subaqua
What’s the point
- Location
- Leytonstone
only if they haven't bred already
Lights On Your Bike After Dark
- Thread starter Wester
- Start date
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defy-one
Guest
They are all going for honourable death ... Kamikaze Ninja
Davidc
Guru
- Location
- Somerset UK
Only if they get killed as a result. Then yes. And little sympathy from me.
SMIDSY perfectly understandable.
Sheffield_Tiger
Legendary Member
Maybe subconscious but even with an unlit cyclist, when driving, I can't remember ever seeing pedal reflectors and noting them - I see the cyclist first.
Nothing against them, I use them with SPD's with the reflector/platform thingy - though my main reason for buying them was to enable me to do short trips in normal shoes
But no, I can't remember the last time I drove, saw pedal reflectors and thought "ooh, it's a bicycle!"
Nothing against them, I use them with SPD's with the reflector/platform thingy - though my main reason for buying them was to enable me to do short trips in normal shoes
But no, I can't remember the last time I drove, saw pedal reflectors and thought "ooh, it's a bicycle!"
Aushiker
Über Member
Bay Runner
Guru
Last winter I passed (nearly collided) with another cyclist on the Swansea Bay Cycle path.
I could see a red light directly ahead of me closing faster than usual, (thought I was the overtaking vessel) as I got closer it became apparent that he was riding on the right hand side of the path with a red light facing forwards on his handle bar.
Pleasantries were exchanged as we passed like ships in the night
What was he or she thinking???
I could see a red light directly ahead of me closing faster than usual, (thought I was the overtaking vessel) as I got closer it became apparent that he was riding on the right hand side of the path with a red light facing forwards on his handle bar.
Pleasantries were exchanged as we passed like ships in the night
What was he or she thinking???
Aushiker
Über Member
I haven't come across to many with red-lights facing forward but it seems that some LBS here are selling orange lights as front lights. Raises the same issues as you encountered plus they are illegal for us (front lights have to be white). Stupid idea as they are interpreted as "rear lights" at least initially and possibly during that critical safety moment.
Andrew
ComedyPilot
Secret Lemonade Drinker
- Location
- The Kingdom of Yorkshire
I doubt we have many people that will support ninjas on here, cos we're all responsible, like.......
However, I do challenge the whole SMIDSY aspect of it. I have seen every ninja I have come across because they were riding without lights. To me as a keen cyclist, the fact they didn't have lights made them stand out. As a responsible driver, I saw them because I was looking for them in the first place and anticipating them being there.
I don't like people that ride without lights almost as much as I dislike football, smoking, domestic violence, drunks in pubs and the X Factor, but I still saw them because I was doing what EVERY driver should do, slowing down and anticipating hazards.
Yes, I know they should have lights, but most ninjas I have seen are in streetlit places, so are they going 'sans helio' because they:
a) Can't be arsed to buy lights
b) Can't afford lights
c) (Go with me on this one) Don't use lights (in urban areas) because they can see where they're going due to streetlights?
I am well lit up because I like to see and be seen. I ride mostly on unlit country roads, so riding without lights means I'd see nowt. Being unlit on the roads, populated by drivers with a determined unwillingness to use forward vision and no intent to slow down around vulnerable road users is, quite frankly, suicide. I would be giving them the golden bullet to shoot me and get away with murder.
However, I do challenge the whole SMIDSY aspect of it. I have seen every ninja I have come across because they were riding without lights. To me as a keen cyclist, the fact they didn't have lights made them stand out. As a responsible driver, I saw them because I was looking for them in the first place and anticipating them being there.
I don't like people that ride without lights almost as much as I dislike football, smoking, domestic violence, drunks in pubs and the X Factor, but I still saw them because I was doing what EVERY driver should do, slowing down and anticipating hazards.
Yes, I know they should have lights, but most ninjas I have seen are in streetlit places, so are they going 'sans helio' because they:
a) Can't be arsed to buy lights
b) Can't afford lights
c) (Go with me on this one) Don't use lights (in urban areas) because they can see where they're going due to streetlights?
I am well lit up because I like to see and be seen. I ride mostly on unlit country roads, so riding without lights means I'd see nowt. Being unlit on the roads, populated by drivers with a determined unwillingness to use forward vision and no intent to slow down around vulnerable road users is, quite frankly, suicide. I would be giving them the golden bullet to shoot me and get away with murder.
400bhp
Guru
You can't possibly know this.
ComedyPilot
Secret Lemonade Drinker
- Location
- The Kingdom of Yorkshire
Err, how can you possibly comment on what I have seen?
400bhp
Guru
Think about what you have said.
Devonshiredave
Active Member
- Location
- Brackley, Northants
I have my lights fitted to the bike at all times, and they're on pretty much all the time. They might not stop a SMIDSY moment, but I don't want to give anyone the excuse to say I couldn't see you.
Arfcollins
Soft southerner.
- Location
- Fareham
Ditto.
Davidc
Guru
- Location
- Somerset UK
So do I, more because being hit hurts so I want to minimise the chances of it!
