Bike Forums - Scared and disapointed in myself

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Quote:

Originally Posted by David Bierbaum (Post 15381402)

Perception can play tricks on people. The mind has tricks it plays to give us the feeling of depth in what we see, and those tricks can sometimes lead one wrong. I have to take issue with the folks who say that he had to know SOMETHING was there, because in addition to that, you have to know how far away that something is, and how fast the distance is closing. If you are fooled into thinking you aren't as close to an object as you are, and aren't closing in on that object as fast as you actually are, then the simple act of "knowing something is there" isn't going to prevent an accident.

Lights will make you safer, but they won't make you SAFE. It's best to remember that when dealing with other motorists. From personal experience, I know that bicycle blinkies mess with my perception of relative closure, if they're blinking too abruptly. It's like watching dancers under a strobe light. :)

Agreed, but knowing something is there still beats not knowing something is there.

Nothing will ever make us 100% safe (we're not even 100% safe when cased in two tons of metal), it's about being as safe as we can be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bent Bill (Post 15379337)

While I agree with everyones posts
I guess it was not knowing what I was seeing that bothered me
I didnt have a reference as to what it was or how far away I was from this u.f.o.
and at the time I didnt even know that it was moving at first
It was just a bright blinking light about 6 feet off the ground on the side of the road
there was nothing reflecting off of the bike or person for reference to tell me BICYCLIST

I feel I should have known instantly what I was looking at
being that I commute also on a regular basis

Personally, I think that's the best approach. I want enough lights and reflective material on me and have it arranged in such a manner that I am instantly recognized as a bicyclist. I'll probably never achieve that goal, but it's worth a shot to try.

Quote:

Originally Posted by agent pombero (Post 15379098)

Yup. I say you can't be too bright!

On residential streets my setup is so bright that it actually makes 80% of oncoming drivers pull over and wait until I pass. My goal is 100%. Maybe that will happen when I throw the 3600 lm on the bars!

I'm sorry, but that is both extremely inconsiderate and probably dangerous.

I associate blinking lights at handlebar height with bikes. A solid light at handlebar height also suggests bike, though it can get lost in clutter if it is not bright.

Lights at other locations, like up high, don't immediately say "bike" to me. But they do get my attention, which is probably enough.

I have a lot of lights at night. At the rear, a red blinky on my helmet and a very bright flashing red multi-LED taillight on the bike, with smaller red lights as backups for both. At the front, a small white blinky, a pretty bright Niterider Mini Newt on the bars, and a bright MagicShine clone on the helmet which I turn on when needed. Also TACX white/red running lights in the ends of both drops. Reflective strips on helmet, jacket, bag, rain pants. My wife says I am very visible.