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Original poster

inadequately lit cyclists?

232 replies

MipMipMip · 26/11/2016 19:08

Seriously, I'm getting fed up of people dressed in dark clothes. If they do have lights it's usually just a small one that can be easily hidden. The other day there was a woman dressed in black, no rear light and a dark child's seat (fortunately no child). Would it be so hard to wear a reflective top and put some reflectors on the back of the child seat?

If you get hit by a car even if you're badly dressed it will be the driver's fault. They should of course be looking out but you can make it easier for them. And you'll be the one in pain - surely people want to avoid that?!

Don't even get me started on the inability to use bells when someone is in front of cyclists on a path - pedestrians aren't psychic!

OP posts:
KanyesVest · 29/11/2016 15:26

Just for balance, while out for a run last night (wearing a hi vis top and hi vis leg warmers with reflective stripes) I encountered a learner driver without any lights on. I flagged her down and shouted at to her to turn them on. All road users can be numpties.

allegretto · 29/11/2016 15:29

A bell is much safer than asking someone to move.

Socksey · 29/11/2016 15:39

Flashing lights are not good... they make you next to invisible... so only slightly better than no lights at all... in traffic they disappear completely.... (especially when camouflaged under a big long coat.)
Certainly years ago the Highway Code indicated that solid lights should be fixed to the bicycle (front and back) and should be angled slightly down, so as not to completely dazzle oncoming traffic (which may then hit you as they've just been blinded).

Socksey · 29/11/2016 15:41

and WRT bells on bike (legal requirement... certainly in the past) but also remember that some road users are deaf and don't deserve the torrent of abuse I got from and idiot on his bike on a footpath who thought I should leap out of his way on not hearing the bell he rang.

ivykaty44 · 29/11/2016 19:20

Bikes only have to be sold with a bell, it's not a legal requirement to cycle with a bell on a bike. There are very particular rules, a a bike without brakes ( such as a track bike) doesn't need to be sold with a bell

pseudonymity · 29/11/2016 19:26

Re. my previous comment on bells mostly not being present on bikes in this country. Because of the nature of the roads here people do tend to use road bikes or road styled commuters, which do not come with bells as standard. Amsterdam style bikes often have bells but they aren't very suitable for the road cycling here. I actually did have a bell on my bike but took it off as people were so rude when I used it.

Separate issue but I've also been told that I should die by a motorist for no reason other than she felt in a position of power in her car and I happened to be next to her. No one would argue that cyclists shouldn't be visible but there must be some acknowledgment of, and responsibility taken for, the hatred towards people on bikes which is palpable every time you go out on a bike. It's bound to make people defensive. What is it really about? It's quite particular to this country and perhaps the US.

The fact is that you are very vulnerable on a bike. Somewhat aggressive riding is actually the safest way to ride unfortunately, you are more likely to be noticed. Bike training encourages this, it's called 'holding your position'. Sadly, women die disproportionately on our roads as they don't cycle aggressively enough.

I'm always thinking of giving up cycling because of other people.

TaraCarter · 29/11/2016 20:18

he's got a third small steady light on the handlebars turned towards his own jacket

^Most useful post of this thread!

It's the teenagers on the way back from Scouts, etc that confuse me- how come their parents haven't insisted on lights?!

Engineer, after your post about the hedged off cycle path, I wonder if its the one I know.

The one I'm thinking of is unusable unless you have a mountain bike fit for the Andes, because it is so rooOoOoooOOooOoooUggggg-ughhhh. It's like going over continuous speed bumps, and I don't think my organs can stand the jolting. It's also shared use with people on foot, but without a dividing line or any street lights (despite the high hedge that makes it as dark as a coal mine). This means that my array of personal lighting is the only thing I have to rely on to stop me running into a cute dog ambling along sans lead.

I only use it on my bike if I've got the time to simply wheel the damned thing, and as a pedestrian I avoid it because it feels too much like I'm the disposable character checking the cellar in a horror film.

TaraCarter · 29/11/2016 20:38

Oh, and at the end where it rejoins the road, there's usually a car parked across the dropped kerb. Hmm

supermoon100 · 29/11/2016 21:26

Also about 80% of cycling accidents and also most fatalities happen in day light. So perhaps all these terrible underlit cyclists really aren't such a massive menace after all.

IAmNotAMindReader · 30/11/2016 19:29

...And has absolutely bog all to do with cyclists and everything to do with senior citizens who have probably should have given up driving a while ago. (As it's from USA I am going to assume an automatic was involved. Surprisingly easy to do something stupid in an automatic if you have a moment of confusion)

ivykaty44 · 30/11/2016 20:14

Oh so it was driver at fault imnotamindreader and any amount of high viz and bright lights wouldn't have prevented this happening?

RichardBucket · 30/11/2016 20:51

IAmNotAMindReader Stop VICTIM BLAMING! Cyclists are never at fault ever and drivers should go along at 2mph just in case one chooses to cycle under the wheels. P.S. That would still be the driver's fault for not being stationary.

Victim blamer.

supermoon100 · 30/11/2016 20:54

Imnotamindreader, you've finally convinced me. Cars good - bikes bad. Yep finally got the message. Will be off to buy myself a reinforced 4 wheel drive pronto and join middle England clutching wildly to the driving wheels of their vehicles. No, I will cycle no more. All cyclists are octegenarian slaying demons!

lapsedorienteerer · 30/11/2016 20:59

Yanbu - my biggest gripe is with cyclist at dawn and dusk. To be more precise late afternoon on a cloudy day.....I'm really not sure they realise just how invisible they can be if wearing all black....why do you have to wear all black?.....

IAmNotAMindReader · 30/11/2016 21:04

RichardBucket oh no you are correct I apologise profusely to anyone who was offended by my links. Obviously they were victim blaming the cyclist involved and the real culprit was a motorist.

lapsedorienteerer Alas you too have also fallen into the classic victim blaming trap. A cyclist has only rights, not responsibilities whilst in charge of a potentially deadly piece of machinery (despite what the Highway Code may say).

anotherbloodycyclist · 30/11/2016 21:04

Look no brain! I could post a whole bunch of links to motorists mowing down cyclists but whats the point? It's irrelevant. These threads always turn into a bun fight, wild generalisations, vitriol and total hate. Some cyclists are twats, as are some motorists.

NerrSnerr · 30/11/2016 21:06

Maybe supermoon some car drivers are bad and some cyclists are bad. This 'middle england' shit just makes you sound like an idiot. Some people need cars due to type of work (harpist in London, community nurse, job or house in arse end of nowhere) and some choose to drive. Others like you don't and that's fine.

If we all shared the roads better, all had decent working and not too bright lights (cars and bikes) and were more considerate it would be much safer.

albertcampionscat · 30/11/2016 21:06

Haven't read full thread and (full disclosure) am non-driving cyclist who thinks on balance helmets increase rather than decrease risk.

I could not agree more with the OP. Garish jacket and lit up like a Christmas tree has to be the way to go.

lapsedorienteerer · 30/11/2016 21:07

IAmNotAMindReader - I'm not blaming anyone, just stating as I see it (I drive a car...and I cycle....in Hi Vis) Biscuit

IAmNotAMindReader · 30/11/2016 21:15

No brain your fucking self anotherbloodycyclist.

It is not irrelevant. Each one of those links was posted in response to claims it is victim blaming to expect cyclists to operate within the law.
Why should I feel I am taking my life in my hands every time I cross the road? Because it is dangerous and I should be aware of my surroundings. I don't want my children run down so I teach them road safety and to wear reflective gear, high vis and follow the Highway code.
Why when it is applied to cars and pedestrians it's fine but when we come to cyclist people scream victim blaming and post irrelevant shite about addled pensioners careering through shops?

IAmNotAMindReader · 30/11/2016 21:17

lapsed I know you weren't and I agree with you but some posters seem to think requesting cyclists wear it is.

ivykaty44 · 30/11/2016 21:30

imnotamindreader cyclist almost as likely to hurt you find me 1.2 million deaths caused by cyclists and then it would be equal for just 1 year of motorist causing deaths, you wont come any where close to 1000 deaths by cyclist

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