Directing drivers with light on the ground
12-04-10 | 09:03 PM
#1
Thread Starter
all-weather commuter
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 315
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From: Rochester, NY
Directing drivers with light on the ground
I have started attaching a taillight to my handlebar pointed down and to the left to make a red dot on the road about 3 or 4 feet to my left, hoping that drivers would try to not drive over the dot.
After four nighttime commutes like this, not one car has driven over the dot. I am not sure if drivers actually stay farther away because of the light, or if I just thought they were closer than they were because I did not have a frame of reference. Four days is probably not long enough for a statistically valid sample, but I will keep tracking.
Has anybody else tried this, and what have your results been?
After four nighttime commutes like this, not one car has driven over the dot. I am not sure if drivers actually stay farther away because of the light, or if I just thought they were closer than they were because I did not have a frame of reference. Four days is probably not long enough for a statistically valid sample, but I will keep tracking.
Has anybody else tried this, and what have your results been?
12-04-10 | 09:08 PM
#2
rebmeM roineS
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,231
Likes: 366
From: Metro Indy, IN
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
A red light on the front of the bike sounds questionable. Why not try that with a white light?
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Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
12-05-10 | 07:26 AM
#4
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all-weather commuter
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Rochester, NY
The light is mounted to the end of the drop bars. The light does not shine forward, only sideways. I figure a red dot on the ground would be noticed more than a white dot, as white would blend in with the headlights from my bicycle and all the other vehicles.
12-05-10 | 10:49 AM
#7
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From: On the road-USA
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
I can see how it might work, so does carrying a sharp pointed object sticking out from the side of the bike. But I think the light might work better.
Aaron
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
12-05-10 | 12:21 PM
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 1
Users of the Low Down Glo
https://rockthebike.com/lights/downlowglow
Have reported similar responses from cars. I think it might have something to do with the different lighting making the drivers pay attention. "WTF is that?" sort of response. Most times car drivers just don't actually register bikers as people, in their mind they are just an object to be moved around, and so they don't give us enough room.
https://rockthebike.com/lights/downlowglow
Have reported similar responses from cars. I think it might have something to do with the different lighting making the drivers pay attention. "WTF is that?" sort of response. Most times car drivers just don't actually register bikers as people, in their mind they are just an object to be moved around, and so they don't give us enough room.
12-05-10 | 12:51 PM
#9
xtrajack
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Maine
Bikes: Kona fire mountain/xtracycle,Univega landrover fs,Nishiki custom sport Ross professional super gran tour Schwinn Mesa (future Xtracycle donor bike)
+1 on the Down Low Glow.
I have used one for almost a year now, (I just fried my battery) I felt that drivers gave me more room when passing, while I was using it.
I have replaced it with a couple of Bike Brightz lights, I am going to get another Bike Brightz so that I will have a similar amount of light as the DLG provided.
I have used one for almost a year now, (I just fried my battery) I felt that drivers gave me more room when passing, while I was using it.
I have replaced it with a couple of Bike Brightz lights, I am going to get another Bike Brightz so that I will have a similar amount of light as the DLG provided.
12-05-10 | 01:04 PM
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 1
+1 on the Down Low Glow.
I have used one for almost a year now, (I just fried my battery) I felt that drivers gave me more room when passing, while I was using it.
I have replaced it with a couple of Bike Brightz lights, I am going to get another Bike Brightz so that I will have a similar amount of light as the DLG provided.
I have used one for almost a year now, (I just fried my battery) I felt that drivers gave me more room when passing, while I was using it.
I have replaced it with a couple of Bike Brightz lights, I am going to get another Bike Brightz so that I will have a similar amount of light as the DLG provided.
12-05-10 | 04:53 PM
#11
Tawp Dawg
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 0
From: Anchorage, AK
Bikes: '06 Surly Pugsley, '14 Surly Straggler, '88 Kuwahara Xtracycle, '10 Motobecane Outcast 29er, '?? Surly Cross Check (wife's), '00 Trek 4500 (wife's), '12 Windsor Oxford 3-speed (dogs')
Another BF poster made his own Down Low Glow style light, his very thorough Instructables site is here. If you're of the DIY mindset, it could a fun project.
12-05-10 | 06:56 PM
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 653
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From: Central CT USA
Bikes: 1991 Tomassini Prestige 1973 Raliegh Supercourse, 1975 Panasonic Sport Deluxe, 1983 Fuji S-12, 1975 Motobecane Mirage, 1983 Motobecane Super Mirage 1999 Trek 930 1989 Trek 930 ,
I have started attaching a taillight to my handlebar pointed down and to the left to make a red dot on the road about 3 or 4 feet to my left, hoping that drivers would try to not drive over the dot.
After four nighttime commutes like this, not one car has driven over the dot. I am not sure if drivers actually stay farther away because of the light, or if I just thought they were closer than they were because I did not have a frame of reference. Four days is probably not long enough for a statistically valid sample, but I will keep tracking.
Has anybody else tried this, and what have your results been?
After four nighttime commutes like this, not one car has driven over the dot. I am not sure if drivers actually stay farther away because of the light, or if I just thought they were closer than they were because I did not have a frame of reference. Four days is probably not long enough for a statistically valid sample, but I will keep tracking.
Has anybody else tried this, and what have your results been?
yes I have, it works. I also use my headlight on my helmet for this. I want to try a lazer also.
12-05-10 | 07:36 PM
#14
rebmeM roineS
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,231
Likes: 366
From: Metro Indy, IN
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
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