Basic safety?
09-02-07, 12:40 AM
#1
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Basic safety?
I was at the Chicago CM last night - the ride which claims to be just a ride but at some point its undeniably about bicycle awareness - and once more I find myself shocked at the sheer stupidity of thousands of cyclists who want people to respect them on the road yet don't have ANY lights on their bikes. What's the story with this? You read about cyclists complaining they aren't respected on the road but isn't it time cyclists respect themselves at least enough to be seen on the road? I haven't taken an official poll but just based on my night training rides, CM's and other organized night rides I've been on, the majority of people have NO lights on their bikes. I'd estimate only about 10% of people have any lights, maybe 5% have both front and rear. So by the numbers, lots of you reading this don't have lights.
So my question is, who are you people who ride at night without lights and/or reflectors and why do you do it? Of all the accessories you can add to a bike, lights are some of the least expensive so cost isn't the issue. So why do you want to be a danger on the road, to yourself and to others?
So my question is, who are you people who ride at night without lights and/or reflectors and why do you do it? Of all the accessories you can add to a bike, lights are some of the least expensive so cost isn't the issue. So why do you want to be a danger on the road, to yourself and to others?
09-02-07, 02:32 AM
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I agree - It's really dumb since it's pretty easy to realize who's going to win and lose in a car vs. cyclist accident.
Since I don't want to die anytime soon, I ride with front headlight (mounted on my head), rear LED flashers, 2x side LED flashers, and a big dork-yellow/green reflective vest. As soon as I figure out how to effectively mount a flashlight on my handlebars, I'll be adding a front LED flashlight or two.
I look like a lit up red and white candy cane/christmas tree out there, but at least I'm visible at night.
Since I don't want to die anytime soon, I ride with front headlight (mounted on my head), rear LED flashers, 2x side LED flashers, and a big dork-yellow/green reflective vest. As soon as I figure out how to effectively mount a flashlight on my handlebars, I'll be adding a front LED flashlight or two.
I look like a lit up red and white candy cane/christmas tree out there, but at least I'm visible at night.
09-02-07, 03:15 AM
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Same Road, Same Rules, Same Rights.
Riding at night without lights is just as lame as riding the wrong way on the sidewalk, maybe more so.
Riding at night without lights in a CM, where the cyclists are suppposedly there for cycling advocacy?
It just doesn't get any more lame than that.
This is the kind of thing that illustrates why CM is the cycling anti-advocacy.
Riding at night without lights is just as lame as riding the wrong way on the sidewalk, maybe more so.
Riding at night without lights in a CM, where the cyclists are suppposedly there for cycling advocacy?
It just doesn't get any more lame than that.
This is the kind of thing that illustrates why CM is the cycling anti-advocacy.
