Eggplant Jeff

I know not all commuters are out there buying $500 headlights and whatnot.

I was just digging through my basement and I found two Trek 3-led taillights I had in college. They still work (well, ok I only tested one) but they aren't as nice as the ones I use now so I'm not going to use 'em.

OK Someone PM'd me so they're taken .

I-Like-To-Bike

Someone can't afford a $5 taillight but has time for BS'ing on this Forum. Puhleeeze.
My recommendation: Give the lights to Goodwill or the Salvation Army

Robbykills

What about someone who's looking into getting in to commuting, came here for advice and inspiration but they can't afford lights? It happens.

lyledriver

I think you should keep them with you on your next dusk ride..
Then offer them to whoever you see (or DON'T see) who doesn't have any lighting.

I-Like-To-Bike

"Stuff" happens, true. But who commutes to what, and can't afford $5 to enable the transportation mode? College? How does that person pay for pencils? If someone is that penniless how is he/she going to pay for batteries, which cannot be mailed? The benefactor's postage cost is probably more than the value of the light. He'd be better off mailing cash to the pauper.

ponchotempest

Id tend to agree, if you want to give 'em away, hand 'em out to some poor homeless guy you pass rollin around at night.

CBBaron

I see it as pratical. Sure it is nice to offer up some free lights but it would be more effective to mail a $5 bill to the person and have them go down to the local walmart or LBS and pick up a cheap LED blinky. The new light will use fewer batteries and it would probably cost >$5 to ship the old lights. I don't think his/her comment derserves being called the "bitterest, meanest person".
I think a light that old has probably outlived is usefulness, still put some fresh batteries in it and hand it out the the next person you see riding a beater after dark. That is probably someone who can't afford a new light and would benefit from it.
Craig

peregrine

Well, first off, Jeff, I think that's very nice of you to offer

I doubt the shipping cost would be >$5 because I doubt anyone from somewhere other than the States would PM Jeff. Also I can see how someone who's relying on their bike for primary means of transportation is more likely to get lights/other parts stolen from their bike and getting new ones might be an issue.

Carrying those lights with you and handing them off to someone riding without lights might be helpful. I see too many of these people out at night and the low cost of blinkies that some members have mentioned already makes me wonder why are there so many people riding around without them.

RonH

Jeff is just offering something free to anyone who may need or want it.
Why are you making such a big deal out of it?
I see many people who commute to college or work who think they're visible at night. Fact is they need a better blinkie, or in some cases, just a blinkie.

I like the idea of offering it to someone with no lights, homeless or not.

rykoala

What a bunch of complainers!!! If you guys don't need it, click the little X in the upper left hand corner of your window and move on. SHEESH!

buzzman

that's a good idea and saves on postage.

Wheels4

+1 good on ya Jeff.

Caspar_s

I saw some blinkies in the dollar store... $1 but they didn't have any batteries. (so $2 for some working ones...)

Emerson

I don't need a blinkie,.... but I could use a set of Paul neo-retro cantis for my new Surly if you had a set lying around

I'll even pay for the postage.

I think it's a nice idea to offer some gear to folks who may not be able to afford it. I agree that handing them to folks who are riding without them is a great idea. I am absolutely amazed seeing folks riding late at night on dark streets with no light whatsoever. It seems like a such a no-brainer--ride in the dark, have some kind of light.

GTcommuter

+1

bbonnn

That was my thought too. It scares me to death when I see people biking in the dark with no lights. I guess they just figure that a car with headlights will be able to see them, or that the reflectors on the bo\ike will do the job. If you don't drive very often, you kind of lose sight of how invisible everything is that isn't another car or road sign. Bikers & peds can see other bikers & peds, so therefore, cars can too, right? Erp.

I've even thought about carrying spare AA batteries on me, for when I see bikers with dimming lights. It's kind of a nosy thing to do, I guess, but I'd hate to think of that person getting hit because I was too lazy or shy to say something about their lack of visibility. And hey -- free batteries, who could resist?

I-Like-To-Bike

Me making a big deal? You mean like making a project of finding someone who would be using a $5 light, butis too poor to afford it, AND has the computer access and willingness to request shipment of same? to be accomplished by spending a couple more bucks to give away the light?

Jeff's intent is no doubt good, just not practical in his suggested method. I, and others suggested more practical means of actually accomplishing his altruistic goal. The pious chest thumping by those who point at others while simultaneously polishing their own halo seem to have a problem with practical solutions. (i.e. see, if you can find, the mysterious posting by Roody).

I-Like-To-Bike

I double doubt that someone who would actually PM Jeff requesting a free $5 light will actually be anyone who can't afford it.

Eggplant Jeff

And yet you think someone will PM me and lie that they can't afford a $5 light just to get a free one?

There are plenty of broke people in college saving their dimes for ramen noodles who still have access to a computer (computer labs, libraries, etc) and still surf the web.

Thank you for your critical analysis of my OP, but A) I rarely see any other bikes and don't particularly feel like chasing someone down just to hand them a light, which they may not care to use anyway and B) I've already gotten a PM so it's now moot.

bigskymacadam

(sits waiting for antagonistic post of contempt from "like-to-bike")

good job jeff.

I-Like-To-Bike

Yes. But don't let that stop you from patting yourself on the back.

rat_factory

don't worry Mr. Eggplant, you offer is generous and maybe someone living nearby can use em just fine. or maybe you could give them to a kid riding a sprawl-mart Magna.

slvoid

I gave mine to a coworker.

max-a-mill

to anyone who can't afford a blinkie...

https://www.szwholesale.com/advanced_...ywords=bicycle

https://www.qualitychinagoods.com/10x...lor-p-279.html

now you have no excuses not to light up like a christmas tree.

I-Like-To-Bike

If an impoverished bicyclist in need of a lighting can't afford an outlay of $5. How is this a deal maker:

"For order whose value is under 200USD, it's samples rather than wholesale, thus 50% is charged as handling fee and will be shipped via airmail. The minimum handling is 10USD."

Maybe one of our saintly comrade do-gooders intends to buy a car load and distribute them to his pen pals.