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Visual Awareness of Cyclists

J

James Vaughan

Chimp
Dec 2, 2016
2
0
binary visions

binary visions

The voice of reason
Jun 13, 2002
22,149
1,250
NC
Your link doesn't work.

Also, I don't mind this, but can we keep it to one thread not 6 or 7 please?
 
RoboDonkey713

RoboDonkey713

Monkey
Feb 24, 2011
678
462
Maine
jonKranked said:
you are operating on a faulty premise. cyclists in general are plenty visible. the average motorist is just a distracted asshole.
Click to expand...
This.
I use a Bontrager Flair R rear flashing tail light when I am riding on any type of road. It is visible up to 1.5 miles away. If you can't see that flashing, you should be driving.
 
slyfink

slyfink

Turbo Monkey
Sep 16, 2008
9,750
5,550
Ottawa, Canada
Last week, as I was riding home at dusk, I was using my ITUO Wiz 20 (1500 lumens) in flash mode. I had some douche rider follow me for about 10 blocks trying to tell me that they blinded on-coming cyclists on bike paths (we were on a one way street). I informed him that I don't ride on bike paths, that I tilt the light down, and the reason I use the light is to make drivers aware of my presence, not to see where I'm going. I also have my kid with me on the bike. I didn't ask him if he stares into the lights of on-coming cars, but the asshole just wouldn't drop it. for 10 blocks. no wonder cyclists get a bad rap.

oh yeah, linky no worky.
 
eric strt6

eric strt6

Resident Curmudgeon
Sep 8, 2001
24,204
14,848
directly above the center of the earth
slyfink said:
Last week, as I was riding home at dusk, I was using my ITUO Wiz 20 (1500 lumens) in flash mode. I had some douche rider follow me for about 10 blocks trying to tell me that they blinded on-coming cyclists on bike paths (we were on a one way street). I informed him that I don't ride on bike paths, that I tilt the light down, and the reason I use the light is to make drivers aware of my presence, not to see where I'm going. I also have my kid with me on the bike. I didn't ask him if he stares into the lights of on-coming cars, but the asshole just wouldn't drop it. for 10 blocks. no wonder cyclists get a bad rap.

oh yeah, linky no worky.
Click to expand...
hell he would have hated me at full power. 1200 lumens on the helmet, 2400 lumens on the bar and a 300 lumen white stobe.:rofl:
 
Tom Ritchey's Moustache

Tom Ritchey's Moustache

Monkey
Sep 11, 2015
332
118
jonKranked said:
you are operating on a faulty premise. cyclists in general are plenty visible. the average motorist is just a distracted asshole.
Click to expand...
RoboDonkey713 said:
This.
I use a Bontrager Flair R rear flashing tail light when I am riding on any type of road. It is visible up to 1.5 miles away. If you can't see that flashing, you should be driving.
Click to expand...
I agree that the average motorist is a distracted asshole, but cyclists often don't do much to help make themselves more visible to motorists. I pass road riders on my morning and evening commutes quite often, and while I do see them (because I'm not a distracted asshole), I'm often astonished at how much they blend into the landscape, especially in spots where trees throw shadows over the road. It's also eye-opening to occasionally come upon 2 cyclists where one is in darker gear, and the other in lighter gear. The difference in visibility between the two is significant. But then look at how much cycling clothing and helmets are black. I know hi-vis looks pretty fuckin' dorky, but it sure is a lot easier to see out on the road.

RoboDonkey has the right idea. I have that same tail light, and have been pleasantly surprised at how effective it is not only at night or in low light, but also during the day. Most of the cars that pass me do so a lot slower and they move over a lot more.
 
jonKranked

jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
88,142
26,481
media blackout
slyfink said:
Last week, as I was riding home at dusk, I was using my ITUO Wiz 20 (1500 lumens) in flash mode. I had some douche rider follow me for about 10 blocks trying to tell me that they blinded on-coming cyclists on bike paths (we were on a one way street). I informed him that I don't ride on bike paths, that I tilt the light down, and the reason I use the light is to make drivers aware of my presence, not to see where I'm going. I also have my kid with me on the bike. I didn't ask him if he stares into the lights of on-coming cars, but the asshole just wouldn't drop it. for 10 blocks. no wonder cyclists get a bad rap.

oh yeah, linky no worky.
Click to expand...
you should have just shined the light right in his eyes.
 
jonKranked

jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
88,142
26,481
media blackout
Tom Ritchey's Moustache said:
I agree that the average motorist is a distracted asshole, but cyclists often don't do much to help make themselves more visible to motorists. I pass road riders on my morning and evening commutes quite often, and while I do see them (because I'm not a distracted asshole), I'm often astonished at how much they blend into the landscape, especially in spots where trees throw shadows over the road. It's also eye-opening to occasionally come upon 2 cyclists where one is in darker gear, and the other in lighter gear. The difference in visibility between the two is significant. But then look at how much cycling clothing and helmets are black. I know hi-vis looks pretty fuckin' dorky, but it sure is a lot easier to see out on the road.

RoboDonkey has the right idea. I have that same tail light, and have been pleasantly surprised at how effective it is not only at night or in low light, but also during the day. Most of the cars that pass me do so a lot slower and they move over a lot more.
Click to expand...
yea but they gotta rock their team replica kits so they can be in 758th place on Strava
 
slyfink

slyfink

Turbo Monkey
Sep 16, 2008
9,750
5,550
Ottawa, Canada
jonKranked said:
you should have just shined the light right in his eyes.
Click to expand...
I would have, but he was freakin' following me, hovering behind me (in what would be a car's blindspot). This was in a bike lane, wide enough for one biker, on a one way street, in the middle of rush hour... I'm sure the other drivers were really impressed with him!
 
slyfink

slyfink

Turbo Monkey
Sep 16, 2008
9,750
5,550
Ottawa, Canada
Tom Ritchey's Moustache said:
I agree that the average motorist is a distracted asshole, but cyclists often don't do much to help make themselves more visible to motorists. I pass road riders on my morning and evening commutes quite often, and while I do see them (because I'm not a distracted asshole), I'm often astonished at how much they blend into the landscape, especially in spots where trees throw shadows over the road. It's also eye-opening to occasionally come upon 2 cyclists where one is in darker gear, and the other in lighter gear. The difference in visibility between the two is significant. But then look at how much cycling clothing and helmets are black. I know hi-vis looks pretty fuckin' dorky, but it sure is a lot easier to see out on the road.

RoboDonkey has the right idea. I have that same tail light, and have been pleasantly surprised at how effective it is not only at night or in low light, but also during the day. Most of the cars that pass me do so a lot slower and they move over a lot more.
Click to expand...
It's not just cyclists though, pedestrians too. Hell, even cars that don't turn their lights on are idiots. Yesterday as I was riding home (it's dark and raining at this point in time), I was startled by a runner that stepped into the intersection as I was approaching. He was wearing all black, with no lights, and not a single reflector on him. It was like an apparition! I think this time of year is the toughest for that though, especially when it rains.
 
canadmos

canadmos

Cake Tease
May 29, 2011
21,757
21,226
Canaderp
slyfink said:
I would have, but he was freakin' following me, hovering behind me (in what would be a car's blindspot). This was in a bike lane, wide enough for one biker, on a one way street, in the middle of rush hour... I'm sure the other drivers were really impressed with him!
Click to expand...
Make sure your kid has a bunch of clementines. He'll get the hint when they start flying his way. :D
 
jonKranked

jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
88,142
26,481
media blackout
slyfink said:
I would have, but he was freakin' following me, hovering behind me (in what would be a car's blindspot). This was in a bike lane, wide enough for one biker, on a one way street, in the middle of rush hour... I'm sure the other drivers were really impressed with him!
Click to expand...
sounds like he should have been one brake grab away from being within arms reach. just sayin'
 
DirtyMike

DirtyMike

Turbo Fluffer
Aug 8, 2005
14,437
1,017
My own world inside my head
Bright blinky tail lights = drivers more likely to hit you. Already proven stats on this one, drivers see the light but not the runner/cyclist, and when looking at the blinky blinky they turn their heads trying to figure it out, and the vast majority if they turn their heads they subconsciously turn their vehicle to follow.
 
mandown

mandown

Poopdeck Repost
Jun 1, 2004
21,297
8,747
Transylvania 90210
Just saw a dude in Downtown LA riding his bike on the sidewalk with a small dog in a handlebar basket. The dog was barking constantly so pedestrians could hear him coming, like a bike bell. Seems effective.
 
eric strt6

eric strt6

Resident Curmudgeon
Sep 8, 2001
24,204
14,848
directly above the center of the earth
DirtyMike said:
Bright blinky tail lights = drivers more likely to hit you. Already proven stats on this one, drivers see the light but not the runner/cyclist, and when looking at the blinky blinky they turn their heads trying to figure it out, and the vast majority if they turn their heads they subconsciously turn their vehicle to follow.
Click to expand...
That's why you wear a neon yellow jacket with reflective patches and reflective ankle bands vs dark shit and just a blinky light...
 
Toshi

Toshi

butthole powerwashing evangelist
Oct 23, 2001
39,437
8,526
I wear a complete hi-viz yellow clown suit on my winter commute. Reflective swaths on each calf, reflective patches on each pannier, reflective strip along each tire, lit (but not flashing) rear light and reflector, 2200 lumens up front with 800 more due to arrive this evening... but of all this the most important bit is that I'm not sharing the road with cars except for the short bit on the hospital campus. Everything else is on protected paths.
 
Tom Ritchey's Moustache

Tom Ritchey's Moustache

Monkey
Sep 11, 2015
332
118
DirtyMike said:
Bright blinky tail lights = drivers more likely to hit you. Already proven stats on this one, drivers see the light but not the runner/cyclist, and when looking at the blinky blinky they turn their heads trying to figure it out, and the vast majority if they turn their heads they subconsciously turn their vehicle to follow.
Click to expand...
Let's see where you got these proven stats.
 
Tom Ritchey's Moustache

Tom Ritchey's Moustache

Monkey
Sep 11, 2015
332
118
I don't currently have any sources citing the effectiveness of blinking lights, but if they are so likely to cause a collision, then why do we see them so often on motorcycle headlights and on construction barriers? Wouldn't they all be solid if what you're asserting is true?
 
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Toshi

Toshi

butthole powerwashing evangelist
Oct 23, 2001
39,437
8,526
Toshi

Toshi

butthole powerwashing evangelist
Oct 23, 2001
39,437
8,526
Tom Ritchey's Moustache said:
Maybe I was scrolling too quickly, but I had a hard time wading through that. Seems to be mostly about front/white lights. What was your conclusion based on the evidence?
Click to expand...
Hi-viz + light on is the way to go. I don't recall much about flashing or not. Been a few years.
 
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