Reflectors do work
08-07-16, 01:57 AM
#76
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Agreed that the legal standard is pretty meaningless. Experiments with candle flames have shown them to be visible at distances of over a mile and some theoretical calculations indicate a maximum distance of up to 30 miles for visibility under ideal conditions. But a light with such meager output would be useless in making yourself visible in a traffic setting. Specifying the actual minimum light output would be a more meaningful standard.
08-07-16, 02:09 AM
#77
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If you have good powerful lights front and rear, there is not need for reflectors...other than as the legal requirement that is part of the (somewhat outdated) Uniform Vehicle Code. I guarantee that someone approaching me from the front or rear with these lights
isn't going to see a reflector.
Perhaps some of us don't remove the reflectors due to fashion but remove them because we realized that they are ineffective band-aids that are stuck on bikes for those people who can't figure out that active lighting is far better than depending on the light from some vehicle to light them up.
Milton Keynes may have seen someone's wheel reflectors at night but would he have missed the lights like my pictures above? Reflectors are okay for a last ditch, emergency back up but carry multiple active light sources and not depending on reflectors is far better.
isn't going to see a reflector.
Perhaps some of us don't remove the reflectors due to fashion but remove them because we realized that they are ineffective band-aids that are stuck on bikes for those people who can't figure out that active lighting is far better than depending on the light from some vehicle to light them up.
Milton Keynes may have seen someone's wheel reflectors at night but would he have missed the lights like my pictures above? Reflectors are okay for a last ditch, emergency back up but carry multiple active light sources and not depending on reflectors is far better.
1) What standard do you adhere to in this application?
2) Human eyes do not function in the same capacity as camera optical sensors...if anything the mind recalling a still image is most comparable to a camera. Another cyccommute biology fail
3) You close with a question that no one can answer as if you were Buddha, except much less philosophical. Or relevant (seeing as how the Buddha is not particularly relevant in the west to begin with..)
4) You still have yet to quote a primary source as to why reflectors are "ineffective", instead giving only unsubstantiated opinion.
Without any evidence to support your view I'm afraid you're just, at the most, opinionated.
08-07-16, 05:47 AM
#78
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cyccommute clearly didn't understand the title of the OP and/or just can't help himself.
'Reflectors do work'
not
'Reflectors do work better than _ _ _ _ _'
Reflectors and dork discs are a very sensitive subject to cycling fashionistas though so it should be excused.
Almost as sensitive and critical a subject as matching bar tape to water bottles and wheel graphics lol.
'Reflectors do work'
not
'Reflectors do work better than _ _ _ _ _'
Reflectors and dork discs are a very sensitive subject to cycling fashionistas though so it should be excused.
Almost as sensitive and critical a subject as matching bar tape to water bottles and wheel graphics lol.
08-07-16, 08:16 AM
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08-19-16, 08:24 AM
#80
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What is odd about the report is that they reached this conclusion
The parallel path crash simulation showed that the flashing red LED taillight used in the evaluation could significantly improve a driver's detection distance over the CPSC regulationr eflectors. Recognition distance was not improved with this or any of the treatments tested. CPSC staff believes that this type of lighting has potential to improve nighttime bicycle safety. Currently, rear LED lights are available in a variety of styles. Additional research is required to determine minimum requirements for rear lighting.
The crossing path crash simulation results showed that none of the reflector or light treatments tested improved detection or recognition. All treatments were detected and recognized at less than 200 feet. The results of this portion of the study demonstrate the difficulties for effective countermeasure for a crossing path collision. Even the large area reflective sheeting target with good angularity characteristics did not perform well. Limitations of a driver's peripheral vision, limited headlight beam spread and background visual noise are known factors that contribute to decreasing detection and recognition distance. CPSC staff believes a bicycle side treatment with significantly increased signal strength may be necessary to improve detection distances under these conditions
The crossing path crash simulation results showed that none of the reflector or light treatments tested improved detection or recognition. All treatments were detected and recognized at less than 200 feet. The results of this portion of the study demonstrate the difficulties for effective countermeasure for a crossing path collision. Even the large area reflective sheeting target with good angularity characteristics did not perform well. Limitations of a driver's peripheral vision, limited headlight beam spread and background visual noise are known factors that contribute to decreasing detection and recognition distance. CPSC staff believes a bicycle side treatment with significantly increased signal strength may be necessary to improve detection distances under these conditions
Based on the above findings, the CPSC staff did not recommend amending the existing reflector requirements in 16 CFR Part 1512.16.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
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