Cyclists with no lights...grrrr

[cyberknight]

I'm very tempted to give these people a quick lecture as i overtake them (mostly girls on little cute commuter bikes).

Tollers

So would i but the wife would kill me if i talked to cute girls

 

[ttcycle]

I think people just don't realise that they become very hard to see - maybe some people who only started to commute this summer or something similar.I saw someone in a high viz, arms bands, trouser clips etc and thought why kit yourself out with all that and no lights??

 

[Norm]

I was in a car yesterday at 5pm going from Bracknell to Crowthorne.

Blimey, you were in my back yard.

On that bit of road, Swinley Forest possibly featured in their ride. I've done that place at night even with lights and it's fecking scary.

 

[Tollers]

I'm really interested by these responses, but i'd be especially interested to hear more from the "cityfolk". Don't worry i'm not a hick.

I turned into a bit of a ninja last night, as I riding without a rear light worth a mention for about 1 1/2 miles, but not deliberately. I lost my backup up light.

Thats fair enough. Battery life is hard to predict so youre forgiven.....today.

I think people just don't realise that they become very hard to see - maybe some people who only started to commute this summer or something similar.

TT you're ever the diplomat. I only started commuting this year, but that shouldnt excuse amyone. Perhaps i'd forgive Monday, but Tuesday is inexcusable as a cheap set of lights costs peanuts.

I didn't cycle tonight, but will be doing 10 miles on way home tomorrow and testing the water by offering my free "tolleradvice" to anyone who doesn't look like they have an attitude problem. I'll let you all know how it goes.

Seen a lot of it this week but it's their lookout not mine.

Is it just me that worries they will end up injuring me then?

The poll is currently 59:4. Would be interesting to hear more from the 4 (i'm asssuming you are one of them GrasB). I want a proper workout on the ride home and i'm now seriously reconsidering changing my route to make it slower, but more hilly so i can still get my heart going without having to race. If i'm still frustrated next week, please expect me to post something asking about steepest hills in London

Tollers

 

[Tollers]

So would i but the wife would kill me if i talked to cute girls

The bikes were cute, not the girls. The girls were hard to see.......at least i think they were girls. Oh no......got to question my sexuality now !!!

 

[Tollers]

"If you want to live to see Christmas get some lights!"

OK......I like that.....every lightless person i see is now going to hear this. I promise to let you guys know every response

Tollers

 

[darkstar]

I rode in the dark for the first time today, we were in a group of 13, one lad didnt have any lights so we just surrounded him! I badly need some new ones though, as my current ones have never been used up to now, they were a gift 2 years ago and are shocking. They weight about a kilogram and are about as powerful as a candle.....

 

[hackbike 666]

Even a bit of light clothing (reflectives) is better than dressed as a ninja with no lights.

The nearest I had to a collision was with a ninja (last year) who I saw very late.

 

[GrasB]

(i'm asssuming you are one of them GrasB)

No didn't vote...

 

[summerdays]

I normally ride with either 1 or 2 rear lights, - 1 if is still light-ish, but 2 for darkness, and I also have a Backupz on my helmet. I've only the one front light normally so that would be more of a problem if I lost that whilst out or the batteries died. Most of my cycling is in daylight even in wintertime as I work part time to be able to accompany my youngest child on the school run. Even his bike has lights and that's for cycling at 8.30 am and 3.30 pm - though usually only put on in bad weather.

 

[JiMBR]

It was practically daylight when I cycled in this morning, but I still had one front and one back light switched on....just paranoid I guess.

Although I have a fairly short commute, I always see loads of cyclists without lights, hi-viz etc....makes me wince.

 

[thomas]

To the people who say they wouldn't loose any sleep if some ninja without light got squished I'd have to say you're probably wrong.

I've seen it moments after on a fast road (60mph). Man lying in gutter of the road, front down. 10 meters or so further up, a car, with a bicycle stuck underneath.

Cyclist had no lights, completely in black. Completely his fault.

It still sent chills down my back and made me think it over when I got to bed.

 

[redjedi]

Saw something shocking a couple of days ago.

While getting a lift home (still not riding ) we were going around the green in Chiswick, lots of traffic and not the widest of road.

It was before the clocks went back so was more dusk than dark, when we saw a cyclist with no lights. No too unusual for London, but he was pulling what looked like a trailer.
I thought he should really have a light on the trailer at least so drivers know to give him more room.
As we got alongside I realised it was a child trailer with a young kid in it

I couldn't believe he didn't have any form of light on it. I would have at least 2 on the trailer itself.

It's one thing putting yourself in danger, but why put a helpless child in harms way.

 

[XmisterIS]

Only time I have ridden in the dark with no lights was a while back when my batteries died and I had no spares with me ...

 

[CharlieB]

Probably worth adding to this thread that I've seen a few guilty motorists of late, so it's not just the cyclists…