Newbie warning: Low Sun.

[Banjo]

This is the one time I will ride on the pavement. Slowly and carefully looking out for pedestrians.

 

[mjr]

How is doing an emergency turn going to stop a car hitting you from behind? That's my main concern in these conditions.... I can watch for the car not seeing me at a junction and be prepared.

It won't but my main concern in these conditions is drivers at junctions not looking properly to the sides. Those following tend to be looking ahead.

If you look at the photos the only thing that is showing up other than silhouettes are the car rear lights so why can't I also have a rear light on too? Cars drivers are looking out for red lights.

I disagree but I'll look again from a bigger screen tomorrow.

 

[Pale Rider]

I try to avoid riding into a low sun, but I am with @summerdays on using a rear light.

It might do a bit of good, probably won't, but as it's on the bike anyway and costs next to nothing to run you may as well switch it on.

 

[summerdays]

It won't but my main concern in these conditions is drivers at junctions not looking properly to the sides. Those following tend to be looking ahead.

I disagree but I'll look again from a bigger screen tomorrow.

I was blinded myself to what was ahead of me, so why do I think that a driver behind me could see any better than me.

 

[HLaB]

I was clipped a few years back by a speedingdriver the excuse the driver gave was they forgot their sun glasses and the low sun was bright. FFS what happened to slowing down (ie driving to the conditions) and pulling your visor down (they've been standard fittings in cars for some time now)

 

[oldstrath]

Please don't. It can't compete with the sun unless it's also dazzling and dazzling lights are dangerous and illegal.

It's worth learning how to do an emergency turn if you haven't already, plus wear black (not sun like yellow) and sit up and try to make yourself cast a larger shadow.

Try to find quieter or safer routes or vary the time if reasonable, but if you've got to go east or west, you've got to go...

I love the juxtaposition of 'your lights won't make any difference' and 'the colour of your jacket matters'. I seriously doubt both can be true.

 

[Mr. Cow]

plus wear black (not sun like yellow)

And in the event you are hit, the motorist will bleat smidsy because you weren't wearing high viz.

 

[simongt]

I agree that a good bright rear lamp is a good idea in such circumstances. I consider myself lucky in that on my daily commute, I always have the sun behind me, so the added advantage that I have no problem seeing things. However, the sun does sometimes catch my helmet mirror - Ouch - !

 

[mjr]

And in the event you are hit, the motorist will bleat smidsy because you weren't wearing high viz.

They can bleat all they like and they will anyway whatever you wear, but it's better to minimise the risk of being hit by not wearing yellow.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Please don't. It can't compete with the sun unless it's also dazzling and dazzling lights are dangerous and illegal.

@summerdays Please do! I use my dropout-mounted Magicshine as a fog light in times of seriously reduced visibility, and I include riding towards low sun in that - as permitted by the Highway Code.

 

[Profpointy]

I love the juxtaposition of 'your lights won't make any difference' and 'the colour of your jacket matters'. I seriously doubt both can be true.

Well lights are the same colour as the sun and a black jacket isn't - so don't quite see your point

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I love the juxtaposition of 'your lights won't make any difference' and 'the colour of your jacket matters'. I seriously doubt both can be true.

Waterlooville lollipop man’s bright uniform may have been ‘camouflage’

"A jury was told the combination of the glare from the sun and the bright yellow, orange and silver uniform may have made lollipop man Ray Elsmore difficult to see.

The evidence was read out at Southampton Crown Court from a statement by Dr Martin Langham, who specialises in the effect of glare on drivers."​

(The driver was charged with causing death by careless driving but the case was dropped.)

​

 

[ufkacbln]

What annoys me is that we go through this, the sun rises as the year progresses, and for a few days it is fine

Then the clocks change and put my commute back into the low sun for another couple of weeks

 

[ufkacbln]

Waterlooville lollipop man’s bright uniform may have been ‘camouflage’

"A jury was told the combination of the glare from the sun and the bright yellow, orange and silver uniform may have made lollipop man Ray Elsmore difficult to see.

The evidence was read out at Southampton Crown Court from a statement by Dr Martin Langham, who specialises in the effect of glare on drivers."​

(The driver was charged with causing death by careless driving but the case was dropped.)

​

Not the first time IIRC in the early 80's there was a cyclist killed and the verdict was also that the hi-viz had rendered him invisible against the background

 

[Profpointy]

I suspect the "low sun" excuse is often a retrospective one, a bit like 'suicide death swerve" that experienced cyclists are alleged to have done just before being run over.