Commuting befoe daylight

[CowNoseThe50PoundCat]

That's why I dont want to drive. You just get stuck in this little box zooming around all day long and you never get to talk to anyone except for when your filling up the tank. On a bike at least you have the open air around you. You can see anyone as you pass them, and they see you! Much less anonymity. In a good way. Heck I can't wait to be known as "that crazy kid with the mb." (there aren't many mb's here, just 1 old guy I have seen around town that's it, and almost everyone I talk to has seen him hehe)

 

[bluegoatwoods]

And the worst part about driving a car these days is that everywhere you go you're stuck "standing" in line here, then there, then there, etc.

I spent my teen years in a very rural area. (Very rural). No waiting in line there. But now I visit and I look around and see the cars (a bit more numerous) driving so terribly fast on roads that weren't meant for it that it scares me.

The cars are much, much better. But driving just isn't as much fun as it used to be.

Though the interstate highways, away from the cities, are still ok in most places at least.

 

[SirJakesus]

I must say that I make use of normal bicycle lighting combos on some of my bikes. I find the blinky settings work best at getting drivers attention during the day since these lights are very low wattage and would easily disappear during a sunny day. Once it gets dim I turn them to constant. I believe this is how they were meant to be run anyway. You can run a blinky head and taillight with 3 AAA batteries a piece for a whole summer to keep yourself more visible during daylight hours. At night turn those things to steady and turn on your high-powered headlight to avoid road hazards.

 

[mlcorson]

People need to stop being so mean and rude, and realize that everyone has to make their own way, and stop hating on others for not conforming to their ways. I'm sure if he was the one riding the bicycle, he wouldn't be such an idiot.

Good advice. We appear to be more vulnerable when riding a bike and I believe people take advantage of that by being mean sometimes.

The blinking lights do create a depth perception problem for drivers. I myself can't judge the distance of a red blinker at night until I get very close. A steady light along with a blinker is probably the best solution.

 

[augidog]

"depth" perception, yes...

but it's in the mind, not the eye, where things go wrong, imo.

they see bicycle-lights, they think bicycle, a slow 8-12mph bicycle...but "for some reason, i'm not gaining on those blinky things, this is making me noivous" or "oh, a bicycle, i have plenty of time to pull out...oh, carp, what was that?"

but we're usually topping 25mph or more...we're hard to get used to at first.

i'd be a bit irate, myself, being put on edge...cagers have a lot to worry about, insurance and liability not the least of...

i use a fulltime 55W halogen headlamp, 10W trailer marker tail...

the cager sees a "vehicle"...

i get lots of room ahead and behind as the cager is "fooled" onto the side of caution. seeing me clearly seems to make them a bit more relaxed about sharing the road, maybe they realize i'm doing my part, too.

besides, search out how state troopers feel about blinky-lights & the "moth syndrome."

 

[echotraveler]

great thread!

now that i think about it there most be something neurological about it....

my experience with stage lighting has shown that leds are very distracting for humans....its almost like the "electric light for flys" you know the one that zaps them.
It hurts to looks at them but you cant get your eyes to look away...and flashing them could cause zeisures!

 

[Mountainman]

a good thread to touch bases with
heading out early in the dark tomorrow morning on the THING motor bike

noticed THINGS a little different in augi's post above
is he ok ?
looks as if he may have jumped off a very tall building
good THING he has a motor
not sure if those little legs will make it to the pedals !!!

came back to share
just checked my boodie flasher light
new batteries were dead again
seems that carrying it in my backpack -- switch must get hit -- turned on ??
now I am a ready to flash that THING

always fun to ride those THINGS

 

[Member 5549]

yea I have a Blinkey too but I also have a Smith & Wesson In case any motorist have a problem with my lights !!!

 

[echotraveler]

but it's in the mind, not the eye, where things go wrong, imo.

they see bicycle-lights, they think bicycle, a slow 8-12mph bicycle...but "for some reason, i'm not gaining on those blinky things, this is making me noivous" or "oh, a bicycle, i have plenty of time to pull out...oh, carp, what was that?"

but we're usually topping 25mph or more...we're hard to get used to at first.

i'd be a bit irate, myself, being put on edge...cagers have a lot to worry about, insurance and liability not the least of...

i use a fulltime 55W halogen headlamp, 10W trailer marker tail...
View attachment 14930View attachment 14931
the cager sees a "vehicle"...

i get lots of room ahead and behind as the cager is "fooled" onto the side of caution. seeing me clearly seems to make them a bit more relaxed about sharing the road, maybe they realize i'm doing my part, too.

besides, search out how state troopers feel about blinky-lights & the "moth syndrome."

sir, how can you power such fine light on your bike???

 

[azbill]

augi did a thread on it
called 'community effort' or something
http://www.motoredbikes.com/showthread.php?t=6581&highlight=community+effort