People are trying to avoid me

[jay clock]

Well it feels like that as cars are going out of their way to avoid me! I got a new Blackburn Mars 4.0 rear light a few weeks back http://www.blackburndesign.com/mars_4.html - As I work from home I do not really commute, but I used it last night at rush hour from Winchester to Southampton. Cars were steering fully onto the opposite side of the road, or holding back until properly clear to overtake.

Result!

 

[BentMikey]

Yes, I get much the same with my BLT Fantom XR9

 

[HLaB]

I fitted the Mars 4.0 a month or two back in addition to my smart/bespoke 1/2 watt and touch wood people seem to be giving me more space too. At the front I use a bespoke 1/2 watt and a cateye 510 and less people seem to be pulling out also.

Edit the only annoying thing one of the 2 teeth on the inside of the bracket of the mars has snapped off.

 

[Tynan]

I bolted the Mars straight to the rack

I also have it almost next to a SmartFlash plus a cateye 10led job

No doubt at all that people see you, only some still choose to squeze past or cut you up

 

[hackbike 666]

I was after a brighter back light as it goes.

 

[thomas]

Anyone got a photo on how bright it is?

 

[Tynan]

search the forum, someone did some pics

it's more intense then the smart flash but not a great deal more effective imho

 

[fossyant]

If you have a problem with the Blackburn -just email their customer services - they have a 'lifetime warranty'

Mars 3.0 and 4.0 here very good....

 

[John the Monkey]

Anyone got a photo on how bright it is?

http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=21788

 

[Amanda P]

On a similar note, I paused on the way home in the dark yesterday to put my gloves on. I have a long-sleeved hi-viz jacket, of exactly the same pattern that the police wear. I stopped just inside a 30 mph limit that most drivers cheerfully ignore.

Funny how people steaming round the corner put their brakes on and drove steadily through the village...

I think that jacket it makes some drivers thing what they're about when I'm riding too. Of course the regulars on my route to work know it's "only" me. But they know me (at least by sight - no-one else cycles my route!) and are mostly pretty considerate anyway.

Bin men and road workers wear yellow vests, but it's mostly only plod that wear long sleeved hi viz round these parts. Them and me, that is.

 

[fossyant]

Just to confirm - the Mars 4.0 is very bright, and compact - 1w rear LED - DON'T LOOK AT IT...... you'll have a big spot infront of your eyes for ages....

 

[Downward]

Cost ?

 

[downfader]

On a similar note, I paused on the way home in the dark yesterday to put my gloves on. I have a long-sleeved hi-viz jacket, of exactly the same pattern that the police wear. I stopped just inside a 30 mph limit that most drivers cheerfully ignore.

Funny how people steaming round the corner put their brakes on and drove steadily through the village...

I think that jacket it makes some drivers thing what they're about when I'm riding too. Of course the regulars on my route to work know it's "only" me. But they know me (at least by sight - no-one else cycles my route!) and are mostly pretty considerate anyway.

Bin men and road workers wear yellow vests, but it's mostly only plod that wear long sleeved hi viz round these parts. Them and me, that is.

I was one of the first people in southampton I think to wear the altura nightvision jacket. I never saw anyone else wearing one for a good year or two after - most stuck with the normal vests and they were orange with reflectives.

Two things made me think that maybe my jacket had effected peoples behaviour when riding. First was I was at some lights waiting and a police cyclist appeared at the other side of the road at his lights. He gave me a little wave and smile and I thought "do I know you?" His face then changed as if to say "..hold on? You're not one of us!"

Second thing was when I pulled up behind this boy racer as I was waiting to take a right turn. His music was thumping so loud I could feel my chest vibrate as I approached. When I pulled up I leant on the bars to get me breath back, saw this kid clock me in his mirror and suddenly turn his music right down!

 

[Bodhbh]

£19.99 from SJSCycles, which probably means it's cheaper at Wiggle or wherever. Just ordered one for the new commuter before this thread so, looking like made a decent choice .

Started out this winter with just plain old Catseye seat tube rear light to illuminate the behind. Now have that (on discomode), plus a B&M racklight and reflector, reflective tape on the frame, and a softshell jacket with big reflective panels on the back and reflectors on the panniers. Pretty sure mean amount of space I get is higher on the commute.

Loaded up to go back for Chrimbo like a sherpa (proper expadition cyclist!) with 4 panniers of clothes and presents and misc junk with stuff bungeed all over, seemed to get an awful lot of space this morning although they roads were a bit quieter so maybe drivers feeling magnanomous.

 

[Downward]

Seems a bargain - May have to get one in the new year cause January is the worst month ever out there on the roads.