Dim bicyclists, a follow-up

[mindstalk.livejournal.com]

So, in May 2013, I spawned what turned out to be a very long discussion of bike behavior, starting with my rant about a lack of lights. I didn't give numbers in the main post, but at some point I'd counted 1 in 6 night bikers having lights.

Tonight, it was more like 60%. Not counting myself, 38 with to 30 without on my way to Kendall, 9 to 6 back later, along Beacon/Hampshire. A few more if you count bikes with only tail lights, a few less not counting really dim front lights. Still at least 50%.

Has there been a huge change and uptake in the past two years, or was my original sample particularly poor?

(Dishonorable mention: the *car* cruising down Beacon with no lights.)

Comments

[ron_newman]

Lights have been coming down in price, and LED lights have much longer battery life than the old incandescent lamps.

[teko.livejournal.com]

I recently bought a new bike, and noticed that almost every bike I looked at came with an LED front light attached.

[mindstalk.livejournal.com]

That would certainly help!

[turil.livejournal.com]

For the record, unless the state laws have changed, ONLY a rear, red light is required, NOT a front, white one. Reflectors ARE required in a number of different places, though, I believe.

[mindstalk.livejournal.com]

http://massbike.org/resourcesnew/bike-law/ says

"You must use a white headlight and red taillight or rear reflector if you are riding anytime from 1/2 hour after sunset until 1/2 hour before sunrise."

With citation: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter85/Section11b
"(8) During the period from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, the operator shall display to the front of his bicycle a lamp emitting a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet, and to the rear of said bicycle either a lamp emitting a red light, or a red reflector visible for not less than six hundred feet when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. A generator powered lamp which emits light only when the bicycle is moving shall meet the requirements of this clause."

I don't know a way of easily seeing the legal history, but I think Massbike was saying that at last in spring 2013; I'd have checked before saying "it's the law!" in my post then.

[turil.livejournal.com]

Whoops! Weird! I got them reversed. It's only a headlight that is required. A taillight is optional (but the rear reflector is required). Thanks for checking! (I don't have much time online these days and so I don't have the freedom to do the research I normally prefer to do!)

[gruene.livejournal.com]

Headlight is the more important of the two, since the main danger is from turning cars. A car overtaking you will usually see you anyway, unless you're super dark.

[ron_newman]

No, it's the other way around. The law requires a headlight but only a rear reflector. (A tail light is a lot better, though.)

Assorted thoughts on bike safety

[mytheria.livejournal.com]

I mentally play a game of "are they an idiot" a score of 1 means they might survive Camberville traffic.

Points added for:
Lights
helmets
Riding with traffic
Visible clothing (not even dayglow, just pale)

Points deducted for:
Headphones
Cellphone use
Ignoring traffic signs/lights
wrong way on oneway
Scary loads

But I really hate the bikes with stobes. They are truly painful as a pedestrian, cyclist or driver.

Re: Assorted thoughts on bike safety

[mindstalk.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah. Of the surprisingly large number of front lights, a large percentage were flashers.

I do have my tail light on flash, but it's on and off, not the sparkly back and forth of police cruisers. (I remember when those went round and round, instead of assaulting the visual cortex...)

RE: Re: Assorted thoughts on bike safety

[gruene.livejournal.com]

I wonder if there are any studies on the relative safety of light patterns. I usually have my (not overly bright) headlight on blinking because I feel more visible that way.

Re: Assorted thoughts on bike safety

[jbsegal.livejournal.com]

When I'm a motorist, I thank you (and Ron, below) for your blinky head (and tail) lights. They DO improve my pattern recognition that "That's a moving thing, be cautious about it".

Re: Assorted thoughts on bike safety

[mindstalk.livejournal.com]

Bike Light Database says blinking lights are more noticeable but harder to judge the speed and distance of. They suggest blinking during the day (if you've got something bright enough for that) since you're already visible, solid headlight at night, blinking tail light at night. Possibly supplement the head light with a dimmer blinking one, but people don't want a bright white light blinking in their eyes.

I think they also advise sticking to basic flash vs. the aggressive strobe patterns; certainly *I* would.

RE: Re: Assorted thoughts on bike safety

[ron_newman]

I always have my lights on full blinky mode because I assume that makes me more visible. I point the front headlight slightly to the left and 10 degrees tilted up. Bad idea?

[arachne8x.livejournal.com]

I think this is important food for thought on the blinking lights issue.

http://bikeportland.org/2014/07/08/grafitti-northwest-portland-rages-blinking-bike-lights-108410

The lights can be very distracting and temporarily mess up someone's night vision. Also I do worry about the seizure trigger risk.