Originally Posted by
markwebb
Even when I am driving, it's almost impossible to see a cyclist on side of road or in bike lane at night even when they have lights. I don't think lights for bikes really do much - it's too hard to pick out a bike from just reflections and such. It's a LOT more dangerous at 4:30 am riding than at 9am or 7pm. And it only takes ONE mistake by a driver that's a little tired or doesn't really see you. Your risk are greater at night period. No reason to disturb the Bike Gods. When it's dark, stay off the bike. Period.
I'll respectfully disagree with you on this one Mark. If you're doing the whole night riding thing right, you can and will be seen. I have reflective stickers on the back of my shoes and front and back of my helmet, wear reflective ankle and wrist bands, a reflective vest and have tail and headlights on the bike. I've let George ride ahead of me when we're commuting home to see what the cars see when he's riding and there is NO MISSING US.
I just commuted home and the first thing that I told George was that I was blessed with the most courteous drivers tonight. I had car after car wait for me to go through intersections instead of turning right in front of me, flash their lights at me to let me know I could get over (across a dedicated lane that veers right) to go straight and I even had two people thank me at the last intersection for stopping in a place where they could make their right turn. Okay, I got off topic, I just had a good experience with motorists on my commute home...who obviously had no problem seeing me.
Anyway...between having driven behind George for 11 hours of darkness recently and seeing him in front of me on the bike when we are commuting, I'm confident that we are both seen when we ride in the dark.