Use of lights or High Viz

[Linford]

I overtook an e-bike user I work with this morning @7:30 (on the cusp of sunrise here)

He was wearing a high viz tabbard and hat cover, but didn't have the lights on his bike turned on. When he got to work, I had a word and asked him if there was a problem with his lights, and he answered 'if the grass looks green, then I don't need the lights on when I'm wearing high viz'

He is a bit cantankerous (sp), so I didn't push it, but am a bit concerned that he is being a bit willful about this point given he is riding on some very busy roads - my concern is that he will tail a vehicle past a car waiting on a junction, and they will pull across in front of him as they are a bit dazzled by the traffic he is in, and his high viz is not illuminated by their headlights, and his space just appears as a gap in the traffic to them.

Am I being a bit overtly cautious in warning him as he got very defensive when I mentioned it ?

 

[sabian92]

People generally don't like being criticized - maybe that's why.

That being said, you've made a point so any further action he does (or doesn't) do is down to him. The onus is on him, not you.

 

[byegad]

I'm sure you were diplomacy itself Linford.

However some people won't be told. I regard it as Evolution at work. The stupid die, hopefully before breeding.

 

[Linford]

I'm sure you were diplomacy itself Linford.

However some people won't be told. I regard it as Evolution at work. The stupid die, hopefully before breeding.

He is a clever bloke (code monkey), but a bit single minded. I didn't push it with him, but if he got hit off by a smidsy, he would have little come back. I just don't see the point in exposing yourself to the actions of others when they aren't neccessarily able to see you because of the other traffic in the mix.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I usually use the phrase - the use of lights in the daylight is to be seen, not to see with. It may be he just thinks the rest of the world can see him with their super-human eye sight because he can see them.
Car drivers could often do with that reminder as well - the number is dark colour cars who think they are visible at dusk is appalling.

Personally I use lights all the time in the UK - if it is dull and overcast they help you be seen and if it is bright and sunny (and there are trees or hedges around), well you vanish on country lanes in those shaded areas because people's eyes can't adapt that quickly, so lights come into their own in those shaded areas. Having been hit once as a cyclist, I have no intention of being hit again (offically not my fault, but it still hurt!).

But you will get plenty of others who say they are a waste of time, however, I am not one of them - at least not in the UK. Abroad we did not bother with them anywhere near as much.

The other one that gets me, is the number of cyclists who wear hi-viz jackets and them promptly put a rucksack on and think they are visible from behind - erm no, you have just covered most of it up. Anyhow, I suspect there is little you can do about it other than try to photo him and show him what others are seeing.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I say belt and braces.

 

[Melonfish]

if it darkens due to cloud cover i put my lights on. dusk/dawn they'll be on, light fog, hell even in light rain.
i think this chap is under the impression that car drivers aren't blind/texting/eating/changing cd's/looking elsewhere on the road or just plan stupid.
obviously not all drivers are like this but there are a worryingly large amount that are.

 

[Drago]

Don't worry - you'll soon get to repeat this tale at his inquest.

 

[gaz]

Who needs hi-viz when your lights are like this -

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Who needs hi-viz when your lights are like this -

but the problem here is the reverse. no lights and only hi-vis.

 

[Norm]

I would rather be the first to turn lights on and the last to turn them off, but I use hi viz too.

I don't think I'd ever tell anyone else what to wear, though, unless they asked for advice.

 

[growingvegetables]

..........
Am I being a bit overtly cautious in warning him as he got very defensive when I mentioned it ?

Ah, Linford - a first! You made me smile!

Sorry, but your pen picture ..... ummmm ...... "reinforced my perceptions"? Please do tell me where you work - I'm a little anxious to avoid your expressions of concern

 

[cyberknight]

You supposed to use lights after sunset till at least sunrise, assuming he started out earlier he was was riding before sunrise unlit so you can effectively tell him he was breaking the law..
https://www.gov.uk/rules-for-cyclists-59-to-82/overview-59-to-71
The police can also issue a £30 fixed penalty if they caught him ( and could be arsed i know their busy) so you can ask him if he wants to risk a fine ?

 

[Crankarm]

Could this be an attempt at trolling?

 

[sidevalve]

Actually you must use lights in conditions of poor visibility [and that includes daylight if it's foggy etc]. Hi vis is up to you. I tend to agree with byegad, it's just getting rid of the stupid gene, but there will always the "it's always someone else's fault" brigade.