Orang Utan
Maybe I like the misery
Yeah, the strips make all the difference
Cycle lights: should they flash or not?
- Thread starter Orang Utan
- Start date
Yeah, the strips make all the difference
Orang Utan
Maybe I like the misery
My son has both, but then he has a paranoid mother who makes sure he has them
No, he has a GOOD mother
Orang Utan
Maybe I like the misery
. as a stealth cyclist (i wear dark clothes and have tiny lights), i find it encouraging that drivers see me and are scared for me. it means a wide berth and believe me, i see you before you see me.
that makes no sense to me at all
newbie
undisambiguated
well if you've got a messenger bag you must be pretty cool, but for drivers to properly recognise your true status, and leave a respectful amount of roadspace what you need is cleverly positioned spotlights to make sure we can all clearly see that you have neither gears nor a back brake. Only then will we know you're truly worthy...
chegrimandi
associated with adultery
I wear a high vis jacket and that's it at the minute - not got any lights at present as I can't find them...
gentlegreen
I hummus, therefore I am ...
In my case I very soon correct any such misconceptions
I reckon part of my success is that my lights are so distinctive either people are instinctively wary of me, or remember me from the last encounter.
mauvais
on reddit or something
You're working on the principle that if you are seen, people will think you're some kind of screwloose bikeninja and give you a wide berth. Unfortunately the downside of this is in the now more likely event you're not seen, you die.i guess i'm trying to have my cake and eat it right now, making myself look a wild kid on a bike to get given more space on the road (essentially exploiting stereotypes for my own ends) then expecting to get taken seriously with the grown ups.
newbie
undisambiguated
do you, really? I watched someone the other day, cycling along slowly and close to the gutter. In an instant he had a thought, gok what, and took off across the road at high speed, straight across traffic with never a glance behind, total expectation that the oncoming lanes would slow for him, which they did, then up onto the pavement and away. Late teens maybe early twenties, male of course, he owned the road. Are you still alive, do you really ride like that? As a cardriver I take little notice of the like of me, plodding along carefully and safely, and watch his sort like a hawk and give him a lot more room, simply because he has no clue at all that there's anybody other than him in the equation.
100% masahiko
i is a professor and is magical like totoro
To the OP's question.
My lights are set on flashing, the contrast of light/dark tricks the brain into thinking that it's brighter than it really is.
And it's most cost efficent.
My lights are set on flashing, the contrast of light/dark tricks the brain into thinking that it's brighter than it really is.
And it's most cost efficent.
mauvais
on reddit or something
I'm 24 and I ride like a maniac, overtaking cars, using all lanes and sometimes inventing my own... but I look what I'm doing, signal before doing it, ride defensively, let drivers pass when appropriate, and most importantly always wear high vis and run about £500 of lights.
Touch wood, I haven't had any near misses or grief for ages, and I can't understand why anyone would think being more dangerous would make them safer, study or not.
Touch wood, I haven't had any near misses or grief for ages, and I can't understand why anyone would think being more dangerous would make them safer, study or not.
Orang Utan
Maybe I like the misery
What do people mean by 'ride defensively'?
Do some people 'ride offensively'?
Do some people 'ride offensively'?
100% masahiko
i is a professor and is magical like totoro
I'm 11 years older than you and believe this is the best way to ride.
I got a geared up racer, light frame and if I crash the fuckin' thing I'm dead. So the only alternative is to take up the road, be seen and make sure I'm in front of the car.
The only vehicle I avoid are lorries and big trucks. Seen too many squashed like that and I want to die with nice formed face.
100% masahiko
i is a professor and is magical like totoro
Riding offensively - aggressive, taking risks, not letting cars through/past. Thinking that you're indestructible.
Orang Utan
Maybe I like the misery
But too defensive is bad too - riding in the gutter, having to lurch out suddenly from behind cars, etc
100% masahiko
i is a professor and is magical like totoro
Agree - those are the worse. It's like riding without confidence and it's dangerous to car drivers and other cyclists. Think it's all about striking the right balance.
newbie
undisambiguated
lurching out is not defensive: slowing or stopping and waiting for the traffic to pass is truly defensive.
Filling the road as you sweep past a bus is only sensible if your speed is in the same ballpark as the cars: if you are so, so much slower that they're caused to brake heavily there _will_ be accidents.
mauvais
on reddit or something
That's not what it means, or at least what I mean by it. For instance when there's not enough room in front for someone to overtake, riding in the middle of the lane. When coming to stop at a set of lights, taking up a car's width so you're not forgotten on someone's left. When going round a blind corner riding out in the road to deter overtaking. To avoid it becoming plain offensive though, it has to work both ways, so pulling in/slowing down to let people pass when safe, getting out of the way when clear, signalling when you do this stuff etc
Orang Utan
Maybe I like the misery
Ah right, I do that too - it's something you just end up doing from experience though usually, isn't it? I always assume the people who don't do that are just new riders.
kabbes
First intersubjective, then internalised
As a driver who doesn't cycle (and therefore doesn't really have a feel for what cyclists are going to do) and who REALLY doesn't want to hurt anyone, I would just plead with you PLEASE to put lots of lights on you. Please, there is too much risk that I'm not going to see one little weedy light -- all it takes is for it to be obscured or for some kind of glare elsewhere on the road to distract me from it. I drive slowly and carefully and I've not hit anyone yet, but I've no desire to either and I see too many people who are simply not illuminated sufficiently. Wear a fluorescent jacket, put a light on your head, put some on your sleeves, make yourself visible. Not because you have to or even because it's your responsibility but simply because it's a good idea.
Orang Utan
Maybe I like the misery
A light on the head? OK - will do!
kabbes
First intersubjective, then internalised
Orang Utan
Maybe I like the misery
Aye, a light on the head.
Better than a tap on the head, eh?
Oh, I thought you meant on the back of the head. Not seen anyone with a miner's lamp
kabbes
First intersubjective, then internalised
That too. Wear fairy lights all over you n'all.
Boycey
juvenile rave slut
well if you've got a messenger bag you must be pretty cool, but for drivers to properly recognise your true status, and leave a respectful amount of roadspace what you need is cleverly positioned spotlights to make sure we can all clearly see that you have neither gears nor a back brake. Only then will we know you're truly worthy...
epic
100% masahiko
i is a professor and is magical like totoro
I wear a green illuminated jacket and use a cat's eye front light.
There's no way I'm gonna wear a light on my head!
100% masahiko
i is a professor and is magical like totoro
Yeah I've seen a few but they never seem to have a lights on the actual bike though.
Maggot
The Cake of Liberty
I'm not gonna tell you how stupid and dangerous cycling without lights is, cos you know that already.
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
My understanding of riding "defensively" is not the same as yours. When I learned to ride a motorbike I was taught to ride defensively. In fact it was like mantra almost like the "mirrors/signal/indicate" they repeat when you lern to drive a car.
The idea is that you read the road ahead and plan ahead for potential hazards - basically you assume the worst from the other drivers and plan ahead and accordingly. Your example of riding in the gutter would not be riding defensively at all - but quite the opposite. A defensive rider would make sure that s/he occupies a safer road position.
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