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Saw three cyclists on my way home tonight...none of them had lights

Old 11-08-07, 12:40 AM
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Originally Posted by ghettocruiser
Cyclists I see on the roads are mostly lit like other road users.

Cyclists I see on the sidewalk are mostly unlit like other sidewalk users.
Hi ghettocruiser, I find that up here in Toronto bikes are taken pretty seriously (as in 'not' toys).

Police will tell you that you're a vehicle and have to have front & rear lights. They're even pretty adament on having a bell or horn (it's the law just like a car). We also have bicycle cops, I've actually seen them pull cars over for various violiations. Pretty cool huh.. ? Nobody screws with them and they are also a damn sight more approachable than some fat dude in a police cruiser..

That being said, I have seen people riding without lights & reflectors fairly often, especially as the gas prices start to climb (along with insurance rates). I feel sorry for them and/or the drivers that are probably going to hit them. I assume it'll take getting hit or a close call before they learn to light up. Some I've seen are also dressed in some of the darkest clothing i've ever seen. It's as if they don't want to be visible..Talk about a good way to commit suicide..



Cheers!
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Old 11-08-07, 04:57 AM
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Originally Posted by gosmsgo
Around here the police department will not pull over a bicyclists for anything.

You could be riding down the wrong side of the road without lights and they would just roll right by.
That appears to be a problem only for smarty pants "bicyclists" who endlessly whine on BF about how their life is endangered/psyche upset by the presence of the "other" cyclists. "Bike Riders" who are nothing but lowlife in need of an education from the Real Bicyclists.
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Old 11-08-07, 05:09 AM
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ILTB - am I to understand that you'd be quite happy for cyclists to be on the wrong side of the road without lights? I can't see how that's elitism or excessive political correctness......
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Old 11-08-07, 05:33 AM
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not only is it dangerous, often it is illegal.
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Old 11-08-07, 07:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Sammyboy
ILTB - am I to understand that you'd be quite happy for cyclists to be on the wrong side of the road without lights? I can't see how that's elitism or excessive political correctness......
I'd be quite happy to never see another post from a self proclaimed Real/True/Serious/Competent/Smarter Cyclist whining about how the risk to themselves from "incorrect" cyclists is significent, and of the same magnitude or even greater than that of motorized traffic. "Correct" of course being defined by the I]Real/True/Serious//Competent/Smarter [/I]Cyclists as the behavior, technique and laws to which they happen to comply with on a chosen day.

I'd equally be glad to never see another post about how motorists and/or the general public's opinion of cycling would be raised if only these "incorrect" cyclists could be brought into line.

And most of all I'd like to see no more posts from Real/True/Serious//Competent/Smarter Cyclists proselytizing for "educating" the "other" cyclists with an education/training program (with illusionary benefits for the student) that they just happen to be promoting.

Last edited by I-Like-To-Bike; 11-08-07 at 08:00 AM.
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Old 11-08-07, 08:04 AM
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Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
I'd be quite happy to never see another post from a self proclaimed Real/True/Serious/Competent/Smarter Cyclist whining about how the risk to themselves from "incorrect" cyclists is significent, and of the same magnitude or even greater than that of motorized traffic. "Correct" of course being defined by the I]Real/True/Serious//Competent/Smarter [/I]Cyclists as the behavior, technique and laws to which they happen to comply with on a chosen day.

I'd equally be glad to never see another post about how motorists and/or the general public's opinion of cycling would be raised if only these "incorrect" cyclists could be brought into line.

And most of all I'd like to see no more posts from Real/True/Serious//Competent/Smarter Cyclists proselytizing for "educating" the "other" cyclists with an education/training program (with illusionary benefits for the student) that they just happen to be promoting.
No one forces you to read them.
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Old 11-08-07, 08:24 AM
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Originally Posted by nick burns
No one forces you to read them.
Is your point that because some smug cyclists incessantly whine on the commuter list about all the other lowlife incompetent cyclists they encounter, therefore it is, or should be, the consensus of all Real Cyclists?
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Old 11-08-07, 08:46 AM
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Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
Is your point that because some smug cyclists incessantly whine on the commuter list about all the other lowlife incompetent cyclists they encounter, therefore it is, or should be, the consensus of all Real Cyclists?
Ignore those types of posts if they bother you.
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Old 11-08-07, 09:11 AM
  #59  
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Originally Posted by AGGRO
Because the live in a canyon, that's id one in San Diego.
OK, I'll take your word for it. I didn't notice your sig before, and I guess that explains a lot.
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Old 11-08-07, 09:18 AM
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Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
I'd be quite happy to never see another post from a self proclaimed Real/True/Serious/Competent/Smarter Cyclist whining about how the risk to themselves from "incorrect" cyclists is significent, and of the same magnitude or even greater than that of motorized traffic. "Correct" of course being defined by the I]Real/True/Serious//Competent/Smarter [/I]Cyclists as the behavior, technique and laws to which they happen to comply with on a chosen day.

I'd equally be glad to never see another post about how motorists and/or the general public's opinion of cycling would be raised if only these "incorrect" cyclists could be brought into line.

And most of all I'd like to see no more posts from Real/True/Serious//Competent/Smarter Cyclists proselytizing for "educating" the "other" cyclists with an education/training program (with illusionary benefits for the student) that they just happen to be promoting.
We can't help it if we're better than you. Maybe it's YOU who should change.

Geez, I don't think I've ever read a post by you that isn't confrontational. Do you actually have an opinion on this topic or are you just going to continue to thread crap?
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Old 11-08-07, 09:26 AM
  #61  
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I hate to say it but when I see this, and I see it a lot, I feel like giving the ignorant cyclist a little tap with the car. Not enough to do any real damage, just enough to put them on their ass and screw them and their bike up a little bit. Then jump out of my car with the bike roof racks all over it and say....Gee, I'm sorry. I didn't see you, you have no freaking lights at all. You're breaking the law. Let's call the cops so I can get you to pay for the scratch in my front bumper.

Of course, my luck they really would get hurt. I would let on by accident that I did it on purpose to teach them a lesson. The next thing I know I'm picking out a boy friend in jail since I have no upper body at all to protect myself.
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Old 11-08-07, 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by JohnBrooking
Cyclists' rechargeable headlight battery has gone dead. (Me last night! )
I designed and built a hybrid power system for my touring bike. I never worry about my batteries going dead. A USB port allows recharging a Cell phone or a GPS unit as well, with the LED lights turned off of course. Here is the circuit.

How it works:
Dynamo provides unregulated AC voltage dependent on rotational speed and load at 500mA of current. Diodes and capacitor convert AC to DC voltage and current. Batteries regulate voltage as the batteries impose a high impedance load on the dynamo preventing voltage exceeding the batteries rated voltage. They regulate current by absorbing excess current as recharging current not used by any devices connected to them. Batteries provide "clean" power for the LED lights or devices connected to the USB port. Care must be taken not to overcharge the batteries! Just disengage the dynamo when batteries are fully charged. Batteries can be rapid recharged when LED lights are turned off and no devices are connected to the USB port. My touring bike is "green" I never plug in the batteries to recharge them!
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Old 11-08-07, 09:34 AM
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Ah lights, the new helmets....
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Old 11-08-07, 09:35 AM
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i hope that's sarcasm, rick.
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Old 11-08-07, 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by gosmsgo
What are you even doing on a bike forum?

Its obvious that you are not exactly a true believer in cycling. I do not like automobiles and yet I do not hang around on www.ILOVECARS.com

Originally Posted by gosmsgo
most cyclists are idiots.

Is there more than one person using this account?
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Old 11-08-07, 10:37 AM
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Originally Posted by SDRider
Do you actually have an opinion on this topic or are you just going to continue to thread crap?
Aren't you the joker who started this rant about those lowlife "other" cyclists? My opinion? MYODB when it comes to the failure of other cyclists to meet your standards.
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Old 11-08-07, 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by rschulze
I hate to say it but when I see this, and I see it a lot, I feel like giving the ignorant cyclist a little tap with the car.
Obviously, you don't hate to say it, especially in a forum with other likeminded Real Cyclists.
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Old 11-08-07, 10:41 AM
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Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
Aren't you the joker who started this rant about those lowlife "other" cyclists? My opinion? MYODB when it comes to the failure of other cyclists to meet your standards.
Oh I'm sorry...I thought this was a cycling forum where we were all free to discuss things relating to cycling.

I don't recall making a thread where I referred to any other cyclists as lowlifes. I do like to joke around though.

Lighten up.
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Old 11-08-07, 10:44 AM
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Originally Posted by ghettocruiser
Is there more than one person using this account?
Nope just an ideologue obsessed with teaching/converting those who haven't been blessed with the same bicycling education epiphany as himself.
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Old 11-08-07, 10:48 AM
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Originally Posted by SDRider
Oh I'm sorry...I thought this was a cycling forum where we were all free to discuss things relating to cycling.

I don't recall making a thread where I referred to any other cyclists as lowlifes. I do like to joke around though.

Lighten up.
Yeah, let's tell some more jokes about tapping those "other cyclists" with our cars to teach 'em a lesson. That'll learn 'em, almost as well as whining about 'em on BF. It's especially funny when a bike rack is on top of the Real Cyclist Jokester's car.
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Old 11-08-07, 10:50 AM
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Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
Yeah, let's tell some more jokes about tapping those "other cyclists" with our cars to teach 'em a lesson. That'll learn 'em, almost as well as whining about 'em on BF. It's especially funny when a bike rack is on top of the Real Cyclist Jokester's car.
I would never joke around about tapping a cyclist with a car. Clearly you don't know me at all.
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Old 11-08-07, 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by SDRider:
Do you actually have an opinion on this topic or are you just going to continue to thread crap?

Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
Aren't you the joker who started this rant about those lowlife "other" cyclists? My opinion? MYODB when it comes to the failure of other cyclists to meet your standards.
ILTB has chosen option #2, in multiple senses of the word, SDRider.
 
Old 11-08-07, 10:56 AM
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Originally Posted by SDRider
I would never joke around about tapping a cyclist with a car. Clearly you don't know me at all.
Rants that are all about the dumb cyclists endangering the public welfare are grist for numbskulls, some of whom are obviously proud to boast about such notions for cleansing the cyclist population.
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Old 11-08-07, 11:01 AM
  #74  
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Originally Posted by SDRider
All of them were on mountain bikes-one guy was crossing a 4 lane road (not at an intersection either) on a full suspension bike he was riding on the sidewalk until he decided to cross. Do these people just not care about being seen by cars? This was around dusk BTW so lights were definitely needed.
Stuff like this happens so often in my area that it's almost amusing. I've taken to awarding points to these fellows. One point for riding without lights, one point for riding the wrong way, etc. It's a rare day I don't see a three-pointer, and I've sometimes spotted multiple four pointers. I'm awaiting the day I see my first five point cyclist.

I suppose I should award prizes. First place is a day's worth of I-Like-To-Bike's Bike Forums posts. Second place is two day's worth. :-)
 
Old 11-08-07, 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
I'd be quite happy to never see another post from a self proclaimed Real/True/Serious/Competent/Smarter Cyclist whining about how the risk to themselves from "incorrect" cyclists is significent, and of the same magnitude or even greater than that of motorized traffic. "Correct" of course being defined by the I]Real/True/Serious//Competent/Smarter [/I]Cyclists as the behavior, technique and laws to which they happen to comply with on a chosen day.

I'd equally be glad to never see another post about how motorists and/or the general public's opinion of cycling would be raised if only these "incorrect" cyclists could be brought into line.

And most of all I'd like to see no more posts from Real/True/Serious//Competent/Smarter Cyclists proselytizing for "educating" the "other" cyclists with an education/training program (with illusionary benefits for the student) that they just happen to be promoting.
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