Commuter Killed with Strobe Light
 

I just noticed a post below that got a lot of attention concerning the strobe light. I think it's a good idea and started searching on the web for "bike strobe light". What I found were mostly strobe lights for cars and this very sad story. It appears that a bike commuter was killed even though he was using a strobe light. It just goes to show you that no light or reflector can save you from a careless driver.

driver.http://members.aol.com/CASInc/charlie.html

I've thought about this many times in the past. The truth of the matter is, if someone intentionally decides to take you out (and this goes for general life as well as cycling) they will. While I don't go out riding expecting to be killed everytime I go out, I'm sure the people working in the WTC on Sept 11 expected to come home as well.

We're all gonna die sooner or later anyway (I expect skin cancer to be what eventually gets me), and as far as I am concerned, if one can't do the things that they want to do, it might as well be sooner.

My point? Basically take all the precautions that can reduce your risks by all means, but don't let risks stop you from living your life.

TRUE. I always said that when it's my turn to go. There isn't anything I'm going to be able to do to stop it. What gets me is the fact that robber then took advantage and stole whatever he had left from his family. Unbelievable.

Not necessarily. If they want (intentionally) to take me out, they better do it right the first time or they'll be in for a "scrappin" they won't soon forget. :)

That's a good point Chris.

This is going to sound cliche, but there is meaning in the saying, "Live each day as if it was your last." I try to live my life to it's fullest, and when it's my time, I can only hope that I managed to achieve everything I was capable of in the time I had.


Ugh. This is depressing. I need to go ride.

God Bless.

All this information and I still don't know how this guy was killed with a strobe light.

Sad story.

I'd say it was more than likely a case of murder.

We seem to hear all that sort of stuff from the gun lobby in this country all the time. One is taking a lot for granted if they assume they'll get the chance to shoot back.

One is taking a pessimistic view if they assume they will not.

Most living beings will fight for life in the end. I refuse to take a view that things are meant to be because someone else means it to be so.

As far as gun ownership goes.....nah, I won't go into that. :)

Maybe it was like that Pokemon episode that was supposed to have given all those kids seizures...

"Maybe it was like that Pokemon episode that was supposed to have given all those kids seizures..."

Alright.. I should have said Bike rider killed by motorist even though he was using a strobe light. But this would not have fit so I used something simpler. It still doesn't take away from the original message.

I think the strobes are great for being seen. One thing that worries me is, I know if you are in a car at night, they actualy suggest you don't turn on your blinkers at times. Since to someone who is drunk and driving it actualy appears to them that your car is moving. Could this cause any problems on a bike? Maybe I am just over thinking it.. I don't know..

Personally, I think that suggestion is a load of bollocks. What about the person who is not drunk but who wants to know what your intentions are?

Basically, do whatever you need to in order to be seen at night. The percentage of people who will think you are going somewhere that you are not is small enough to be insignificant by comparison with the number of people who will be glad they can see you.

I commute on a mountain bike so I won't have to ride in the street during the first couple of miles after I leave work. I stay in the grass and dirt during that time. I worry more about drivers using cell phones, tuning radios, fixing make-up, and otherwise not watching where they're going, than I do drivers intentionally trying to hit me.

You never really know when something like what happened to Charles Anderson is going to happen to you. You just can't control it. I'm sure Charles thought he could but a car going 50 mph can kill you in an instant. It can happen in the blink of an eye. I emailed his sister asking if they ever found out who killed him or the robbers who broke into his home and stole everthing. Here is her responce.

"No, then never found out who killed my brother
nor who broke into his place and stole all his stuff.

Thanks for your concern,

Charlene"


It's just pain sad. You an I could be next.

The San Diego cycling community lost a respected "elder statesman" this year to a careless motorist who drifted across a wide travel lane into a wide bike lane. The only way to reduce the carnage is to enhance public education and to hold motorists accountable for their actions.