Cycling at night

[ufkacbln]

What I always say is that you can see a whole lot MORE with night vision, and you don't need to rely on a beam of light that excludes over all vision (imagine it as looking at the world though a tube, you can only see so much as one time).

Of course, this should only be done sensibly and there is a time and place for it, but it never ceases to amaze me how many people never actually try it on a route they know really well.

I use the B&M Ixon IQ because of the filtered beam

It means that the light has no "tube" effect and enables better peripheral vision

 

[freiston]

Mine have a button on the top for easy, fast operation.


@freiston, sorry I deleted your link to your quote by accident....

Oh yeah - and I detest being dazzled by inconsiderate road users, be they cyclists or motorists - this is one reason why I don't like headlamps for cycling - if you look at another road user - you are most likely shining your light directly into their eyes.

Well, I hope I don't do this, I try to keep my lights pointed at the ground, so when I see someone on the path ahead, and after judging who they are*, I will switch my light on with as much warning as possible so they can see my position. I have never heard anyone complain at me yet.
After that, I will revert to what I was doing before.

I've just realised, reading back on this, that what I wrote is not very well worded - when I said 'headlamp', I meant one of those (front) lights that is worn on the head/helmet - hence dazzling someone if you look at them.

[edited for quoting the wrong bit]

 

[Alan O]

Good opportunity to test out my dual iZone 650 Lumens (Per light)...

I did notice a bit of a glow over the southern horizon last night - I wondered what it was

 

[flake99please]

My body clock woke me just before 2am this morning. It was a mild night, so I took the opportunity to set up my front light whilst I took a leisurely ride on my recumbent trike. I have to admit that I'm seriously impressed by the Supernova E3 unit. I was equally impressed by the level of 'fancy dress' pouring out of the nightclubs too.

 

[SuperHans123]

Quick shout out for iZone lights that I don't really see getting much press over the more well known names.
If you buy a holder from Ebay for 99p and dispense with the hideous strap system that comes with them, they are superb.
I was down the Gower last night and Clyne Valley where there is no light at all due to the canopy and they illuminated the whole forest.
Also USB rechargeable with a battery indicator at the rear and multiple modes.
Also perfectly sized to use as a normal torch.
Here is a pic of my two on my new steed:-

 

[Sunny Portrush]

Odd place for a reflector

 

[SuperHans123]

Odd place for a reflector

Was there when got bike. Now (Re)moved

 

[Bluebug]

I see quite a few cyclist with no lights and dressed completely in dark or black clothing most nights riding on the road. It was a few years ago that my daughter knocked a polish man off his bike again dressed in black no lights and rode out in front of her. Fortunately he was unhurt except his bike seat fell off.
I don't know how they have the confidence or stupidity to ride with no lights when dark, the mind boggles.

Unfortunately in my area of London there are loads of these cyclists. Most of them look like students. I know from my younger family members until they learnt to drive they didn't appreciate what drivers can and can't see.

Also a few years ago I nearly knocked one over a young cyclist as he was stationary on the road wearing dark colours with no lights. Luckily his friend had a white top on who looked like he was talking to someone, so I managed to brake in time. I never seen anyone look so scared. The result of this and noticing other cyclists is I realised what works and what doesn't, so use those principles when I'm cycling in the dark.

From driving behind people if you have reflective bits or white on your upper body or even a reflective backpack covering you are easy to see from behind in car headlights. Side ways most lights are useless and the first thing the driver notices is your upper body. This is why having just reflective ankle straps or just e reflective wrist bands doesn't work. Your torso - arms, back and front - need to have reflective stuff on them or appear white and you are easy to see.

 

[mjr]

I think it should be legal for cyclists to disable the cars of motorists who either aren't looking or are driving faster than they could stop within what they can see to be clear (rather than what they can't see to be occupied, which seems to be commonplace now). It's a real shame that even so many cyclists seem to think it's acceptable to tell other cyclists what they should wear and imply it's the cyclist's fault if a motorist mows them down wearing something else. I daren't ask for their solutions to knife crime, assaults or rape..

 

[Lonestar]

Working on that theory. Wearing black or dark colours on a dark night would also make you blend into the back ground.

I actually find pedestrians bad for this as they pop out from nowhere.Sometimes so bloody hard to see till late on.

 

[Racing roadkill]

Here I am on last night's night ride outside Swansea airport. Lovely mild and dry night. View attachment 149586

Good stuff, lots of reflective stuff, and a lid. Keep up the good work. Keep cycling in the dark, or you won't cycle much during the next few months

 

[Racing roadkill]

I actually find pedestrians bad for this as they pop out from nowhere.Sometimes so bloody hard to see till late on.

Other wise known as ninja.

 

[SuperHans123]

Good stuff, lots of reflective stuff, and a lid. Keep up the good work. Keep cycling in the dark, or you won't cycle much during the next few months

I tend to cycle more in the dark months than the light because there is no-one about and I get the paths I usually frequent (And occasional roads; hybrid snert here) to myself.
Just done a 17 mile Clyne Valley circular..totally pitch black through a forest path..awesome!

 

[greekonabike]

At the moment I'm doing the odd 5/6 mile ride in the dark but that's only because it's getting dark at about 4:30 in this neck of the woods. I just make sure I've got some lights on the bike and myself and wear a light coloured jacket before I go out.

 

[Andrew_P]

Love the change in season on CC brings out all the old chestnuts' There is only one way at night..