Night riding visibility
Discussion
After a few near SMIDSY incidents with cars pulling out from side junctions on my commute in the past few weeks - I wouldn't mind; I'm not exacting a fast rider! A couple of beers......an ebay purchase of waterproof 12v Led strip lighting, using a spare light battery, bit of wire and soldering, concept has been proven. Just waiting for in line switch, for ability to turn on/offf. No other lights on in the room and picture taken on the phone.
Whilst I appreciate it won't appeal to all, it's quite a lightweight solution. I have no idea of the longevity of the LEDs although it was only £6 for 5m, I have enough left to replace twice. May look to add a bit of red to the seat stays.
Whilst I appreciate it won't appeal to all, it's quite a lightweight solution. I have no idea of the longevity of the LEDs although it was only £6 for 5m, I have enough left to replace twice. May look to add a bit of red to the seat stays.
my experience is you can be lit up like a christmas tree, have all the reflective clothing on in the world. be on a well lit bridge where you have right of way. and they still hit you! and then they say 'sorry i did see you i just thought i would be able to squeeze past you',
expect the unexpected, cycle defensively and hope you don't get hit from behind.
expect the unexpected, cycle defensively and hope you don't get hit from behind.
http://www.monkeylectric.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6c2XoYEus4
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s?me=A18IL0CIKU8XDQ&me...
It amazes me, that ProTour Teams don't stick these on domestique bikes for some stage for advertising
quite epic
my tip is to get a roll of decent reflective tape
cut it up into bits that stick on your rims, carrier, mudguards etc. etc.
wheels especially, I have it inside the braking surface but on the sidewall of each rim, a little strip the length of the gap between the spokes on every other gap
really does light up well from angles that the lights don't necessarily cover so well
my tip is to get a roll of decent reflective tape
cut it up into bits that stick on your rims, carrier, mudguards etc. etc.
wheels especially, I have it inside the braking surface but on the sidewall of each rim, a little strip the length of the gap between the spokes on every other gap
really does light up well from angles that the lights don't necessarily cover so well
Anyone got any of the Volvo Life Paint yet ?
My local dealer has it on order but its not arrived - plenty on eBay selling at £15 including postage - list is I believe £9.
However, I would agree with another comment that you can be lit like a Xmas tree and they will still try and get you for one reason or another. Seems an age ago but 10 days ago I had to throw myself onto a raised verge when someone went for an overtake coming towards me so it was close to a full on at 70 !!
My local dealer has it on order but its not arrived - plenty on eBay selling at £15 including postage - list is I believe £9.
However, I would agree with another comment that you can be lit like a Xmas tree and they will still try and get you for one reason or another. Seems an age ago but 10 days ago I had to throw myself onto a raised verge when someone went for an overtake coming towards me so it was close to a full on at 70 !!
KrazyIvan said:
Nobody ever got run over for being too well lit.
Personally I like the look for the winter. Kickstarter might not be a bad idea.
I would be careful with that attitude! People in cars/lorries/buses etc generally are not looking for bikes, they are looking for something as big if not bigger than them. Watch people at junctions and see if they actually look properly. I know this because I nearly drove into a cyclist once at an angled junction. I was in a bit of a rush, and I glanced to see if it was clear; I got back on the gas but for some reason I had another look and there was a guy on a bike who I would have driven into. Scared the crap out of me. Don't ever assume the other person has seen you.Personally I like the look for the winter. Kickstarter might not be a bad idea.
I think I am being misunderstood.
I FULLY appreciate that you could be riding along a glow with radioactive paint and a big feck of siren AND still get run over, however the reason given is very unlikely to be,
" I saw all your lights and thought you were an alien invasion and so went all will Smith on your ass"
The reason would still be "sorry mate didn't see you there"
So again, nobody ever got run over for being to well lit, so a doubt the ops setup is going to increase his chances of being run over.
I FULLY appreciate that you could be riding along a glow with radioactive paint and a big feck of siren AND still get run over, however the reason given is very unlikely to be,
" I saw all your lights and thought you were an alien invasion and so went all will Smith on your ass"
The reason would still be "sorry mate didn't see you there"
So again, nobody ever got run over for being to well lit, so a doubt the ops setup is going to increase his chances of being run over.
JPJPJP said:
quite epic
my tip is to get a roll of decent reflective tape
cut it up into bits that stick on your rims, carrier, mudguards etc. etc.
wheels especially, I have it inside the braking surface but on the sidewall of each rim, a little strip the length of the gap between the spokes on every other gap
really does light up well from angles that the lights don't necessarily cover so well
As a car driver I have to say that this is always the most effective. Apart from idiot cyclists who don't have any lights at all showing, there's also too many other distracting lights on most busy roads - oncoming car headlights and general road furniture/lights makes it very difficult to see some cyclists. Plenty of good reflective tape, in many different places, is far more effective.my tip is to get a roll of decent reflective tape
cut it up into bits that stick on your rims, carrier, mudguards etc. etc.
wheels especially, I have it inside the braking surface but on the sidewall of each rim, a little strip the length of the gap between the spokes on every other gap
really does light up well from angles that the lights don't necessarily cover so well
louiebaby said:
Stiggolas said:
Is the law on lights the same as for cars, ie no white light shining behind the vehicle?
Not sure this idea would qualify and may fall foul of plod.....
Reversing lights and number plate illumination might fall foul of that.Not sure this idea would qualify and may fall foul of plod.....
Interested to learn, not being a dick.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/regul...
I'd say the light proposed would fall foul of this. Would have to be red if visible from rear.
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