Originally Posted by
San Pedro
So, after a few close calls on my way home this week, I think I need a new light, or just to add another. The close calls have all been from people pulling out in front of me. One close call probably would have killed me, another I had to pass a postman on his motorcycle on the outside of the lane (a nice rolling stop with hardly a glance at the road). This leads me to believe I'm not visible enough, and should really announce my presence with a brighter light, or it's just too hard for motorists to gauge the speed of someone on a road bike at night (usually expecting people going 10mph on typical Japanese bike).
Right now I have a Cateye HL-EL340, which served me well for three years on better lit roads (my current route has me one some roads with minimal lighting), and I like that it uses AA batteries that I have rechargeables for. I use it on flashing setting, but may try the bright constant beam tonight.
Do you have some inexpensive lights to suggest to me that would help me better noticed? Should I just add another light on the front of the bike? Maybe a head lamp? Thanks for any help/advice you can give me.
That light is bright enough. Brighter light won't help with the problems of drivers pulling out in front of you. I've tried 2 lights, one really bright, one regular cateye. Doesn't help. Even on the motorcycle that has 2 big front lights, people pull in in front of you.
This is the reason it happens:
So bicycle is both less visible and when seen, it is not consciously noticed, same as motorcycles in the video.
My tip would be - the light you have is pretty good and there's no need to waste money on stronger lights - they won't help.