Commuting befoe daylight

[beachcruiser]

I had a chance to talk to a very nice gentleman
from west-central Indiana yesterday about motor-
ized bicycles. He was telling me about his commute
by car to Lafayette Ind. to work. He became very
irrate describing one motorized bicycle he has to pass
every morning. It seems that this motorized bicycle
has the blinky red light and strobe light on when he
comes upon it. The gentleman says there is something
about those lights that want you to pull over and tell
the motorized bicycle rider to get that thing off the
road. I asked, if the motorized bicycle was riding on
the highway shoulder out of the way and the gentleman
said yes, and become irrate again about pulling over and
telling the motorized bicycle rider to get that thing off the road.
There is something about those lights that drive me insane.
So I did not push the conversation any further.
What is your thoughts about this.....?

 

[psmcd]

triggers

We all know people become enraged at cyclists impeding their way. Couple that with some form of physiologic neural trigger and they just might go off on you. Reminds me of the show "The Incredible Hulk" and what would trigger his transformation. Seems flashing lights were a trigger. People become annoyed when you disturb their trance.

Not a recommendation but at times stealth feels safer than visibility.

 

[bluegoatwoods]

I'd say that psmcd's description sounds convincing.

You'll notice that even nice, even-tempered cagers, those not prone to true road rage, become annoyed at, and sometimes rude to, bicyclists.

And I've noticed (I think this is common) that my night vision is less great than it used to be. Bright flashing lights tend to overwhelm my eyes. I can't see anything else.

I do a lot of night riding. I usually run one steady and one blinking rear. Maybe I ought to go with two steadys and save the blinking for bad visibility conditions.

I really should have thought of that on my own. But I'm glad the subject came up; gave me a chance to drive a mile in their shoes.

 

[beachcruiser]

Yes, I agree with you. Two steady lights and a blinky for
bad visibility makes for common sense- also the use of some
bicycle reflective tape.

 

[loquin]

The blinky lights are annoying.

 

[Mountainman]

my boodie flasher a flashing !!!

The blinky lights are annoying.

yes -- they sure are
I guess that's what's so good about them

while driving my car to work years ago
I would pass a co-worker each morning in the dark riding his bike
his flashing on his rear end light seemed to bug me
I called it his boodie butt flasher

he would walk into work and in front of everyone I would say
there's the boodie butt flasher
everyone would laugh including him
that was a fun group where I worked

yes - on my rear end today when I ride in the dark
I also have my boodie butt flasher a flashing !!!

as I ride that THING

 

[HERPER]

i personally use regular red lights steady, no flashing... the flashing even for me, a 22 year old kid, is incredibly annoying.

i think the break between the blinks might even make it more mezmerizing then anything else, and the last thing i want when riding at night is some guy coming home from work tired just getting lost in the flashing red light.

i also have reflective tape on my backpack which i always wear and on my bike..... so its not just a light but all sorts of good sh*t

 

[bikebum1975]

I agree I personally don't do a lot of night riding but I can't stand the flashing lights either. I feel as for looks it takes away from the bike but to each his own on that. As far as the slug in the car I don't bother starting with them I also rarely have any problems with them around here I think partly cause I don't wear cycling clothes just normal every day street clothes when I ride. But some people are just ignorant they think they own the roads when they get behind the wheel. I find I have more problems with motorists when I go for a walk then riding.

 

[mikem]

Blinkys

I'm glad I read this thread. I never used them but I always thought those flashing lights were a good idea ... in theory anyway. Never thought of how annoying they might be but I can understand how they might.

When I was riding my motorcycle I always worried if that "little" factory tail/brake light was enough. So, I added several more stop lights to the rear and wired them in with the brake switch. That way I had "normal" running lights but when I hit the brakes I had extra brake lights ... more noticible. Sometimes, especially in heavy traffic, I'd hit the brake pedal a few times before coming to a full stop ... for a little flash effect.

Hate to say it but riding at night is always risky.

 

[ZnsaneRyder]

By what was said in the first post, it looks like the guy had a problem with the motored bicycle, and not just the blinking light. Some people in cars get egos and think they have the authority to tell bikes to get off the road. That's just pure disrespect and is intolerable IMO.

I have a TON of lights, and I had some ignoramus shout at me while blaring the horn to get off the road, and I was not in anyone's path, but I was in the opposite lane. Some people think they are so tough inside the shelter of their vehicles. When I followed him to his house, there attitude changed, and they were afraid to come outside, HAHAHA.

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.