http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Light wars 2018 en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:16:08 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-364526 Tue, 01 Nov 2022 10:21:50 +0000 fimm 364526@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Oh &lt;mild infringement of Rule 2&gt;.<br /> Runners with head torches / hi vis on pavements or in parks really annoy me. It is a back to "make yourself visible so drivers don't kill you". While running in places where people are not driving.</p> <p>Of course I use a headtorch when I actually need it to see where I am going. But I turn it off when I don't need it. (And the canal is a bit of a special case (let's not go there).) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-364521 Tue, 01 Nov 2022 00:20:16 +0000 LaidBack 364521@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This evening I cycled back via NMW.<br /> Dazzled by at least three groups of Meadows runners.<br /> One runner in each group was wearing a head torch which alternated between lighting the path and making fellow runners alongside invisible.<br /> Anyone else noticed this? Equivalent of bike lights favoured by some that shine into oncoming drivers / cyclists eyes. Think lights were on along path but hard to know as distracted. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-314692 Mon, 23 Sep 2019 07:58:16 +0000 Greenroofer 314692@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@chdot - so presumably capable of a steady light, but not marked with a stamp showing that they comply with BS61023 (or 'the corresponding standard of another EC country') so not legal as a primary light source.</p> <p>Weirdly the really small blinky lights Aldi also sell don't have this caveat, despite having a steady mode and therefore requiring a standard mark. Maybe they have one...</p> <p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pedal-cycles-lighting/pedal-cycles-lighting" rel="nofollow">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pedal-cycles-lighting/pedal-cycles-lighting</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-314673 Sun, 22 Sep 2019 19:21:06 +0000 chdot 314673@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>Safety Warning<br /> Lights are to be used in conjunction with lights complying with the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations.</p> <p>“</p> <p>?? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-314671 Sun, 22 Sep 2019 18:37:02 +0000 gembo 314671@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Aldi lights go on sale next Sunday. Usual range of stuff. New this year the Aldi version of he LUMOS Helmet, the Aldi version of the Tacx Trainer (both items £70 and a floor ceiling pole for to hang two bikes from £35</p> <p>I am just after lights so will resist all others except maybe waterproof socks - I have two pairs of these already plus my sealskinz ones so probably not. They are good, as are their merino base layers. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295821 Thu, 15 Nov 2018 10:38:13 +0000 ARobComp 295821@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@wingpig yeah quite a few people with torches or lights held in their hands. TBH just a tiny bit of reflective tape is enough! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295820 Thu, 15 Nov 2018 10:37:52 +0000 piosad 295820@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@wingpig, yes, quite a few. A good number of flashing armbands and similar, too. Most people make an effort, it's the ones that don't that we complain about! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295817 Thu, 15 Nov 2018 10:07:47 +0000 steveo 295817@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I got a pretty cool* light from Decathlon for running its got a magnet bouncing around some coils attached to a couple of red led's I wear it on my offside arm, its enough to grab attention (I think) and on a light path it <em>really</em> shouldn't be necessary. </p> <p>*I mostly bought it because its cool tech. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295816 Thu, 15 Nov 2018 10:04:58 +0000 wingpig 295816@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>On the section of WoL path between the Warriston junction and Great Junction Street recently there've been a few people a day wandering along with a small torch or their phone held in their offside hand. Does anyone do that on the canal? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295813 Thu, 15 Nov 2018 09:32:07 +0000 fimm 295813@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I had an interesting conversation with a cyclist a few weeks ago. I was running on the towpath wearing a white jacket. It was sort of half-light - I could see where I was going but all the cyclists had light. I asked a cyclist as he overtook "Am I visible <em>enough</em>?"<br /> "Not really," was the reply, "You are about as visible as those pedestrians there." They were visible, clearly, but just dark shapes.</p> <p>There have been occasions where I've been able to see where I am going but have turned my headtorch on in order to let others see that I am there. I also have an armband with a blue flashing light which is useful for running on the towpath.</p> <p>In the dark I run one steady and one flashing light, front and rear. I don't think many people are going to stop, get off their bike and alter their rear light for an off-road section of a mostly on-road ride. Front lights are different, of course. I switch the flasher to continuous on the odd occasion I use the NEPN or the towpath in the dark. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295810 Thu, 15 Nov 2018 09:01:36 +0000 ARobComp 295810@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Must admit that I've had almost 0 agro on the towpath up until the clocks changed and then only at peak post work times. Most of the time it's fairly relaxing and calm. Off to give it a go (but I'll take the roads home this evening) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295809 Thu, 15 Nov 2018 08:24:04 +0000 wingpig 295809@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I went out to Hermistron Gait yesterday lunchtime along the canal and it was fine, though probably quieter due to the wind and drizzle. I only went that way as it was into to the wind, returning via the trampath. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295808 Thu, 15 Nov 2018 08:01:44 +0000 gembo 295808@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@klaxon, still fairly relaxed outside commuting times </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295807 Thu, 15 Nov 2018 07:26:09 +0000 Klaxon 295807@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Going by these reports I don’t think I’d enjoy the towpath any more</p> <p>I was taken for many a relaxing walk there as a kid and it’s where I learned to leisurely cycle and get some freedom as a teen but modern descriptions here make it sound like trying to take a stroll down the middle of a busy country road with no pavements </p> <p>Stressful and relatively unsafe for everyone </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295799 Wed, 14 Nov 2018 23:05:21 +0000 piosad 295799@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I only refrained from swearing because I had both children in tow today, when on our way to football training we met a ninja cyclist (bad enough) zooming ahead at a pace I would consider unwise on the towpath even in broad daylight. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295787 Wed, 14 Nov 2018 19:19:28 +0000 chrisfl 295787@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I usually give the canal a miss between when clocks change and it gets properly cold, after which all the flashers/blinders either have given up or improved there setup. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295773 Wed, 14 Nov 2018 13:49:50 +0000 gembo 295773@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I am surprised given all the flashers, blinders, ninjas, rowers, rowing coaches on bikes, dog walkers, p;usher-inners etc there is not more swearing.</p> <p>At least the Pokémon Go craze appears to have died down </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295742 Wed, 14 Nov 2018 09:15:03 +0000 jdanielp 295742@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Not too bad last night, but on Monday night there were a couple of binders, a few in between and a flasher. Worst of all, however, was the sheer number of ninjas. Three bikes and well into double figures of pedestrians/joggers. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295741 Wed, 14 Nov 2018 09:13:41 +0000 ARobComp 295741@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I was overtaking a pedestrian by the wall leading up to harrison park when a runner in all black loomed out of the darkness on my side of the path. I braked in shock (completely unable to see him) and my back wheel skidded.<br /> "OH FOR F**** SAKE" he shouted, </p> <p>ARob - "Sorry Dude you're invisible, you've no reflectives or light" </p> <p>Jogger - "&lt;inaudible&gt; C***!!!!" </p> <p>I was using an aimed downwards light which doesn't blind but clearly doesn't light up far enough ahead. Equally the runner was clearly in denial that he was invisible. </p> <p>He was angry enough that I think this must have been happening to him all along the path. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295740 Wed, 14 Nov 2018 08:59:46 +0000 paulmilne 295740@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I hadn't thought of the epileptic thing. I'll keep my flasher off unless I'm on road and then pointed down from now on. it's that funny time of year when it's hard to judge when you need a light on or off. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295739 Tue, 13 Nov 2018 23:56:23 +0000 Rosie 295739@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Oh and on the flashing lights thing, epileptics can find them very upsetting, like strobe lighting. I imagine migraine sufferers would find them painful as well.</p> <p>I go steady, at a lower beam, front light pushed down and pointed to the left. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295738 Tue, 13 Nov 2018 23:47:13 +0000 Rosie 295738@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>On the lights front, I used to find the cat's eyes on the canal rather blinding - they outlined the path but didn't light the way. There are similar looking lights on the path by the Water of Leith from Roseburn Park to the tunnel that takes you to Westfield, but these give much better visibility. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295737 Tue, 13 Nov 2018 23:38:54 +0000 gembo 295737@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have returned to the roads to escape these blinding lights </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295736 Tue, 13 Nov 2018 23:24:23 +0000 piosad 295736@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Today's less than pleasant light experience was on the towpath. I overtook a cyclist with a very bright front light after the Yeaman Place bridge going west. It was not just very bright but also leaking far enough upwards that I was casting a full, quite distinct shadow on the wall and then the bushes by Harrison Park. So not only was it (I'm guessing) far too bright for oncoming oncoming, it actually made it necessary for me to keep guessing if the silhouette to the front and right of me was an unlit pedestrian or my own shadow. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295445 Sat, 10 Nov 2018 00:02:30 +0000 minus six 295445@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Ragingbike</p> <p>not forgotten by me, that's for sure</p> <p>edinburgh justice rotten to the core </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295440 Fri, 09 Nov 2018 21:21:52 +0000 miak 295440@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Having touted a 1600 lumen front light, hi viz nightvision jacket a body worn flashing Lezyne and still been hit by a driver who got off by claiming she didn't see me ...(accepted by the JP) suffered fractured ribs a written of bike and permanently knackered finger ..... I know it may be controversial but Im quite happy to blind as many drivers as i can with flashing bright full beam lights... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295429 Fri, 09 Nov 2018 17:49:29 +0000 minus six 295429@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@wingpig cheers for the bracket tip, nice one </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295399 Fri, 09 Nov 2018 16:10:16 +0000 gembo 295399@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Those proviz jackets are blinding when I shine my light on them </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=3#post-295396 Fri, 09 Nov 2018 15:47:35 +0000 I were right about that saddle 295396@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@ARobComp is correct, as sometimes.</p> <p>The main point of lights in town is for the ensuing court cases and insurance claims. Ditto magic hats and hi-vis. 500 lumens your honour etc.</p> <p>Off road or in the dark different story. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19242&page=2#post-295394 Fri, 09 Nov 2018 15:36:13 +0000 davidsonsdave 295394@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Adorning yourself with loads of lights makes 0 difference to how noticeable you are in the majority of situations where people think it makes the most difference.</em></p> <p>You can spend a lot of time to make yourself as visible as it is possible to be with multiple lights, helmet lights, hi-vis, reflective jacket, pedal and spoke reflectors, tyres with reflective side walls, reflective tape on your bike frame.</p> <p>Recent stats suggest that "driver failed to look properly" is a contributory factor in something like 1/3 of road accidents in Scotland so ride like everyone is out to kill you is sensible advice. </p>