I had switched on all my lights, the NiteRider on the bars and the generic Cree XML T6 spot on the helmet. This really helped. When I'm coming up behind a car that is slowing or edging over, whose driver might just be thinking about pulling into that driveway or side street, I put the spot right into his rear window, the whole cabin lights up and his rear view mirror is suddenly blinding bright. I'm fairly sure it helps me get noticed. Same if I'm approaching an intersection and a car is creeping out into my path, the driver's face gets lit up and the car lurches to a stop.
Same here! I absolutely love pinning drivers down with my beam! Before entering any intersection (even in low trafficked neighborhoods) I always do the following. Blue is me, red is my line of site AND a wall of super intense flashing light from a Cygolite mounted on the helmet.See pic.
On the rear I had double red blinkies, which felt just a little inadequate in that sea of red lights. I think I will investigate amber blinkies and more reflective tape. Some riders with panniers put big patches of reflective tape on the back side of the bags, and they stand out like glowing warning squares. Seems like a good thing.
Good idea with the reflective tape on the bags! It works very well and I feel safer having it in addition to rear lights.
And then there are the (deleted) bike ninjas. The riders with no lights at all, invisible ghosts who appear from nowhere in their fashionably dark clothing. I hate them, almost ran into, or was run into by, two of those prick heads tonight. I wish the police would ticket them just like they'd ticket a car driving at night with no lights.
There is NO excuse not to have a light.
I'm sick of those bike ninjas. There are so many in Portland. F**** losers.