Touring - Bicycle Tourist

Another bicycle tourist is killed by drunk driver.

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jun/23/chula-vista-biker-dies-illinois-crash/?metro&zIndex=121098

He was on U.S. Route 50 about 60 miles east of St Louis just before 1 a.m. when he was struck from behind...

It is always tragic when a bike tourist is killed for doing little more than riding a bike on the side of the road. That said, I would never be riding a bike on the highway at 1am in the morning; lights or no lights.

Ray

Unquestionably a tragedy. Risks are minimized only when riding defensively. But when drivers are drunk there's very little one can do.

Someone told me once, a long time ago. Drunks, tend to follow tail lights. This may be why, bicyclists get hit from behind.

The whole point of touring is seeing stuff in my opinion. What the heck do you see at 1 AM? It's tragic and my heart goes out to all those effected.

This whole thing sucks.

It is always tragic when a bike tourist is killed for doing little more than riding a bike on the side of the road. That said, I would never be riding a bike on the highway at 1am in the morning; lights or no lights.

Ray


Good point.

I didn't notice he was riding at 1:00 in the morning! Holy Cow!

Bicycle touring or any form of bicycling ends at sundown. Very dangerous indeed.

The whole point of touring is seeing stuff in my opinion. What the heck do you see at 1 AM? It's tragic and my heart goes out to all those effected.

This whole thing sucks.

I have ridden often at night, I also use a mirror along with a reflective vest.

Less traffic, cooler, longer ride than planned, Spending time in the city (in the day), and maybe they already did the route.
Yes 1 am drunks galore.

Good point.

I didn't notice he was riding at 1:00 in the morning! Holy Cow!

Bicycle touring or any form of bicycling ends at sundown. Very dangerous indeed.

Any form of bicycling ending at sundown? That doesn't make for a bicycle being a very practical form of transportation does it? Cycling at night is quite safe with proper lighting. There is less traffic on the roads then and easy to spot people coming by headlights in your rearview mirror. However drunk (ie unpredictable) drivers are dangerous on the road at any time...

That said, while bike touring its nice to end early and set up camp before dark. But there are also unexpected circumstances that could make one have to do night riding which you should be prepared for lighting wise. Such as once due to a very intolerable campsite my touring partner and I packed up and left the campsite in the dark. Also not making it to your targetted place on time and not finding a suitable spot to stealth camp/find lodgings etc.

Any form of bicycling ending at sundown? That doesn't make for a bicycle being a very practical form of transportation does it?

Correct.

The bicycle is far more practical during the day, at night it's a different story. There's a reason you don't see many cyclists or motorcyclist at night and that's due to the fact the motorist don't see them. They have a hard time seeing them during the day but at night, you're taking chances unless it's absolutely necessary.

Any form of bicycling ending at sundown? That doesn't make for a bicycle being a very practical form of transportation does it? Cycling at night is quite safe with proper lighting. There is less traffic on the roads then and easy to spot people coming by headlights in your rearview mirror. However drunk (ie unpredictable) drivers are dangerous on the road at any time...

That said, while bike touring its nice to end early and set up camp before dark. But there are also unexpected circumstances that could make one have to do night riding which you should be prepared for lighting wise. Such as once due to a very intolerable campsite my touring partner and I packed up and left the campsite in the dark. Also not making it to your targetted place on time and not finding a suitable spot to stealth camp/find lodgings etc.

Hi,

I only tour a few km in the dark.
- to get to next city
- to go to start point of a hiking trail (Mt. Moses, Adam Peak) so see the sunrise from the top
- to go home

once I wanted to cycle to my parents (230 km) at night. At 12 am I gave up. Drunk or too fast drivers on the minor roads (specially on a Friday evening). This was the first time I didn't felt safe on the bike and I gave up.

On Tour I want to see something - so the tour goes normally from sunrise to sunset.

Thomas