Was I being an ar*e?

[Mad Doug Biker]

Hello, I was cycling home along Dumbarton Road, going from Glasgow to Dumbarton at about 1am this morning, when I saw a cyclist who was going the other way. What made him stand out as it were, was that he had no lights, so, quite spontaneously, I shouted

'LIGHTS!'

at him, and he seemed to point to the rear of his bike.

If that was you, sorry, but was I correct to say anything??

 

[cloggsy]

The person you shouted at sounds like a candidate for a Darwin Award (IMHO!)

 

[Coco]

I think you were. (right in bringing it to his attention - just noticed the subject differs from your last question ) Perhaps not so easy with front lights, but I've had my rear go off unexpectedly and was delighted when someone pointed it out to me. Might also make the person think again about riding unlit.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

No, you were being a good citizen by letting them know that their lights weren't working. They might not have been aware of the fact. If they were offended by your generous action, then it's their problem, not yours.

 

[Beebo]

No, you were being a good citizen by letting them know that their lights weren't working. They might not have been aware of the fact. If they were offended by your generous action, then it's their problem, not yours.

An old lady shouted LIGHTS at me a couple of months ago. I hadnt noticed that my front light wasnt working so it can be helpful.

 

[fossyant]

Don't think you were wrong, but I tend to leave them to it, especially if they are likely to catch up at traffic lights.

I did should at one lad some years ago - I was out on a training ride, and even I as a cyclist nearly ran him over he was so badly lit (poor street lighting) so shouted 'get some lights' as I passed him. PS there were no traffic lights for a further 10 miles at least !

 

[gavintc]

The person you shouted at sounds like a candidate for a Darwin Award (IMHO!)

Or alternatively shouting at someone at 1am in Glasgow could also make you a candidate for a Darwin Award.

 

[Mawsley]

An old lady shouted LIGHTS at me a couple of months ago. I hadnt noticed that my front light wasnt working so it can be helpful.

I tend to shout "Brains" at car drivers but, rather than proceeding with a higher level of concentration, they pootle off believing themselves lucky to have just escaped a zombie attack.

 

[Sambu]

I once passed a old guy on a bike with really dim lights on a fast road in the dark, i got home grabbed a little cheap light and a role of electrical tape and went and caught him up and asked him if he wanted it? he did, so i taped it to his bars, i would have felt awful reading some guy had been killed cus his battery were flat and id done nowt.

 

[hardwork]

you are correct to shout I commute daily but do drive as well and cringe everytime I see riders without lights ,have had a very close call with a rider just this winter bad weather dark clothes and no lights my heart was in my mouth I was inches from wiping her out

 

[GFamily]

From your description he may have been indicating that he had a rear light.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

From your description he may have been indicating that he had a rear light.

That did occur to me, but I didn't look back (probably because I was avoiding a bomb crater in the road or similar). I wish I had now.

That is why I felt kind of bad about it.

Or alternatively shouting at someone at 1am in Glasgow could also make you a candidate for a Darwin Award.

I was sort of thinking that; I would keep my mouth shut in Glasgow, good chance he might catch you up and stick the heed on ya.

OOHH! get the geographical stereotypes in why don't you, next you will be telling me it was Rab .C. Nesbit!

He seemed to just be another normal cyclist like myself, and didn't look like he would have caused any trouble. You see, the place was deserted, but at that time of the day in Glasgow (well, the area I was in), anyone out cycling tends to be genuine - we are so few and far between (I regularly cycle that route at stupid o' clock you see).

If you are going to be attacked, then it could happen ANYWHERE, not exclusively Glasgow ......even feckin' Naples ya cheeky git!

Besides, seeing what he was riding, I probably could have outpaced him anyway.

 

[biglad]

No, you were being a good citizen by letting them know that their lights weren't working. They might not have been aware of the fact. If they were offended by your generous action, then it's their problem, not yours.

+1

 

[johnr]

A couple of years ago, I was spooked when a guy coming the other way down a dark country lane had no lights at all in the middle of the night. I shouted something friendly and supportive and thought no more...

... until the next night, in more or less the same spot, I meet the same guy, this time with a back light but nothing on the front.

Never saw him again. The ghost rider of E Yorks.

 

[Arch]

From your description he may have been indicating that he had a rear light.

Very probably, but he still needs a front one too.

Not wrong to shout to him I reckon, but I don't know if I'd bother.