Night time training can be a fatal thing?

[GuardTwin]

Most of my work hours end at 8 recently so I have been training during night time but I have noticed that I've been experiencing more close calls with other road users but I keep finding a Black BMW driver (probably the same driver) getting way too close on the same long road. I'm going to try avoid this road.

Does anyone cycle at night for the enjoyment if so do you notice the close pass increase compared to day time or is it the other way around for you? I am curious because I notice some friends telling me night time is safer for them but their area is completely different from mine.

Heres a video I noted as Ironic, the BMW did not scare me but just raised a little alarm which probably means I am use to it and all I do is make a little "OOOOOH" Or "Heeeeeeyyy" sound. Bad or good?

 

[Kookas]

Decreases

 

[MikeW-71]

I find they pass wider at night and are more cautious.

 

[slowmotion]

Richmond Park's good at night. They close the gates at about 7pm and you only share the road with the deer and the odd mad, bad badger.
Elsewhere, if you have good lights and reflective stuff, you are probably better off than in daylight. Certainly less traffic.

 

[screenman]

Seems to me that helmet wearers have more problems with other road users than non wearers.

 

[L14M]

@screenman thats just superstitious

I ride at night, don't really notice much of a difference except the lesser visibility. But, I try to cycle on quieter roads than on a weekend ride!

Liam

 

[MrWill]

Decrease, espesh when I have bright lights on.

 

[Kies]

Richmond Park's good at night. They close the gates at about 7pm and you only share the road with the deer and the odd mad, bad badger.
Elsewhere, if you have good lights and reflective stuff, you are probably better off than in daylight. Certainly less traffic.

If they close the gates ...how does one get in or out?

 

[marcusjb]

Pedestrian gates are always open, except for culling seasons.

I ride big miles in the dark - I generally feel safer and more visible and have never had any issues night riding.

 

[DWiggy]

How bright is your rear light?, the brighter the rear light generally gets me nice wide passes (moon xp). I say at night I mean during the winter when its dark I don't usually ride out of hours.

 

[jonnysnorocket]

I find drivers tend to give me more room at night, I really enjoy my night time commute and look forward to it

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Very late night riding, less traffic, generally less nonsense from nobber-drivers though sometimes the odd cliched hot-hatch full of lads will chuck an egg or a coke bottle.

Commuting in the dark. Same shoot different time of day. I try and avoid it as fr as possible these days.

 

[slowmotion]

If they close the gates ...how does one get in or out?

There are big gates across the road at the park entrances that get locked. There are narrow gates by the pavement that are only wide enough for pedestrians and bikes. They stay open 24/7 unless they are shooting the deer.

Edit: Here is Roehampton Gate earlier this evening....

 

[mattobrien]

If / when I ride at night it is usually on unlit country roads. I find an absurdly bright rear light helps to make sure I am seen from several miles away and can be given a appropriately wide berth.

 

[buggi]

i get way more room at night. If they gave me that much room in the day I'd never be angry.