So, what should I have done?

[DJ]

Coming in to work tonight, I see cyclist ahead (no lights all in black) I catch up and it turns out to be young girl, about 17 on a shopper, she then peels off to the right before I have a chance to overtake, I almost feel guilty for not shouting something like 'get some lights' if this is the way she is getting herself to work/college then, I am truely scared she will simply end up as a statistic!
As what I would consider a well informed cyclist (thanks to CC) I honestly feel guilty for not having said something!
I just hate the thought of people landing up dead through ignorance.
No one sends people to war anymore without a gun so why on earth do people do this? It is starting to really upset me!

 

[Radius]

I honestly don't think it's ignorance that makes people not use lights...
Ignorance implies a lack of knowledge, and I think it is acceptable to assume that people know that lights light you up in the dark. I mean, how many people have you met that say 'Oh, really?' when you say you can't see them in the dark cos they've got no lights?
I dunno, it's not nice to think people could get hurt, but if people have their reasons / are too lazy, one person telling them might not help. So in answer to your question, I don't think you should feel guilty about not saying anything.

 

[fossyant]

The ninja's seem to fair better than lit cyclists. I leave them be, as you are asking for a bunch of verbal abuse given the respect folk have for each other these days !!!

Might be worth a polite word...like 'your lights are a bit rubbish, I can't see you, or I'd get lights before you get run over.....

I got shouted too by a motorist the other week -"Have you got enough lights"......he'd gone before I had time to respond....

 

[theboytaylor]

It's a tough thing to get right though. Yesterday I saw someone undertake a bus that was clearly indicating to turn left, coming close to being pinched by the kerb. I too felt like saying something (something friendly, not "you tw@t!") but I was also afraid of coming across as some kind of know-it-all and I'd likely get a mouthful of abuse.....damned if you do, damned if you don't I think

 

[snapper_37]

It's a hard one. I feel like I'm a nosey tw@t by sticking my beak in. The best method I have found is to draft near to the back wheel and make some kind of coughing (or panting in my case up hills) noise. My front light also seems to attract some attention.

Most of the time they turn their heads and I have said, 'Oh sorry, I didn't see you there love, perhaps your back light is playing up a bit'.

Haven't been told to fork off yet, but there's always a first.

 

[DJ]

Thanks for the reply's I think for me on this instance i should have said something, I agree with you Radius I shouldn't beat myself up (bangs his head on the wall), and I agree with Fossyant, the chances of verbal abuse are high, however a friendly and quiet one liner like 'I can't see you' might be worth a try.
I am one of only two cyclists at work the other one has been doing the same 2 mile commute for 18 years and can't be arsed to get light's so goes on the pavement instead! The rest who drive in, are very pleased I wear loads of lights and hate the Ninjas as much as we all do.
So education I still believe is the answer, are there any stat's around bike accidents on which percentage of them do/don't have lights?
When I use the word 'education'I am not implying they are ignorant, but just lazy or stupid. The 'it wont happen too me ' factor plays a large part too.

 

[DJ]

It's a hard one. I feel like I'm a nosey tw@t by sticking my beak in. The best method I have found is to draft near to the back wheel and make some kind of coughing (or panting in my case up hills) noise. My front light also seems to attract some attention.

Most of the time they turn their heads and I have said, 'Oh sorry, I didn't see you there love, perhaps your back light is playing up a bit'.

Haven't been told to fork off yet, but there's always a first.

MMM I like that one I might try it!

 

[snapper_37]

DJ - don't blame me if it doesn't work (disclaimer ahem). I can't say I have seen the same person again WITH lights either.

 

[DJ]

DJ - don't blame me if it doesn't work (disclaimer ahem). I can't say I have seen the same person again WITH lights either.

No I wont snapper, I think making an effort is the important thing, maybe she will go away and think about it. Or maybe she will just think I'm some dirty old bugger trying to chat her up and take the bus instead!
That's not the desired effect either.

 

[snapper_37]

she will just think I'm some dirty old bugger trying to chat her up and take the bus instead!
That's not the desired effect either.

Wear a buff - it hides a multitude of ages B) !

I'm sure she won't think that. If she does, well, let her get on with it

 

[fossyant]

Snapper you are female...some oyung bloke or lass won't be too happy with a snorting, (old) bloke of nearly 40, tarmac ripper coming up and saying their light's are rubbish...just as they have been retina burned....

You might just get away with it.....

 

[magnatom]

Me, being me.... I will mostly say something. At worst you get abuse (I'm used to that )

I do try and keep it light though (pardon the pun). Just the other day I passed a young woman riding a sit up and beg on a side road, early in the morning when it was still dark. No lights, dark clothes. As I passed, I said 'might be a good idea to get some lights'. Her reply was, 'I don't ride on the roads'. Obviously she thought he bike must be floating above the ground then. I just laughed.

 

[alp1950]

Why not carry some cheap LEDs to give out for free to pretty female ninjas?

 

[tdr1nka]

Something along the lines of, 'Do you know you're not very visible? I couldn't see you until I was right behind you.'might work better than anything that might be misinterpreted as a telling off or lecture.

 

[DJ]

Why not carry some cheap LEDs to give out for free to pretty female ninjas?

I could hide in the bushes and jump out shouting surprise!