General Cycling Discussion - Lighting sysems and night riding

I will have to go to a LBS and find the latest in lighting sytems..I look for cyclists riding in the dark constantly. Sort of a survey to see how many of us there are out there at night...
Coming into work today, I saw two cyclists on a very busy Temecula road. Were they ever lite up. Rarely do I see night riders. I could see them at least 3/4 of a mile away.
What I thought I saw, is where the reflective vest should be- the lights were blinking at the mid level of the back. Several blinking lights, in fact. Usually you see one blinkie about the seat post.
Could someone be making a reflective vest with blinking lights attached? Looked like about 5 seperate blinking lights a foot or so above the waist. They looked like Las Vegas..
What is the best night riding systems you have seen.? I ride with one rear blinking light and a reflective vest and a reflective strap about the ankles. I suspect the two cyclists, I saw this morning, would be the best set up -I have ever seen.

that sounds cool but I think I have heard of it before!! :D I just wear 3m Scotchlite jacket two lights on the front two Halogens Cateyes and one Cateye blinking one normal on the back!! :rolleyes:

Yes, you can get a vest with LED lighting. Check this (http://www.safehomeproducts.com/SHP/SM/Safety_Vest.asp) out.

Doug.. Thanks for link. Gotta have one. It was awesome.. So very visible.. Definitely will feel safer.. I was so impressed almost raced ahead to be able to stop them and ask them what kind of vest they were wearing.. Would have, didn't have time.. Had to hurry to work..

I wish I could find a backpack with that kind of visibility, although I do at least clip a red LED blinkie onto mine.

John E
LL Bean has many book bag back packs with a 1 inch by 4 inch reflective tape across the middle.

The light from the blinkies is very directional, and I have noticed that when they are attached to backpacks so they are shining upwards when the rider is leaning forward. This means that they are hardly visible from the rear. When they are attached to the seatpost, or the back of the luggage rack, you can be sure that they are pointed in the right direction.

Originally posted by AndrewP
The light from the blinkies is very directional, and I have noticed that when they are attached to backpacks so they are shining upwards when the rider is leaning forward. This means that they are hardly visible from the rear. When they are attached to the seatpost, or the back of the luggage rack, you can be sure that they are pointed in the right direction.
Blinkies are brightest when pointing towards their viewer's eyes. This is important.

Fresh batteries are the key to brightness. Rechargable alkalines are good, since they can be recharged as often as needed, giving you bright blinkies all the time.

Using a combo of blinkies and reflectors is wise. Blinkies alert drivers to your presence, while reflectors show your position steadily.

Reflectors alone are not a good idea.

I hope what I ordered from Dougc's link is as effective as what I saw on Winchester Road. I ordered them.
The person I relieved at the plant saw the same two riders going out a really dangerous segment of highway. They are definitely needed where he saw them. .... He said upon approaching them, he thought initially it was some sort of alien space ship hovering over the ground. Guess with my NR digital system and the vest/reflector/light system- I should be committed to night riding.. Wont have to argue with my wife about keeping the trainer in the garage.. Still with the group I ride with, no one really wants to go out at night..
Other here say they see packs of riders at night/ seems rare to me..

One thing that makes me cringe is that the majority of riders I see at night without lights are kids.... riding home tonight a couple of young girls were riding against traffic on a busy street. They even comented on my 9YO's headlight.... It's a miracle more kids don't become road pancakes.
:-(
Doug