Night or Day, these lights could save your life.

I first bought lights for my bike some years ago because I was setting out on my morning ride before 6:00 am and in the winter months it was still dark. My first lights were the cheap kind that run on replaceable AAA batteries. I soon grew tired of replacing batteries and they were unreliable as the batteries would vibrate loose, and the light would go out.

I soon invested in a set of the rechargeable kind. 700 lumens of light, the equivalent of a 60 watt bulb, it projected a beam of light up the road some 50 or 60 feet ahead. I could actually see where I was going. The other thing I noticed, people didn’t pull out in front of me. They would stop and wait for me to pass, even though they were some distance away, and had time to pull out.

Although the headlight is only about 3/4 inch (2 cm.) diameter, in complete darkness the light is so intense, it appears to be much bigger.

Drivers I’m sure mistake me for a moped or scooter, and assume I am traveling at a greater speed that I actually am.

The other thing I noticed, drivers gave me more room in passing.

I seldom ride in the dark any more but as I already have the lights, I use them in daylight too. Imagine yourself in this scenario. You are riding in the city, or some country road, and a car comes barreling across a parking lot or a along a driveway. You can tell by his speed he probably does not intend to stop. Most likely he hasn’t even seen you, you might be hidden behind trees or bushes. All he sees is a gap in traffic and he is going for it.

When this happens to me I go into defensive mode, and slow getting ready to stop. But at the last moment the driver sees my flashing head light and slams on the brakes. If I had no such light, I know this driver would not have stopped, even if he saw me. I would not register as a danger or threat to him.

I cannot think how many times this actual scenario has played out over the years, which is why I label these lights a “Life Saver.” I would not usually make such statements, unless I truly believed it. Other times there have been a line of cars coming towards me, and someone has pulled out to overtake. They the spot the flashing head light, reconsider and pull back in line. How mant cyclists are killed in such head-on colisions?

My under the saddle tool bag (Below right.) is actually a padded camera case I picked up for $5 at Wal-Mart. It is strapped under the saddle with a couple of nylon toe straps. I poked two holes in the zippered rear flap and threaded a black plastic zip-tie through to make a loop to hold the lamp. The rear light comes with a seat post clamp, but I figured it would be more visible in this position

Both the front and rear lights in flashing mode, can be seen a mile away. Especially if you are riding in the shadow of trees, the lights show up even more.

I can’t count the number of times drivers will actually slow as they pass, to comment about the light. “Those are the best lights I’ve seen,” is pretty typical. One time I was taking a roadside break when a car stopped. The driver said, “I could see that flashing red light a mile away, I thought it was a cop car.”

With so many distracted drivers on the road, it is good that they see a flashing light and think it is a cop, or some other emergency vehicle. At least you have their attention. With having advanced warning there is a cyclist ahead, they have time to adjust their speed to accommodate road conditions and other traffic. I generally find that most drivers will go clear over to the opposing lane to pass, and if they can’t do that they at least slow and pass with caution.

I have had good luck with the Nite Rider brand of lights. I have had them several years now. One of them stopped charging and I sent it back to the maker. They fixed it under warrantee, and sent it back. Apart from that I’ve never had a problem. They are spendy, around $80 for the head light, and $50 for the tail light. But shop around and you can find the same brand for less.

(Left.) They plug into your PC with a USB cord to rechage in a couple of hours. Or you can use a phone charger.

They are now available in over 1000 lumens. I advise you use a steady beam in the dark, as the flashing mode is distracting to both the rider and other road users.

In day light the flashing mode uses less current, and actually draws more attention that a steady light.

I am surprised when out riding, I see more cyclists without day time lights, than with them. How much is your life worth? Anything you can do to make yourself more visible is a plus. Personally, the added peace of mind these lights give me makes it money well spent. Getting drivers to stop and not pull out in front of me, or turn in front of me, because of these lights, just makes my ride safer and more pleasurable.  

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Enforcement or Education

I clearly remember coming to the US in 1979 and within a week or so I was invited on a bike ride.

It was early one Sunday morning, as bike rides tend to be. There was not much traffic, and we had only ridden a couple of blocks when we came to a red traffic light. I stopped and everyone else kept going.

The reason I stopped, it was what I had done all my life. At a very young age I was taught the rules of the road in school. Especially the ones that applied to pedestrians and cyclists.

This was my rude introduction to cycling American style. Soon after I witnessed people riding bikes on sidewalks, on the wrong side of the road, red lights and stop signs were completely ignored. I was surprised, even shocked, because in England at that time I had never witnessed anyone else riding in this fashion, neither bike enthusiasts or the general public. (I understand it is different now.)

As I see it, when people get on a bicycle, they don’t see themselves as the driver of a vehicle, but rather they are simply a Pedestrian on a Bike. (POB) And just as pedestrians walk where ever they please, they ride a bike in the same manner.

The reason I come to this conclusion is because whenever I see someone riding with complete disregard for any rules of the road, I think, ‘These people probably own a car, or at least have driven a car at some point, and they would never drive a car in this fashion.’  They must believe that the rules of the road don’t apply to bicycles.

I still stop at red lights, stop signs too if there is someone waiting ahead of me. I never ride on the sidewalk or the wrong side of the road. Why? Not because I am a perfect law abiding citizen, but it is what I was taught as a child.

The reason the majority of people don’t kill each other, or steal each other’s property, is not because we fear law enforcement or prison, it is because our parents and teachers taught us moral standards. In other words, education.

On the other hand, give a child a bicycle and send him out with no guidance what so ever, and he will ride that bike where ever and in any way he pleases. He gets away with it as a kid, because he is just a kid, and no car driver wants to hit a child. But what he learns as a child he carries into adulthood.

He learns about momentum, and how stopping and starting again requires effort. I witness so many cyclists on arriving at a road junction will not stop. If there is no gap in traffic they will turn towards traffic, or turn onto the sidewalk if that is the direction they need to go. I have seen people on bikes ride in a circle at an intersection, rather than come to a complete stop and wait.

In large cities like Chicago there are now so many cyclists that it is becoming a problem. I quote from one article, “There are getting to be so many cyclists, and so many are being killed or injured, something has to be done.”

Law enforcement in Chicago has stepped up the issuing of tickets for cycling violations, and now there are cries of unfairness, because more tickets are being written in Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. Does anyone consider that low income African Americans and Latinos, are being forced to ride bikes for economic reasons?

Law enforcement is not the answer anyway, any more than incarceration is the only answer to the crime problem. Education is key. Start teaching cycling proficiency in schools, and when issuing tickets to offending cyclists, give them the option of a hefty fine, or attend cycling classes over several weekends.

That would be both a deterrent and more useful. Motorists "Dooring" cyclists and other infractions involing cyclists, should attend the same weekend courses on road safety as the cyclists.

Also in large cities speed limits should be lowered to 20 mph. and enforce that. It is not that cars and bicycles don’t mix, it is the difference in speed that is the issue. Cyclists, even one’s riding badly are not the main problem, it is simply one of too many people in too small a space. We can’t all have the luxury of driving cars at high speed.

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Ebikes, problem or no?

 

Steath Ebike. 5,000 Watts. 50 mph.

I don’t want to be a kill-joy right before Christmas, and the sudden proliferation of electric assisted bikes, and the lack of regulations for said bikes, I find quite alarming.

There will be a lot of teens and even pre-teens getting one of these this holiday season. And the scary part is, they will receive little or no safety instruction for riding these new machines. Even 20 mph is too fast, if you ride against traffic, or on the sidewalk,

No license is required, so no driving test to pass, or training to pass such a test. I am concerned for my own safety, what do I do if I find one of these coming towards me at 20 mph, or they suddenly appear out of nowhere, from a side street or driveway.

And pedestrians, you thought pedal bicycles were a problem on hiking trails. You ain’t seen nothing yet. Now there are ebikes out there capable of 50 mph. These may not even be street legal, but this is the problem, regulations are sketchy, and there are so many grey areas. Use on off road trails will be one of them. And if 50 mph ebikes are available, they are going to find their way on the streets, legal or not.

It is not that I consider ebikes inherently dangerous, the problem is this. It is more likely that one of these machines will be ridden by someone inexperienced, making them a danger to themselves and others.

Bicycles can be dangerous if used without regard for safety rules and regulations, or even just plain old common sense. But the difference is a pedal bicycle can only go as fast as its rider can pedal. With a power assisted ebike the top speed begins at 20 mph, and it appears it is increasing from there.

What are your thoughts, am I over reacting?

Here is some more reading:

https://www.electricbike.com/dangers/

https://www.electricbike.com/10-fastest-ebikes/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws

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Be seen at night

I was recently in downtown Charleston for a Saturday evening event, and walking back to the car park at around 10:00 pm. I was pleased to see a great many people riding bikes; at the same time I was dismayed that most of them were riding without lights.

Apart from being against the law, a person has to be crazy to ride in the dark without lights. There is a big enough danger of being hit by a car in the daylight, but in the dark? At least give a driver a fighting chance to see you before you become a hood ornament.

Lights are available at any bike store, and even stores like Target and Wal-Mart have them for as low as twenty bucks for a front and rear light.

I often ride early morning soon after 6:00 am. when it is still dark. I use front and rear lights, with a solid red light on my bike, and an extra flashing red light clipped to the rear pocket of my jersey.

One little tip I would like to pass on; I found the batteries in my front light vibrate loose and the light would go out as a result.

A piece of masking tape around the batteries takes care of the problem. (Left.)

Also I recently found some reflective ankle bands at a local Dick's Sporting Goods Store. (Pictured top.) They were in the shoe department, and were actually made for runners.

When I started wearing these I noticed immediately, car drivers gave me a lot more room when passing. Moving reflectors on pedals or ankles are very effective.

Velcro fastening, they would double nicely to hold pant legs in place for anyone commuting to work in regular clothes. The cost was around eight dollars.

Speaking of pant legs and commuting; here is a handy device called “Leg Shield.” Made to go around your right lower leg, (Picture above.) it prevents chain grease from getting all over your Khakis and you arrive at your work place looking clean and sharp.

Remember, be safe out there and be seen, especially at night.

                       

Keeping the news in perspective

My main source of news today is the Internet; the news is no less depressing, but I can at least pick and choose the stories I want to read or videos I want to watch.

When it comes to cycling news it is not only depressing it is incredibly boring, which is depressing in itself; especially when I am looking for something to discuss here.

The stories seem to fall into three distinct categories:

1.)    Stories about improvements being made in cycling infrastructure in various cities across the US, and in other parts of the world; bike lanes added, etc. etc. Good news indeed and a good trend to observe, but of little interest to anyone but the people living in the particular city to which it applies.

2.)    Stories about cyclists and motorists not getting along; this could be a daily soap opera or reality show on TV; it would be just about as interesting too.

3.)    Stories about cyclists killed on our roads; the most depressing of all. Rarely is anyone held accountable for the death, and nothing is done except maybe a “Ghost Bike” is placed at the scene.

The problem is that this reporting of cycling deaths gives the impression that there is wholesale slaughter of cyclists, and that riding a bicycle on public roads and streets is only for those with some kind of death wish.

Those of us who take the time to look deeper into the issue find that cycling deaths are actually quite rare. So rare in fact that they are always reported at least in the local media.

Because of the Internet local stories go global and when one does a simple “Cycling” news search, up pops another cycling death piece.

The reality is that somewhere between 600 and 700 cyclists are killed on US roads each year; that is less than two each day. In a country with a population of 350 million, if less than 1% are riding bicycles that is several million cyclists on the road on any given day. And out of that number less than two will die.

There must be more people die from slipping in their bath tub each day. In the US between 90 and 100 people die in automobile crashes every day; these deaths do not make it into local newspapers, sadly there are just too many of them to be newsworthy.

The “Cyclist Killed,” stories stick around for several days and are reported multiple times in different newspapers and websites; then there are those from overseas. This gives the impression that there are more deaths than there actually are.

In the UK in 2010, 111 cyclists died; that is a little over two per week. I do not mean to make light of these figures, but simply to get them in perspective.

The UK has a population of 62 million, in an area of 94,060 sq. miles. Compare that to California with 163,707 sq. miles and a population of 37.7 million. Incidentally, in 2010 in California, 99 cyclists died, only slightly less than the UK.

Also when you look at statistics, the majority of people getting killed on bicycles are the ones doing all the wrong things. Riding at night without lights, riding on the wrong side of the road, or riding on the sidewalk.

In other words it is mostly the inexperienced cyclists who get themselves in trouble. Sadly, children between 6 and 14 years old are a large part of the annual figures.

Even though in many cases an automobile/bicycle crash is due to an inattentive driver; experience and defensive riding will often keep the cyclist out of danger.

And not meaning to start another helmet debate; head injury statistics are flawed because it is mostly the experienced cyclists who are wearing the helmets, but avoiding crashes in the first place. Whereas, it is the inexperienced, more accident prone riders who are not wearing helmets.

So if like me you read these daily cycling death stories, keep the facts in perspective and enjoy your ride. Let your loved ones who worry about you know that you will be fine; because I have heard that “Worry” is like praying for something you don’t want to happen.

Some more reading, facts and figures:

Pedestrian and Bike Info

A previous article I wrote

A piece about the Australian Helmet Law