What is wrong with some people?

[ShipHill]

The fact that there are no such messages must surely prove that they are all seen.

Sorry Adrian I don't think I explained my point very well.

What I meant was how many people on CC (or any other forum) don't see an unlit cyclist at night... because they're unlit and it's pitch black in a road with poor or even no street lights like a lane or whatever... and then log on here and write a post like "Drove/walked/cycled home just and didn't see any unlit cyclists." It won't happen because they wouldn't have seen them, and wouldn't even know they not seen them.
Hope that makes sense.
Cheers

 

[4F]

I didn't see an unlit cyclist last night

 

[ShipHill]

I didn't see an unlit cyclist last night

How did you know you didn't see them?

 

[4F]

How did you know you didn't see them?

How do you know there were any ?

 

[Origamist]

Just think of the number of unlit cyclists that we DON'T see at night, and therefore don't write on message boards about.

Just think of the number of cyclists that we don't see at night that we also don't collide with.

 

[ShipHill]

How do you know there were any ?

Aha! That's kind of my point though really. How would any road user know there was or wasn't? Some get spotted at the last second and some get noticed very early. I saw a kid on a bike the other week when he was about 50 yards away turning off into a side street about 8pm. No lights on but I saw him. Lots of streetlights on that road and there was the glare from a nearby late night shop too and I'm "bike aware" if you know what I mean.

Then there are those that no-one sees so no-one writes a post about them on CC or wherever. I'm making an assumption here that there may be an unknown number of cyclists that do not get spotted at all for whatever reason, but I would imagine there are some.

 

[ShipHill]

Just think of the number of cyclists that we don't see at night that we also don't collide with.

That is true. It's an interesting discussion. Are the "totally unseen ones" just very skilled at night time riding? It could be.

 

[Fasta Asloth]

I had one a while back riding along the main A road frm Windsor to London, dark clothing, no lights, 60 mph limit...I was very lucky to see the whites of his eyes as I joined the carriageway!!!!

Sorry, but what a f****** muppet!

Shiny black bike too?

 

[mustang1]

Agrees.

The other day o was cycling at night with street lights and saw a cyclist in front. Another cyclist with no lights I thought. As I got closer I saw he did have a light but the damn thing was so feint may as well have not had it.

 

[Crankarm]

Just think of the number of cyclists that we don't see at night that we also don't collide with.

Ghost cyclists ......... ghosts of our fallen brethren riding around in perpetuity.

 

[Origamist]

That is true. It's an interesting discussion. Are the "totally unseen ones" just very skilled at night time riding? It could be.

Or perhaps people are not invisible, just harder to make out and therefore we are able to identify the overwhelming majority of cyclists and pedestrians we see on the roads?

 

[vickster]

Shiny black bike too?

No idea

The ninjas on small roads are daft enough but those on a 60mph dual carriageway are just suicidal...think of the impact it would have on the poor motorist who collided with him

 

[gavgav]

Cycling without lights sharpens your awareness of other road users, you know people won't see you, your safety is on your own shoulders, it keeps you on your toes, provides a bit of a thrill I suppose. Could be safer than cycling with lights on and believing everyone is seeing you.

No!

 

[Jefferson Meriwether]

Ghost cyclists ......... ghosts of our fallen brethren riding around in perpetuity.

If I end up being a Ghost that's the kind of Ghost I want to be; cycling the highways and byways in perpetuity.

 

[Cyclopathic]

The only way to make oneself completely safe when riding at night, wearing black with no lights on is to have several beers before setting out. I have a suspicion that hi vis makes one an easier target.