dark cycle kit!!

[bianchi1]

Could you paint a scenario for us where, in your opinion, it would not be the fault of the operator of 1 tonne plus of metal and plastic were it to collide with a more vulnerable road user at night?

Jeffery Ryan Clark, 27, died the night of Nov. 16 when the bicycle he was riding on Wall Street hit a car as it turned in to the driveway of a condominium complex. Clark was wearing dark clothing on a dark, rainy night. He was also not wearing a helmet and had no lights on his bicycle.

Cpl. Norm Smith, head of Nanaimo RCMP Traffic Services, said police concluded it was a terrible tragedy, and given the circumstances, there was no way for the driver to have seen Clark.

It might help if you could give us your working definitions of sunset, twilight and dusk to be going on with?

I believe sunset occurs just a few minutes before 16:00 in your neck of the woods at this time of year, so riding around at three-ish with no lights is perfectly legal. At four-ish? Not so much.

As the OP states, its not just the night thats the issue, its the dusky half light you get. Around here that can be anytime from all day if its overcast to just after 3.30 if its clear. then you have to factor in what side of the malverns you are on (Gets darker earlier on worcester side) and what type of roads i will be using, clear main roads, roads through the woods, lanes.., then the weather can change, fog and mist on the hill top roads..so many variables. The answer? Always be as prepared as i can, bright clothing and a set of lights at all times. I dont do it to be legal, i do it to be as safe as i can.

To turn a previous argument around I would rather wear high viz than get hit by a bus.

 

[Licramite]

And thats why you don't want to not be wearing something highly illuminating. - as even if drivers bother to look, - and that can be a rare thing- they often cannot see you because of the other lights or obstructions, just the lights on your bike (if you dain to have them) aren't enough , they can be obliterated by a car behind you In his lights you become invisible as your front light is lost in the glare - especially in the wet.

you got to give drivers as much warning as possible, they are traveling much faster than you so have less time to asses the situation, so black kit on a black bike at night on unlit roads - is a bit suicidal.

what I'm saying is aimed at rural cycling more than town cycling

I agree with Flying monkey about town cycling were illumination levels are much higher.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Jeffery Ryan Clark, 27, died the night of Nov. 16 when the bicycle he was riding on Wall Street hit a car as it turned in to the driveway of a condominium complex. Clark was wearing dark clothing on a dark, rainy night. He was also not wearing a helmet and had no lights on his bicycle.

Cpl. Norm Smith, head of Nanaimo RCMP Traffic Services, said police concluded it was a terrible tragedy, and given the circumstances, there was no way for the driver to have seen Clark.

Really? No way?

So the driver turns across the path of on-coming traffic in foul weather at night without being sure it is safe to do so and you think they are not at all at fault?

Good job there was no pedestrian walking along the sidewalk eh?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

you got to give drivers as much warning as possible, they are traveling much faster than you so have less time to asses the situation, so black kit on a black bike at night on unlit roads - is a bit suicidal.

Oh well, that's me topped then.

I'll cross you off the list of invitees for the memorial service.

And seriously you really think the colour of the bike makes a difference? How wide are your seat stays? Or are white panniers mandatory too?

 

[bianchi1]

Really? No way?

So the driver turns across the path of on-coming traffic in foul weather at night without being sure it is safe to do so and you think they are not at all at fault?

Good job there was no pedestrian walking along the sidewalk eh?

Astonishing!

Clark was wearing dark clothing on a dark, rainy night and had no lights on his bicycle.

Did you miss that bit?

 

[Flying_Monkey]

There is a particular issue with human vision at twilight - many people don't even realise that their vision is significantly impaired at this time.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Astonishing!

Clark was wearing dark clothing on a dark, rainy night and had no lights on his bicycle.

Did you miss that bit?

He could have been lit up like a christmas tree or dressed like a fluoro timmy mallet and still got hit. What is your point?

 

[bianchi1]

He could have been lit up like a christmas tree or dressed like a fluoro timmy mallet and still got hit. What is your point?

It appears that the authorities determined that because he was not lit up like a christmas tree or dressed like a fluoro timmy mallet the driver did not see him and he was run over.

seems pretty clear. Sad but clear.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

It appears that the authorities determined that because he was not lit up like a christmas tree or dressed like a fluoro timmy mallet the driver did not see him and he was run over.

seems pretty clear. Sad but clear.

Can they determine if he had lights/fluoro that the outcome would have been different?

 

[bianchi1]

Im guessing they are working from the evidence that has been gathered through history that lights make things visible.

maybe they referenced lighthouses, torches, fire beacons, the sun and stars, car headlights etc and came to the conclusion if you aint carrying some type of light at night there is a chance drivers, pedestrians or even other cyclists may not see you.

 

[theclaud]

Im guessing they are working from the evidence that has been gathered through history that lights make things visible.

Is this why cars have them? On the front? So that they can see things in their path? And not run into them? Just askin', like...

 

[bianchi1]

Its not me honest!!

Greg seems keen to move the discussion toward cycling at night and the fact that no cyclist can ever be to blame for any accident. He asked me find a case where the driver was not at fault. I did, it involved lights! what could i do?

 

[bianchi1]

Focus people!!

Start your own thread arguing the positive and negative points of lights

This is about High Viz..looking like a lemon..etc etc

 

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

I like black. Given the choice I will pick black every single time. I choose to wear black because I'm shallow and vain. I sometimes might wear white, grey or pink (so long as I don't look like a lolly) as well.
You can wear whatever you like and choose.. Who asked you anyway? Sorry I just don't get the point of this argument?

 

[Hacienda71]

I blame Rapha Condor Sharp and Sky with their black team kit......