@ruggtomcat - I got them in the local bike shop Freewheelin but they are available online too
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting
Knocked off my bike this morning
(35 posts)-
Posted 13 years ago #
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@Numptie - do you think the problem is that the drivers can't see your front light (because they're facing your left side), or either that they are looking at your front light but miss it (or don't care and try to get through anyway)?
Even London Road to go north up Leith Walk (which is pretty acute due to the large size of the roundabout) gives me no trouble with front light only.
If you do want something extra, my top tip would be to fit an extra white light to your head - either a bike light taped to the helmet for those who do, or a headtorch-style for those who don't (added advantage, you now own a headtorch).
Staring at the oncoming traffic on the RAB will make even a modest light seem rather bright from their point of view. This has a few advantages over a side-pointing rear light:
- it is an extra light all the time, even when you're bimbling in a bus lane
- you can stare at drivers doing other things, such as waiting at side-streets, to make sure they are getting a lot of photons for their money
- your head is largely higher than the vehicle in front, which will help protect you against the "last in queue" hook (where an oncoming car waiting to turn right shoots the "gap" that you're riding in because your light is obscured by the car you're following).Finally, to drivers, a rear light is something going away from you that must be overtaken, a front light is something you'll crash into. If you do plan on a side-pointing light, I'd fit a front one instead (this is not illegal provided it's not visible from behind).
Posted 13 years ago # -
All good points Dave - I saw a cyclist from the car over parked cars at a junction thanks to helmet lights, also as you say you can point it at wing mirrors and left and right at juctions into driver's line of sight
Posted 13 years ago # -
Thanks for the pointers, I have a head band light that I used when I needed two hands free to tinker inside my pc, might give that a try. I already have a small flashing LED style light mounted front and back on my bike helmet. Had an appointment to give my statement to the police at Drylaw station yesterday, took nearly one hour to complete. Was told they would get back to me with any outcome. Also getting their road safety officer to contact me, and as there are probably around 50 to 60 cyclists on site even during winter months I might see if we can arrange a talk by road safety for the cyclists.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Ive been thinking about this a lot, I dont put it about on the forum, but I am more than aquainted with the priciples and practice of magic and illusion. I know that there are many ways that something can be rendered 'invisible' and most of the really effective ones happen inside the head of the observer.
What we really need is a change in culture. You can be a bright yellow retro-reflective elephant and people will still never see you under the right circumstances,
So lighting up only goes so far.What about increased punishment? Readers of freakonomics will know that punishment is not a great motivating force, and doesnt tackle the problem of not looking in the first place.
Education?
"there are probably around 50 to 60 cyclists on site even during winter months I might see if we can arrange a talk by road safety for the cyclists."
This reminds me of when i had a cycle commute in Portugal, a crazy country where people can and do have a beer whilst filling up the tank, that has amazing road death figures for a 1st world country and where the only safety campaign I saw in 5 months of living there said 'Pedestrians!!! Watch out!'
So its driver education, we need people to always expect there is going to be a bike round the next bend in the same way that cyclists always expect divers not to see them. Conventional Safety campaigns would help, school education, make it part of the national driving test, cool. But really, we need more bikes on the road. Until then, be very careful out there. Its culture we need to change.
Posted 13 years ago #
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