I'd say the big problem is actually that the pedestrians, along with ninja cyclists, are trying to make do with no lights, or very weak ones, in a completely dark environment. As a result, any decent bike headlight (and yes, I'm including the fancy-pants cutoff-equipped ones) will trash their night-adapted vision. It's like someone driving their car with their parking lights only, or no headlights at all, then getting upset because someone's low-beams are making it difficult to get away with. "Doctor, it hurts when I do this..."

I'm with you on that one. Being caged in a cramped space with iPod zombies, dog walkers, ninjas and slowpokes is not my idea of fun either. Give me a nice city arterial any day.