's not good enough for your weak eyes? Eat more carrots 🥕

[nagel]

Lights on all 4 corners plus DRL's not good enough for your weak eyes? Eat more carrots

They're fine as is.  As are how bikes are painted.  Yes they need lights in low light/night time conditions and some people don't do that.

 

But IMO the worst part about cycling is the absolutely horrid attire many of us wear.  I try and bike in normal clothing.  Go out on a bike ride with 15 people though and it's a vomited neon jungle.

[rjag]

They're fine as is.  As are how bikes are painted.  Yes they need lights in low light/night time conditions and some people don't do that.

 

But IMO the worst part about cycling is the absolutely horrid attire many of us wear.  I try and bike in normal clothing.  Go out on a bike ride with 15 people though and it's a vomited neon jungle.

Have to concur, all that neon is either too many episodes of Miami Vice, or maybe they want to mate with a parrot.

[Coreyburger]

Can we rename this something less offensive? VV has a real problem with terrible thread titles. I suggest "General bike discussion" and "Bike lanes and other bike infrastructure" for the other thread.

[nagel]

I was being facetious.  Nparker is right, this is a duplicate thread and should be closed off.