TeamAwareness

Hello,

We are a group of students based out of Nova Scotia (Canada) that are currently involved in a project centered around bike awareness -- specifically, developing a product to increase driver awareness of cyclists.

As part of our research, we have interviewed customers and employees at some of the local bike shops. But we are also interested in obtaining viewpoints from a broader range of individuals. We prepared a few questions, below:

1. What safety items do you carry on your bicycle?
2. What safety items do you find most effective during the day? At night? Why?
3. What do you find most dangerous about cycling on city roads? Why?
4. We have noticed that adjustable light patterns (such as solid/blinking) tend to be popular. Why would cyclists want that adjustability?
5. Are there any habits you have adopted to keep yourself safe while cycling? If so, why do think they are effective?
6. There are a number of safety-focused items available. If you have not purchased them, why not?
7. Why is performance (e.g., battery life of a light) important?

If anyone could take a few minutes to answer some (or all) of them, we would appreciate that very much!

Sincerely,
Team Awareness

Gidgmom

Great project!

My answers:

1) Headlight (one in daylight, two in low-light or darkness); taillight (one during day, two or three at night), tires with reflective sidewall; GoPro (mounted on my helmet); hi-viz rear pannier bags, hi-viz helmet, hi-viz backpack cover, hi-viz gloves, hi-viz jacket (except during summer).

2) I use all of it, all the time. If the daytime is cloudy or rainy, you need to be acting like it's nighttime.

3) Cars -- those that are moving (and whose drivers don't properly use turn signals) and those that are parked (if their door opens up while you're riding by them). I'm most leery of coming up on cars that are, or may, turn right.

4) I've read that during daytime, blinking bike headlights are the most visible.
5) The habit I'm trying to make 100% is to concentrate on my surroundings, all the time.
6) I don't yet have a safety vest. I may get one if I stop carrying the backpack during summer.
7) battery life is important because you don't want it running out while you're in the middle of a ride (which is why I use two headlights at night).

Good luck with your project.

DrIsotope

1. Front blinky (white,) two rear blinkies (red).
2. Rear blinky most effective during the day. I usually only run the front light in low-light conditions, be it overcast or after sunset. I believe the taillight to be effective because cars aren't running into me.
3. Not specifically cars, but the distracted people who drive them. The brightest taillight in the world has no effect on someone who isn't looking.
4. Blinking works best in daylight, solid works best in the dark-- or better still, having a solid and a blinking in the dark.
5. Just paying attention. I operate under the assumption that every car on the road is out to kill me. ALWAYS assume the driver didn't see you, until you get a visual confirmation that they did see you. Eye contact-- I always try to make eye contact. It seems to be working, I ride a lot, and miss all the cars.
6. Things like the Fly6/12 cameras and the Varia radar looks neat, but are way out of my price range. It still burns me that I have $75 worth of taillights on the bike, and they're not even for me-- they're so other people will (hopefully) see me.
7. The battery life of a light is important for the same reasons the battery life of anything is important. It's functionality is directly tied to it's battery life. Longer is obviously better. My Hotshot 150 gets about 15 hours of medium flash, and that's about the minimum acceptable battery life, IMO.

SylvainG

See my replies in red within

Fett2oo5

What safety items do you carry on your bicycle? Headlight, and taillight. Also wear a helmet, always.

What safety items do you find most effective during the day? Lights are attached but not on, unless it's at dawn/dusk. Mainly because of the light's battery capacity. If I had a taillight that would last longer I'd turn it on for every ride. At night? Lights. Why? To illuminate the area in front of me. As well as myself, so I am seen by other people, especially motorist.

What do you find most dangerous about cycling on city roads? Motorists, and road conditions. Why? Motorist don't seem to think anything should be on the road except for cars and trucks. Most don't ever look for motorcycles, much, much less cyclists. So, not only do you have motorists not looking out for cyclists, mostly out of ignorance, but you have motorist who think cyclists don't deserve to be on the road in the first place. This creates a hostile, if at the very least, an unsafe environment for cyclist to travel. Bad road conditions can be dangerous for cyclists because it is an unsafe terrain to travel on, as well as being damaging to bicycles.

We have noticed that adjustable light patterns (such as solid/blinking) tend to be popular. Why would cyclists want that adjustability? To bring more attention to ourselves. Many motorists aren't looking for cyclists, having a different, "eye-catching" light pattern will help to increase motorist's awareness of a cyclist's location.

Are there any habits you have adopted to keep yourself safe while cycling? If so, why do think they are effective? I ride my bike as you would drive a car after taking a Defensive Driving course. When at intersections I look in EVERY direction to see if a motor vehicle even has the ability to collide with me. Then take the necessary action to be safe. I will use the correct signalling to communicate to others my intentions, most times well in advance, and for 30s or so, before I will take the action. I have considered purchasing video recording cameras on my bike to provide police and insurance with evidence should an incident occur.

There are a number of safety-focused items available. If you have not purchased them, why not? Primarily cost. It's not about putting a price on safety, and all about being able to actually fit it into my budget. Secondary to that are battery life the physical size of lights/cameras, and being able to mount them. Only when the first two are considered, and all else being equal, will I then consider aerodynamics. After all, the more energy that can be conserved, the longer I am able to enjoy riding my bike.

Why is performance (e.g., battery life of a light) important? Recharge frequency creates a "chore" or task to be performed that becomes necessary for X amount of rides. Currently I have a taillight that lasts for about 4 hours. My ride times are growing to surpass 4 hours now. So I'm already past the point of having to charge the light each time I want to ride (If I have to use it) and now to the point where it won't even last for the entire ride. I must now purchase a light which has a longer battery life, which will potentially be bigger, and much more costly. This philosophy applies to headlights and video recording cameras.

AlexCyclistRoch

[*]What safety items do you carry on your bicycle?

A cell phone, and a firearm
[*]What safety items do you find most effective during the day? At night? Why?

The loaded firearm
[*]What do you find most dangerous about cycling on city roads? Why?

People stopping me to ask dumb questionnaires
[*]We have noticed that adjustable light patterns (such as solid/blinking) tend to be popular. Why would cyclists want that adjustability?

To "disco down", of course
[*]Are there any habits you have adopted to keep yourself safe while cycling? If so, why do think they are effective?

Pulling my firearm at the least sign of danger. People avoid me then...
[*]There are a number of safety-focused items available. If you have not purchased them, why not?

Because a gun seems to be enough
[*]Why is performance (e.g., battery life of a light) important?

I dunno....maybe because the sucker don't work without it?

Jim from Boston

By way of introduction, I have been living a cycling lifestyle for about 40 years: year round cycle commuting in Boston, road cycling, and cycle touring, including a US cross country ride. I don't know how valid or useful this survey is but it gave me a chance to take stock of my own safety "program." Let us know of any results.

1. What safety items do you carry on your bicycle?
Besides helmet, reflective jacket or vest, gloves, sun visor, and lights; two rearview mirrors (left and right);see this link


2. What safety items do you find most effective during the day? At night? Why?
Mirrors are most important; I travel in the city mostly with sufficient ambient illumination. I have two rearview red lights, one blinking and one steady, particularly should one fail.


3, What do you find most dangerous about cycling on city roads? Why?
Cars, including parked ones; bad pavement; to a lesser extent pedestrians, other cyclists.


4. We have noticed that adjustable light patterns (such as solid/blinking) tend to be popular. Why would cyclists want that adjustability?
Some think one is better than the other…blinking is more eye-catching; steady allows for better judgement of distance (so they say). Some think flashing lights actually attract a drunken driver, as if a target. I think a leg light provides a particularly effective rotary pedaling motion.


5. Are there any habits you have adopted to keep yourself safe while cycling? If so, why do think they are effective?
One of my perennial posts:Also, just yesterday, I posted about a new riding style I recently adopted:
6.There are a number of safety-focused items available. If you have not purchased them, why not?
One unique one that may be effective is a pool noodle. Just haven’t got around to finding one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

… One other item I read about in only one thread on BF is the somewhat whimsical idea of extending your space with the use of a pool noodle, an idea I myself have yet to try.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

...However to add to your list of visibility aids, see this thread, “Safety hack for bikes using a pool noodle.”It has a video and photo of a pool noodle. I recall thinking it is something I might put on my bike, and a pool store is nearby my workplace, so I’ll have to check it out.

7. Why is performance (e.g., battery life of a light) important?
I have posted just yesterday:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

…However, in contrast to motorists in fancy cars, I think cyclists are much more invested in their bikes and paraphernalia.

We have to expand our own personal physical energy to move the bike, we are more vulnerable without the heavy armored vehicle to surround us, and we’re exposed to the elements of weather and the environment. So it makes sense to focus and seek out the best / optimum when cycling, and compromise when driving…

BTW, I have cycled in Nova Scotia: Ferry to Yarmouth, on through Digby, Kejimkujik PP, Peggy's Cove and Halifax...a cycling paradise.

flangehead

My context is commuting to work. My route is 90% suburban 4 lane 45 mph posted and 10% MUP, day and night.

1. On bike, mirror, white LED lights forward, red LED rear, standard reflectors, bell, air horn. On body when low visibility: reflective vest, ankle reflectors, Glo-Gloves. Fluorescent green helmet with forward white and red rear LED.
2. I think the helmet mounted lights are the most important both day and night because they are highest. At night I have flashing red LED on in back and strong headlamp forward. During the day I use flashing helmet lights selectively and flashing white LED on handlebars. I think lights improve my conspicuity.
3. I think the most dangerous situation is when vision is impaired by strong forward light. The classic example is driving into a sunrise/sunset. Both of my serious bike crashes were in this situation.
4. I think flashing lights are more conspicuous during the day. At night I can switch helmet LED to change my appearance.
5. I have to take the lane in some portions of my commute. I avoid taking the lane when a pack of cars is coming up behind me. When I take the lane in daylight, I turn on my rear helmet LED flashing and turn it off when I return to the shoulder. At intersections during the day I turn on a helmet-mount flashing white LED if I feel the situation is iffy. When I see a vehicle approaching me in my mirror I swing my head left then wave so they know I know they are there. When I take the lane and someone doesn't change lanes I turn around and look at them. I believe, but can't prove, that making changes in visual clues is more likely to catch motorist's attention.
6. I keep an eye out for ideas and I try some.
7. Performance is very dependent on context. My commute is 30 minutes so short rechargeable lights work. For me reliability is important. Also, for my helmet lights, a switch with reliable operation and tactile feedback is important because I operate it while riding.

Joe Minton

3/23 December 2014:

I was ‘brushed’ by a car, put into the curb and crashed onto the sidewalk: Two broken ribs, smashed RH collar bone & attendant bruising. My helmet was crushed (right frontal). I now have a ‘goofy’ looking right shoulder (bad doctor).

She was on her cell phone and never saw me or what she had done.

I now avoid busy hours & days. I avoid holidays & other times when we Americans seem to go ‘effing’ crazy.


Joe

BTW: 1) I was wearing my usual obnoxious coloration: 1) lime day-glow yellow helmet; 2) bright yellow shirt; very bright flashing tail light.

BTW: Two witnesses gave me the license #. Cops couldn’t do anything. However, subsequently, she had to buy a new set of tires – she has new tires but my shoulder is still goofy looking.

prathmann

Probably too late now due to statute of limitations, but did you consider a civil suit at the time? With witnesses and significant injuries I'd think it would have been appropriate and likely to succeed.

FBinNY 

1- don't carry anything special, except for head and tail lights at dusk or night.

2- see number one.

3- the biggest urban danger is intersections, because of the multiple possible traffic patterns, and how they affect vision and perception.

4- I find that a slow blinking AMBER tail light is most effective. Blinking lights represent stationary hazards (and bicycles in NYS) and make drivers sit up and take notice. More important, they wil, cause drivers to understimate my speed, and go around sooner rather than later.

5- over 50 years of urban and rural riding, I've stayed safe by mentally accounting for everything around me, and considering not only what they will do or should do, but what they might do. That means, for example, if someone is approaching from my right and has a stop sign, I don't assume he'll stop, and plane my reaction and escape in case he doesn't.

6- other than appropriate and effective lighting, I don't buy safety because I don't bet my life on passive devices, and prefer taking an active role. Drivers don't have to see me and do what's right because I see them and try to be ready for anything.

7- IMO stupid question because the answer is obvious. Stuff has to do what it's supposed to do, ie. light up the road and/or make me stand out in a cluttered field of vision. There's no benefit in using anything that doesn't do what it's supposed to.

If it helps qualify my responses, I've been riding in and around NYC for 50+ years, plus have done extensive touring all over the US and Canada. I'm thoroughly comfortable in the traffic stream, and consider riding our roads a relatively safe activity, which can be made a very safe activity with a bit of awareness and street sense.

wphamilton

1. What safety items do you carry on your bicycle?
Tail light. Head light comes off my road bike in the summer but stays on other bikes.

2 What safety items do you find most effective during the day? At night? Why?
No items are effective. Judgment and paying attention is most effective for safety.

3 What do you find most dangerous about cycling on city roads? Why?
Bad or sloppy pavement, then slick roads.

4 We have noticed that adjustable light patterns (such as solid/blinking) tend to be popular. Why would cyclists want that adjustability?

Irregular patterns are more eye-catching. If a cyclist believes that catching the eye of motorists is what improves his safety, that's one of the best ways to do it.


5 Are there any habits you have adopted to keep yourself safe while cycling? If so, why do think they are effective?

See number 2

6 There are a number of safety-focused items available. If you have not purchased them, why not?

See number 2. Headlight and taillight at night are the only effective safety items.

7 Why is performance (e.g., battery life of a light) important?

Convenience.

coominya

Spoken like a true believer. A believer in Reality that is.

ItsJustMe

1) All I carry is lighting, a spare tube and pump, and a bottle of water. I've used my shirt to bind a wound before, if that counts. I do own front and rear video cameras, but those are evidence gathering devices, not safety devices. Running a camera doesn't make me safe.

2) The lighting is all I use regularly.

3) The most dangerous thing about ANY roads is poor maintenance, from lack of sweeping up gravel and debris to unpatched potholes and very bad bumps and cracks. Poor design is the next - even when cycling infrastructure is present, it's frequently a waste of money because it was designed without input from anyone who rides a bike on a regular basis and is ineffective or possibly even dangerous (I've seen bike paths that are more dangerous than the road they're built next to)

4) The purpose of adjusting lights is to maximize conspicuity while minimizing irritation to other road users. During the day a very bright strobe is useful, but it would be horrible at night. One big problem is that almost all bike lights are not built for road use and do not have properly shaped beams with horizon cutoff, so they tend to be a bit blinding to oncoming drivers. We're only starting to get lights that are not built like this (the Magicshine Eagle is one such).

On the back, if it's dark, I will have one light on constant and one flashing. The newer LEDs are finally bright enough. IMO at least a 50 lumen taillight is required for proper safety. On the front, 200 lumens is enough to be seen, but I need probably 500 lumens to see by, as my route includes hill descents in wooded areas with no lights and frequently after rainstorms there may be gravel and debris washed into the road to avoid, and I'm probably going 30 MPH, so I need to see quite a way down the road.

5) The entirety of utilitarian cycling is an exercise in keeping safe while cycling. I'd have to write a book. Also, what is effective in one area may be dangerous in another. It varies from location to location based on traffic law, infrastructure design and driver behavior. There is no one true safe way to ride a bicycle everywhere.

6) I think we've already established that I own lights.

7a) Performance is important because something that doesn't work isn't much good. This is kind of a dumb question, isn't it? Are we going to ask people why they prefer to buy cars that don't break down?

7b) I ride for 3 hours a day on commuting days. I need to have batteries in everything that will last at least 2 hours, so I can charge them at work and again at home, but 3 to 4 hours is better.

genec

You want to increase driver awareness of cyclists... forget trying to make individual cyclists bright or shiny... instead try big billboards, and TV ads that feature cyclists and a message that says, "They are brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers... slow down and watch for them."

ItsJustMe

I agree, concentrating on what a cyclist can do to increase safety is useful, but it misses the biggest risk.

The BIGGEST risk, BY FAR, is drivers. In particular in the last 5 years and getting worse every day is distracted driving, particularly phone users.

rumrunn6

What safety items do you carry on your bicycle?
- front strobe headlight, 2 rear facing strobes, street legal reflectors, helmet

What safety items do you find most effective during the day? At night? Why?
- strobe lights, for being seen

What do you find most dangerous about cycling on city roads? Why?
- road hazards because as you try to avoid them you might ride closer into traffic

We have noticed that adjustable light patterns (such as solid/blinking) tend to be popular. Why would cyclists want that adjustability?
- front strobe during day but at night I light a steady bright beam

Are there any habits you have adopted to keep yourself safe while cycling? If so, why do think they are effective?
- yes, never ride drunk. I'm more in control & less likely to be distracted

There are a number of safety-focused items available. If you have not purchased them, why not?

Why is performance (e.g., battery life of a light) important?
- if you're out late & 1 mile from home, you don't want your light to cut out & leave you in the dark

Jim from Boston

Quote:

Originally Posted by genec

You want to increase driver awareness of cyclists... forget trying to make individual cyclists bright or shiny... instead try big billboards, and TV ads that feature cyclists and a message that says,"They are brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers... slow down and watch for them."

Quote:

Originally Posted by ItsJustMe

I agree, concentrating on what a cyclist can do to increase safety is useful, but it misses the biggest risk.

The BIGGEST risk, BY FAR, is drivers. In particular in the last 5 years and getting worse every day is distracted driving, particularly phone users.

FYA, I have previously posted this photo of some amiable signage at an intersection in Brookline, MA on the stiff uphill direction on a narrow, well-traveled, two lane road without a shoulder with a dangerous acute-angled turn-off (though a scantly trod, rideable sidewalk is adjacent in front of the wooden fence; intersection of Goddard Ave and Cottage Street).

AlexCyclistRoch

Well, it's such a dumb post, I gotta have a little fun......

IronM

For orientation, I am a 53-yr old armature racer (road). I live on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia; For safety, I juggle training objectives with traffic patterns, and often just hit the trainer if roads are not quiet enough.

1. Safety items on bike: Cycliq Fly-6 rear video recorder w/light (always on); discrete bar-end mirror for quick checks when necessary.
2. Safety items at day: Rear blinky. At night; both front and rear lights are essential.
3. Most dangerous on city roads: Vehicles squeezing by when there isn’t lane width for it. That, and car doors, intersections, road conditions, gravel, grates, and so on.
4. Adjustable light patterns: flash for the day (so it can be seen) ; solid at night. fairly standard.
5. Habits: knowing the safer routes, and safety in numbers. On narrow roads without shoulder or bike lanes, I often ride into the lane enough so that cars will have to pass, rather than trying to squeeze by dangerously close.
6. Why not more safety items on bike? Most cyclist try to look ‘pro’. It’s socially expected that serious cyclist go minimum, with the exception of a blinky. Those are OK. Mirrors like mine? Uncool, like showing up for an A-ride with hairy legs.
7. Battery life: If choosing between recharging frequently or have a weight penalty of a larger battery, I’d choose recharging.

ItsJustMe

IronM: Cameras are not safety gear. They do not help keep you safe.

Chris0516

1. helmet, lights, lock, camera
2. Day-Helmet, lights, camera; Helmet, lights. So I can be seen at all times.
3. The speeds, on some roads, and the congestion.
4. To promote being seen.
5. Being the center of the lane. I feel it is effective because a motorist doesn't have to wonder about road position and probable intention.
6. I had a horn. But it hurt my ears, and the sound suddenly caused me to almost lose my balance. So I got rid of it.
7. Because of length of time on the road/trail.

Mark42

1. Helmet.
2. Helmet. Don't ride at night.
3. The cars, and the people who drive them. They tend to think cyclists never have the right of way. Especially when they are pulling out of a driveway or parking lot.
4. Personal preference I guess.
5. Yes. I am always looking out for possible situations where I will get hit or forced off the road.
6. Just a helmet.
7. If safety items do not perform well, there is no point in having them.

rumrunn6

sometimes I think my big white Polaroid sport cam, on my helmet, pointed backwards & to the side, aimed right at overtaking traffic is a warning shot, of sorts, to drivers to stay the frick away from me

Ryan12

First of all helmet guys