| Cyclists! 17:24 - Dec 11 with 1841 views | Guthrum |
If you haven't already, buy some lights for your bike!
Otherwise you're damn near invisible after about 4.30pm, especially in dark clothing.
Thanks,
A motorist. |  |
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| Cyclists! on 21:58 - Dec 11 with 421 views | naa |
| Cyclists! on 21:22 - Dec 11 by StNeotsBlue |
I'm sad to hear you are afraid. Chin up, front foot forward and all will be fine. |
Err, quite an inference there. |  | | |
| Cyclists! on 23:32 - Dec 11 with 378 views | Mark |
| Cyclists! on 18:46 - Dec 11 by TVRBlue |
I'm a keen cyclist, and other cyclists that ride bicycles without lights does my head in.
Halfords have a set of lights (front and back) for just £5-00. They won't be the brightest lights but they will help others see you.
I just don't understand why anyone, knowing they'll be riding a bike in the dark, don't buy lights.
And, unfortunately, those that don't put lights on their bikes only encourages the car driver against cyclist aggression which, whilst is understandable, isn't fair on those of us that do use lights. [Post edited 11 Dec 18:47]
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You can also buy a high-vis vest for about £4. It is stupidity to ride a bike in the dark with no lights, dressed in dark clothing, yet I see it nearly every day. Something really should be done to keep our roads safe. |  | | |
| Cyclists! on 07:20 - Dec 12 with 335 views | Benters |
When I was cycling every day I’d have my lights on all the time on flicker mode and I’d be dressed up in the brightest top I could buy,and cars would still pull out on me,or pass so close you’d basically sh1t yourself.
But once out into the beautiful countryside it’s was the best thing ever my favourite is from Benters taking in Dedham,Polstead,Nayland,Mount Bures,Wormingford,Fordham,West Bergholt,Horksley,Back to Dedham and back to Benters through the Bromley’s.That worked out at 100k and do it in under 4 hours. |  |
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| Cyclists! on 07:29 - Dec 12 with 328 views | Swansea_Blue |
| Cyclists! on 19:53 - Dec 11 by DarkBrandon |
Yes, they are against the Highway Code, but are safer and longer lasting. What are you going to do? |
I find flashing lights to be worse than steady lights. As a driver I struggle to gauge distances if a cyclist only has a flashing rear light, which to my simple mind makes them more dangerous. I’ve got small ones on each of my bikes as an emergency if I get caught out later than expected, but only run them in flashing mode if I’ve got a steady light on as well. |  |
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| Cyclists! on 07:46 - Dec 12 with 310 views | BlueBoots |
| Cyclists! on 07:29 - Dec 12 by Swansea_Blue |
I find flashing lights to be worse than steady lights. As a driver I struggle to gauge distances if a cyclist only has a flashing rear light, which to my simple mind makes them more dangerous. I’ve got small ones on each of my bikes as an emergency if I get caught out later than expected, but only run them in flashing mode if I’ve got a steady light on as well. |
I always go steady lights when it's "night" (properly dark), and flashing lights in low visibility during the day (overcast, rainstorms etc.)
Front, rear and wheel reflectors too - probably for the best cycling in London. |  |
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| Cyclists! on 07:49 - Dec 12 with 307 views | BlueBoots |
| Cyclists! on 21:32 - Dec 11 by Meadowlark |
Yeah. Me too.
And I'm also a car driver, a motorcyclist and a pedestrian. Not all at the same time!
I not only have lights on my bicycle after dark but also wear a reflective jacket. And I can adjust the main beam manually just like a car's dipping headlights.
I also despair at (fellow) cyclists using the road when there is an immediately adjacent designated cycle path! |
On Monday morning, I despaired of a flash tw@t in a yellow Bentley who decided he wasn't obliged to join a queue of traffic, because he was entitled to drive in the adjacent segregated bike lane instead...
Seeing a lot more of this type of thing around London now, to the point where I'm considering CyclingMikey measures | |
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| Cyclists! on 07:49 - Dec 12 with 306 views | StokieBlue |
On my cycle home it's very obvious that things have become worse over the last few years. Cycling is popular in London now but so many cyclists don't use lights, helmets and many seem to deliberately wear dark clothes.
The food delivery drivers are the worst, barely ever have lights and seemingly wear the darkest clothes they can find. That's also assuming they aren't going 40mph down a dedicated cycle lane on an unrestricted electric bike.
SB |  | | |
| Cyclists! on 07:52 - Dec 12 with 300 views | naa |
| Cyclists! on 07:29 - Dec 12 by Swansea_Blue |
I find flashing lights to be worse than steady lights. As a driver I struggle to gauge distances if a cyclist only has a flashing rear light, which to my simple mind makes them more dangerous. I’ve got small ones on each of my bikes as an emergency if I get caught out later than expected, but only run them in flashing mode if I’ve got a steady light on as well. |
I'm the exact opposite. As bikes move slowly and we don't look for long periods when pulling out of junctions (a look left and right, that's all) it's hard to gauge distance. I've also mistaken bikes for stationary lit up bollards because they don't move fast enough. I'd spot a flashing light immediately | | | |
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| Cyclists! on 08:00 - Dec 12 with 293 views | DJR |
It is obviously sensible to have lights and wear light clothing but it is interesting to note from government figures that of the 17,574 cyclists killed or seriously injured between 2019 and 2023, only 269 were caused by not displaying lights at night or in poor visibility.
I might add that I have never been blinded or otherwise affect by cyclists' flashing lights. I am also perfectly happy to stay behind a cyclist for so long as it takes to safely pass but I don't sense many other drivers are like that. And on narrow country roads I moderate my speed just in case a car, cyclist or horse* is coming in the opposite direction.
For what it is worth, I gave up cycling to the station when hit in broad daylight by a car pulling out at a junction, and I just sense that the standard of driving has deteriorated since I first learnt to drive.
Finally, I don't really get the hatred that the right wing media has for cyclists.
* I forgot to mention deer which are common where I live. [Post edited 12 Dec 14:56]
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| Cyclists! on 08:40 - Dec 12 with 255 views | Bluesky |
| Cyclists! on 20:04 - Dec 11 by GavTWTD |
Oh and I remember on my Cycling Proficiency Test that you had to have a bell or horn. When walking my dogs on paths in the park I'm expected to have a sixth sense when they're approaching us at speed and they get annoyed that I'm slowing them down.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_Proficiency_Test |
Absolutely totally experience the same -( except I no longer have a dog) It would be different story if cyclists were compelled to display a registration number. I’m considering wearing a Go Pro every time I go out. Even things up a bit. |  | | |
| Cyclists! on 08:43 - Dec 12 with 251 views | StokieBlue |
| Cyclists! on 08:40 - Dec 12 by Bluesky |
Absolutely totally experience the same -( except I no longer have a dog) It would be different story if cyclists were compelled to display a registration number. I’m considering wearing a Go Pro every time I go out. Even things up a bit. |
Just so many cyclist and so few police I think most would just ignore the requirement as they are unlikely to get stopped.
This is the same for unrestricted electric bikes, there are absolutely loads of them in London and occasionally the police setup a checkpoint and maybe seize 100 but it's barely a dent.
Same with light jumping, the police are sometimes up Barbican stopping people jumping the lights but that's probably once a month at one junction.
Given this I think a lot of riders, especially delivery riders, would just take their chances.
SB [Post edited 12 Dec 8:44]
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| Cyclists! on 08:47 - Dec 12 with 250 views | naa |
| Cyclists! on 08:00 - Dec 12 by DJR |
It is obviously sensible to have lights and wear light clothing but it is interesting to note from government figures that of the 17,574 cyclists killed or seriously injured between 2019 and 2023, only 269 were caused by not displaying lights at night or in poor visibility.
I might add that I have never been blinded or otherwise affect by cyclists' flashing lights. I am also perfectly happy to stay behind a cyclist for so long as it takes to safely pass but I don't sense many other drivers are like that. And on narrow country roads I moderate my speed just in case a car, cyclist or horse* is coming in the opposite direction.
For what it is worth, I gave up cycling to the station when hit in broad daylight by a car pulling out at a junction, and I just sense that the standard of driving has deteriorated since I first learnt to drive.
Finally, I don't really get the hatred that the right wing media has for cyclists.
* I forgot to mention deer which are common where I live. [Post edited 12 Dec 14:56]
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This 100%. Poor cyclists at worst are an annoyance. Poor drivers at worst, kill people. Yet which is vilified?
If more people cycled our towns roads and hospitals would all greatly benefit, yet the right wing seems to have decided that they are a scourge on society. | | | |
| Cyclists! on 09:13 - Dec 12 with 231 views | _CliveBaker_ |
| Cyclists! on 07:20 - Dec 12 by Benters |
When I was cycling every day I’d have my lights on all the time on flicker mode and I’d be dressed up in the brightest top I could buy,and cars would still pull out on me,or pass so close you’d basically sh1t yourself.
But once out into the beautiful countryside it’s was the best thing ever my favourite is from Benters taking in Dedham,Polstead,Nayland,Mount Bures,Wormingford,Fordham,West Bergholt,Horksley,Back to Dedham and back to Benters through the Bromley’s.That worked out at 100k and do it in under 4 hours. |
You realise it would be much quicker to drive? |  | | |
| Cyclists! on 09:18 - Dec 12 with 227 views | Ryorry |
| Cyclists! on 08:47 - Dec 12 by naa |
This 100%. Poor cyclists at worst are an annoyance. Poor drivers at worst, kill people. Yet which is vilified?
If more people cycled our towns roads and hospitals would all greatly benefit, yet the right wing seems to have decided that they are a scourge on society. |
"Poor cyclists at worst are an annoyance. Poor drivers at worst, kill people"
And sometimes, just someimes, good drivers kill poor cyclists because poor cyclists make themselves suicidally invisible in the dark. |  |
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| Cyclists! on 11:45 - Dec 12 with 185 views | mellowblue |
| Cyclists! on 20:12 - Dec 11 by Guthrum |
Sadly, some of these ultra-bright headlights are dipped, but still blind the on-coming driver. |
especially on aging eyes, the dazzle effect is horrendous. Also they are supposed to self-level but if I pass a car coming up a hill, the effect is even worse. Apart from night games, I try to avoid long periods of night driving now. | | | |
| Cyclists! on 12:01 - Dec 12 with 175 views | Benters |
| Cyclists! on 09:13 - Dec 12 by _CliveBaker_ |
You realise it would be much quicker to drive? |
Not as good for you though or fun 😅 | |
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| Cyclists! on 12:05 - Dec 12 with 173 views | Mookamoo |
Amongst other jobs, I'm a cycling instructor who goes into schools to teach road use. Visibility is the very first thing we teach (that and do your laces up...)
There is unfortunately a growing trend for stealth cycling, especially in older teens as its seen to be a little edgy.
There is absolutely no excuse for a grown adult not to wear something visible this time of year. Even before the sun goes down, its still pretty dull. |  | | |
| Cyclists! on 12:05 - Dec 12 with 170 views | longtimefan |
| Cyclists! on 11:45 - Dec 12 by mellowblue |
especially on aging eyes, the dazzle effect is horrendous. Also they are supposed to self-level but if I pass a car coming up a hill, the effect is even worse. Apart from night games, I try to avoid long periods of night driving now. |
My annoyance last night was actually a head torch from someone jogging on the path adjacent to oncoming traffic. Incredibly bright and kept shining directly in my eyes, effectively blinding my vision for a few seconds at a time  | | | |
| Cyclists! on 13:42 - Dec 12 with 141 views | stonojnr |
Its important not to out group people purely based on a single characteristic, like the mode of transport they use.
Like I dont say oi motorists youre all useless because you kill 3-5people on the roads everyday,and won't accept the guilt for it because you speed, you cant stop using phones whilst driving and you jump red traffic lights (moron on Wednesday before the game at the civic drive/Willis crossing, lights were red, people were crossing on their green and this tit just suddenly floored it and had the ass to actually beep at the pedestrians in his way)
No i just accept as in all facets of life some people are simply idiots, some of them drive cars, some of them ride bicycles, some of those idiots on bicycles dont use lights, some of those idiots in cars never fix broken headlights either.
So let's just say all idiots who dont use lights are the problem and leave it at that | | | |
| Cyclists! on 13:46 - Dec 12 with 132 views | stonojnr |
| Cyclists! on 21:32 - Dec 11 by Meadowlark |
Yeah. Me too.
And I'm also a car driver, a motorcyclist and a pedestrian. Not all at the same time!
I not only have lights on my bicycle after dark but also wear a reflective jacket. And I can adjust the main beam manually just like a car's dipping headlights.
I also despair at (fellow) cyclists using the road when there is an immediately adjacent designated cycle path! |
Why ? Most cycle paths are actually badly designed , are higher risk for cycling on and create far more conflict points in shared space where inevitably they haven't given enough space to share properly. | | | |
| Cyclists! on 13:52 - Dec 12 with 129 views | stonojnr |
| Cyclists! on 19:09 - Dec 11 by BasingstokeBlue |
When I had to learn the Highway Code (many years ago) one of the early sections stated that road-using vehicles should display one or more STEADY forward-facing white lights and one or more STEADY rear-facing red lights. The ONLY permitted use of flashing lights was for indicating the driver's intention to turn/change lanes.
This applied to ALL road-using vehicles (bicycles included) and, to some extent, pedestrians (who were optionally exempt from carrying the rear-facing red light). |
Which is why you should always keep yourself upto date on changes in the law and guidance...think it mentions that in the Highway code.
Since 2005 its been legal for flashing lights to used as sole light on bicycles, as long as they meet certain specs, which most sold in the UK do
But here's a handy refresher
https://www.cyclinguk.org/lighting-regulations | | | |
| Cyclists! on 14:31 - Dec 12 with 104 views | redrickstuhaart |
| Cyclists! on 07:46 - Dec 12 by BlueBoots |
I always go steady lights when it's "night" (properly dark), and flashing lights in low visibility during the day (overcast, rainstorms etc.)
Front, rear and wheel reflectors too - probably for the best cycling in London. |
Two lights. One flashing and one not would be sensible. Drivers rely on glimpses with peripheral vision. If your light isn't showing steadily I for one have missed them on first glance | | | |
| Cyclists! on 15:30 - Dec 12 with 93 views | naa |
| Cyclists! on 09:18 - Dec 12 by Ryorry |
"Poor cyclists at worst are an annoyance. Poor drivers at worst, kill people"
And sometimes, just someimes, good drivers kill poor cyclists because poor cyclists make themselves suicidally invisible in the dark. |
Oh, for sure. As you can see from my previous posts, I don't have any time for idiot cyclists who do things to increase their chances of being killed even further. | | | |
| Cyclists! on 15:32 - Dec 12 with 89 views | naa |
| Cyclists! on 13:46 - Dec 12 by stonojnr |
Why ? Most cycle paths are actually badly designed , are higher risk for cycling on and create far more conflict points in shared space where inevitably they haven't given enough space to share properly. |
Or there's the one along Kesgrave main road that is of shocking quality. | | | |
| Cyclists! on 16:42 - Dec 12 with 62 views | StNeotsBlue |
| Cyclists! on 21:58 - Dec 11 by naa |
Err, quite an inference there. |
It was clearly meant as a joke as you said "I'm afraid". |  | | |
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