Originally Posted by
Steve B.
Stealth commuters.
We have a very large immigrant population in my neck of the woods, hard working people, many have to be at work very early, so they are often riding when it's dark out, many bike commute as cars are expensive to purchase and insure. Typically cycling with no lights, usually dark clothing, only occasionally a safety vest, they ride everywhere - sidewalks, wrong way in traffic, back and forth. No real skills or thought as to riding safely. They also get hit and killed on a steady basis. Sad, an effort could and should be made by local governments to get these guys things like safety lights, visible clothing, and some basic education on riding safely.
I used to volunteer at a bike Co op, and we had a lights and helmets program funded by the local hospital. After a while i concluded giving bike lights to someone who couldn't afford them was not effective. They generally had much bigger problems; dealing with batteries, charging, and theft was not something they needed to add to their already stressed lives. They faced much bigger threats than being hit by a car.