Commuting - Day rides....light on or off?

Just a quick poll on the issue.....more and more im thinking of keeping them on.

There is some concessions, I wear a fluorescent vest, and if bad weather/fog I will put them on.

If your talking about running a blinkie front and rear, YES! Starting in 1978 motorcycles had to have there lights on all the time to improve there viability to other drivers.

Off, because I want my batteries and bulbs to last. It saves the trouble of having to make extra charges. OTOH, if there is clearly impaired visibility, then I turn them on.

If I had a generator hub, I might consider "day time running lights," but as it is, I'd rather save my batteries for when I need them.

I immediately noticed a sharp reduction in the number of crossings and pull-outs in front of me when I started using one of my DiNottes on the high/low flash setting during the day.

With cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles all running daytime running lights, it meets motorists' expectations that something with lights is a moving vehicle. It further distinguishes me from the riders who wobble along at 6 mph.

Every now and again I ride without lights and I always regret it. Yesterday afternoon doing hill training is a perfect example. I figured that doing hill repeats on a sunny afternoon on a very lightly traveled road on the U of R campus, that visibility wouldn't be a problem. So I never switched the lights from my commuter to my other bike.

On a 25 mph descent a kid pulled out in front on me, the O on his face through the side window showing his surprise. Had he not seen me, or had he misjudged my speed? Who knows? But I'm fairly certain it wouldn't have happened had I been running lights, because it never does when I run my lights.

That's interesting tsl. I only run lights in low visibility conditions (bad weather or darkness) but your post is timely because I was just having a discussion with some non-cycling friends about how inherently difficult it can be for drivers to judge a cyclist's speed. Here in Missoula, for example, most riders fall into two categories (with some overlap, myself for example). There are the college kids who maybe hadn't ridden a bike until middle school and really don't have any idea what they're doing, and the "serious" cyclists (looks around nervously for ILTB). The former are apt to weave from road to sidewalk haphazardly, rarely breaking 10 mph. Most of the roadies, however, and some of the stronger mountain bikers can easily keep pace with cars on many streets in the middleof town due to lowish speed limits and bad traffic. I don't want to b elitist, but it seems to me there have to be inherent differences in the accomodations/rules necessary for cyclists capable of going drastically varying speeds.

Fark, I really do sound like a snob :(

just for the added visibility - never have enough of that. I always wear my bright reflective vest too - big difference in cager response & behaviour when I wear it and with the lights on as opposed to when I don't

On. I have a generator hub, so why not? :)

I use my headlight and tail-light all the time when bike commuting in traffic. However, I don't use any lights typically for road rides unless it's very early in the morning or late in afternoon or raining. I always wear brightly colored jerseys, period.

I, too, have noticed a big difference when running lights in the daylight. Of course, daily commuting these past months has also made me a more confident rider, and I ride out there as if I belong there. That, too, makes a big difference.

I don't always run my headlight (though I am considering it), but my blinky taillight is always lit. I use Cat Eye LEDs at both ends, and have rechargeable batteries for both so there's no worry there (and I carry spares).

I voted off assuming day is a bright and sunny midday.

But clouds, morning and early evening I use lights.

Al

overcast or low light conditions I turn it on.
dinotte rear blinky I can use anytime of the day since it's very bright and powerful, but the front blinky I have probably can't be seen all too well on brighter days.

I suppose I should have given it more thought before voting.

My blinkie is always on. The headlight only comes on when it's darkish.

Off and in my bag unless it is overcast. More aero that way. :p

I used to use a DiNotte in flash mode & now I use Fenix L2D at strobe on my helmet during the day. I wouldn't leave home without one of those plus Planet Bike Superflash. That way I do not have doors opened in front of me & no one is cutting me off. An orange/bright yellow jersey helps too.

I always have them on, although during the daylight I'll put them on flashing while at night I'll put the headlights on steady. Anything I can do to make the cars aware of me is worth the effort.

I have been running my Superflash rear blinkie in daylight. It gives an impression of somebody who knows what they're doing, and might even have a right to use the road. My intent is to look more like traffic, and less like all the kids and food delivery guys swerving along, on the wrong side of the street. I do save my front light for night use however; I just don't think it's bright enough to be seen against the sunshine.

I voted "on", but if I am not downtown, and it is a bright sunny day, I will turn it off as I am on mostly backroads and don't feel I need it.

I ran my new trinewt on blink one day last week, and it REALLY got people's attention! It looks like the strobe on the front of an emergency vehicle.

I don't mind extra charges to run it if I feel it will help.

It depends on the conditions. Is it early morning? High traffic? Raining? If any of these, the answer is yes.

I ran my new trinewt on blink one day last week, and it REALLY got people's attention! It looks like the strobe on the front of an emergency vehicle.

I don't mind extra charges to run it if I feel it will help.

I run my Trinewt's strobe as well if I'm in commute-hour traffic and that strobe is attention-getting. I think it's worth it because I usually am riding in the bike lane which is on the periphery of their vision. When I'm sitting at a light, though, I cup my hand over the lens.

Now that I have a dynohub, I flip on the light whenever the weather is poor or it starts to get dark. With batteries, I would hesitate more.

I run in blink mode during the day, unless I'm on the MUP. I want every possible margin on my side, and I have noticed a difference in motorists' reaction times.

If I'm riding, my lights are on.

I have told my wife, "When I do get run over, it will be on purpose, not because they didn't see me."

(She hates that I say "When" instead of "If");)

On. I started using mine when I almost pulled out in front of a car because I didn't see the dingy brown thing camouflaged in early-morning shadows. It occurred to me that if I had trouble picking out a 2000lb car in the middle of the lane, it might be even harder to see me.

Just a quick poll on the issue.....more and more im thinking of keeping them on.

Cateye Opticube Sport. 15.00 @ lbs...may be 20.00 now. It's got blinking and steady modes. It's ALWAYS on blinking mode during daytime rides, regardless. As is my rear generic blinkie. Doesn't matter what kind of ride. Commute, century, errand. I always have AT LEAST those two lights on. I've got other lighting systems for riding at night, too.

I run a 1 watt blinkie up front in the daytime and having had folks approach me with the same light at a good distance, I know how bright they are.

I notice a huge difference in driver response when a front blinkie is used in the daytime and being that a 1 watt light is only marginal for use at night, I also run a 10 watt Nighthawk in the wee hours.

The blinkie uses 2 rechargable aa nimh batteries and runs about 100 hours before needing a recharge and the Nighthawk gets about 12 hours of runtime with 4 aa nimh rechargables.

My rear lights are MEC turtles... one is alway affixed to the back of my helmet and another is always attached to my bike and these too are highly visible lights.

Add some reflective tape and a riding jacket with more reflectors... and I can't forget my helmet
reflectors... and I am pretty well lit up.

I can't decide, so I put them on blinking mode so I am right half the time.

Al

I ride with a bright orange vest with reflectors, day and night. I don't use lights except when it's dark. If I had a better/more convenient lighting system, I would use it night and day.

I use the Dinotte taillight and daytime headlight both high-low flashing plus ANSI III windbreaker. Makes a huge difference in how motorists behave around me.

Off, because I want my batteries and bulbs to last. It saves the trouble of having to make extra charges. OTOH, if there is clearly impaired visibility, then I turn them on.

The LED's used in a blinkie are good for 50,000 + hours and 2 AAA batteries will power one for 200 + hours, whats the big deal with turning them off during the daytime?

Hi,
I always ride with my lights on: 2 Superflash on the rear and another white light one on the front. It seems that cars respect you more since they see you before and better.

Other considerations as batteries, waste and so on, are on a second place.

Be careful.

I was considering this but frankly I don't have the money for buying a ton more batteries. Once I have rechargables I might, though.

I just don't think my L2D CE or Superflash lights would make much of a difference in the daylight atm.
Maybe when I have better lights it will make me more visible.

Correct. I got 32 batteries in ebay for 58 dollars including shipping and two chargers. It is enough for my lights and my son RC toys.

Hope it is useful.

On. I have a generator hub, so why not? :)
+1. If it's good enough for Volvo and Kawasaki, it's good enough for me. ;)

It was one of the reasons I bought the hub and B&Ms in the first place - it's always on, always mounted to the bike, and I never have to take them on or off, or recharge them.

Bright clothing at all times (Alertshirts in the summer, J&G jacket with a road worker's reflective neon green vest over in the winter). I run lights front and back in anything other than full direct sunlight (from cloudy up through heavy fog and thunderstorms) - Nashbar Brilliant 2 (5 LEDs) in blink mode on the front, Superflash in blink mode on the back.

At night I run an HID up front instead, no blink.

Everything is on rechargables. I get them on eBay - I have found the cheapos from eBay to be every bit as good as name brands from the stores (energizer, etc) or the MAHAs and Powerizers and other stuff from places like Thomas Distributing or BatterySpace.

My only battery expense is topping up the charge every couple of weeks when I'm doing maintenance (chain lube, etc) anyway, and since I've been using rechargables for about 8 years, every year 4 to 8 cells die and need to be replaced, so that's about $5 to $10 a year I guess total battery outlay, but that includes everything in the house that uses batteries, from the wall clocks to remotes to flashlights to bike lights.

Blinkies front and rear, every little bit helps.
I also drive with my lights on too.

Day time: Cat Eye red LD610 on blink during the day, and a 1-watt S-Sun white LED on blink in front. On another bike, I have a red LD1000 on blink during the day and a Cat Eye white LED EL320 on blink in front.

Night time: Same except my helmet Sigma blinkers are on. And the 1-watt S-Sun becomes a steady light. While another S-Sun SS-L120 model (3-LEDs but less bright) becomes the front blinker.

During the day I don't run a headlight, but my tail light blinkie (Superflash) is on no matter what the conditions.

I don't find a daytime headlight to be an advantage in my neck of the woods. I can see how it could be in certain conditions, but we're 300 days of sunshine here and with my dayglo yellow jacket I think I'm pretty visible as it is head on.

I put the blinkie on in the daylight more just to catch attention. I think folks probably pass a million cyclists a day without a thought, but when one is blinking rapidly and brightly they snap-to. I have way more fear of being sideswiped or hit from behind than someone pulling out in front of me.

It depends on the conditions. Is it early morning? High traffic? Raining? If any of these, the answer is yes.

That about covers how I decide whether to use the lights or not.

Sunshine isn't necessarily a good time to be light-free e.g. if it's in the driver's eyes.

Sunshine isn't necessarily a good time to be light-free e.g. if it's in the driver's eyes.
If the sun is that low it barely qualifies as day light

So, I run a bike with a Cateye Flashing front light (batteries), constant Halogen (generator-hub) light, a rear Vista flashing Red light (batteries) and a constant LED (generator-hub) red rear light which has a capacitor to keep it lit for about 5 minutes.

All this boils down to: Flashers on day and night.....Constant lights used at night. Just a safety thing I guess.

-3Bikes

unless you've got a super-light, i don't see the point of running it in the daytime, unless it's foggy.

not to mention... save some batteries, save the world! those things fill up landfills perty quick...

not to mention... save some batteries, save the world! those things fill up landfills perty quick...

Landfills? Are you not running rechargables? They're damn good these days, there's hardly any reason for running alkalines anymore. Most new stuff runs fine on NiMH, and there are some new designs that have very low self-discharge. The only thing I'd not use rechargables for would be emergency flashlights and the like which need to sit in a bag for maybe years and still be ready; and for those I wouldn't use alkalines either, I'd use lithiums.

Landfills? Are you not running rechargables? They're damn good these days, there's hardly any reason for running alkalines anymore. Most new stuff runs fine on NiMH, and there are some new designs that have very low self-discharge. The only thing I'd not use rechargables for would be emergency flashlights and the like which need to sit in a bag for maybe years and still be ready; and for those I wouldn't use alkalines either, I'd use lithiums.

I use NiMH rechargeables mostly on my bike and fully throughout the house.
But put AAA lithium's in my PBSF - because they are brighter vs. the 1.2V per cell NiMH.
There are also newer NiMH that claim to no longer self discharge while sitting on the shelf as you note.

Al

Landfills? Are you not running rechargables? They're damn good these days, there's hardly any reason for running alkalines anymore. Most new stuff runs fine on NiMH, and there are some new designs that have very low self-discharge. The only thing I'd not use rechargables for would be emergency flashlights and the like which need to sit in a bag for maybe years and still be ready; and for those I wouldn't use alkalines either, I'd use lithiums.

i use a dynohub for my lighting, so no batteries are involved at all.

those rechargables will end up in the landfill, btw, guaranteed! i applaud you for using them, but they sure as hell aren't a solution to landfill issues. they'll end up there eventually!

As will your dynohub, if you're not careful (not to mention rims, spokes, rubber, etc.).

Actually, my local organic market (called, oddly enough, My Organic Market) has a recycle bin for batteries. Once I glommed onto that, I've taken to picking them up from where unthinking people have pitched them when I can.

Just sayin'. :D

i use a dynohub for my lighting, so no batteries are involved at all.

those rechargables will end up in the landfill, btw, guaranteed! i applaud you for using them, but they sure as hell aren't a solution to landfill issues. they'll end up there eventually!

Sure. Heck, I threw away FOUR WHOLE AA CELLS just last year alone. I use a AA rechargable for 4 to 6 years, charging each about once every 2 weeks, before tossing them. Plus, I don't throw them into the landfill, I take them to the recycling center, as I hope everyone here does, so they can be recycled, not landfilled.

I doubt your dynohub powers your TV remotes, portable radios, flashlights, wall clocks, etc.

I'd guess the average family throws away twice that amount per WEEK in alkalines. Our recycling center processes about 800 pounds of batteries a week, for a city of only about 50,000, and I bet < 1% of batteries gets to recycling as opposed to just tossed out. If everyone were throwing out 4 alkaline AAs a week, that recycling center would get more like 100 AA cells a week, not 10,000.

Also, I have a battery tester at work, and we have a box where people can put their batteries in for recycling. I've found that if I go and grab the box the day before they collect it and actually test the batteries, between 1/4 and 1/10 of them are actually not anywhere near dead, and I can put them in my stuff and use them until they ARE dead. I think people just pick up 4 random batteries from their junk drawer and put them in something, and if it doesn't work, they toss the whole lot. Odds are, they have one or two totally shot batteries and some good ones. I've also found that the built-in battery tester on some brands of battery sometimes don't work, leading you to believe they're dead when they aren't.

We could keep a lot of batteries out of the landfill, and people could save a hell of a lot of money, if they bought a $5 battery tester.

Last time I wired up my DIY headlights I broke the switch, so now whenever the wheel turns, the lights are on. The lights stop, however, when the bike stops.