Cyclists without lights - give a bad name to all cyclists

alfablue

EssieP wrote:

"Cyclists without lights - give a bad name to all cyclists"
RUBBISH!
They give a bad name to cyclists without lights, not the rest of us.

I resent being blamed for the behaviour of negligent/careless/stupid/criminal cyclists.

Me too!

You CANNOT blame me for an offense caused by someone else.

but an irrational motorist (of which I suggest there are a few) will, be they right or wrong, and they will generalise this so that they can rationalise their poor treatment of us all.

EssieP

I raised this point after watching that BBC dcumentary last night - "War on Britain's Roads". BBC-1, see it on iPlayer.

alfablue

seen it, and I think the bad attitude of some motorists to cyclists illustrate my point.

markchalmers

Hi guys I have an issue and would like some advice,

I have forgotten my bikes front light (morning rush ) and I'm not sure if I should make the 12 mile commute without having a front light?

the First 2 miles are on a country lane with no lights and this is what worrys me I have a good back light and a reflective jacket but hey are only going to get me so far.

EssieP

markchalmers wrote:

Hi guys I have an issue and would like some advice,

I have forgotten my bikes front light (morning rush ) and I'm not sure if I should make the 12 mile commute without having a front light?

the First 2 miles are on a country lane with no lights and this is what worrys me I have a good back light and a reflective jacket but hey are only going to get me so far.

Are you still alive, or did you walk home?

markchalmers

Got a lift of my line manager I don't want to be one of the "bad" cyclist and I've got to think about other peoples safety.

alfablue

how about getting a small spare set that you can keep in your work bag for such eventualities? My g/f got the Lezyne Femto set to keep in her bag. They are 20% off at Rutland Cycling with this code 'LEZYNE20' (ends today).

markchalmers

How strong are they, my main issue would be trying to avoid the mass amount of pot holes on the way out of the 2 mile stretch of forest.

alfablue

markchalmers wrote:

How strong are they, my main issue would be trying to avoid the mass amount of pot holes on the way out of the 2 mile stretch of forest.

They are strictly "be seen" lights, they won't help you see much; anything that will suit unlit roads will be big and therefore less likely to be spares that you carry around all the time "just in case".

Blue Meanie

alfablue wrote:

markchalmers wrote:

How strong are they, my main issue would be trying to avoid the mass amount of pot holes on the way out of the 2 mile stretch of forest.

They are strictly "be seen" lights, they won't help you see much; anything that will suit unlit roads will be big and therefore less likely to be spares that you carry around all the time "just in case".

They also last about 10 hours on a set of non-rechargables and don't have light exiting from the side - so basically useless, cute though.

alfablue

Point is, they're backup, so keep in your bag. Keep a rechargeable battery in your bag for 6 months and don't expect any juice after 6 months!

agg25

Planet X skull type LED on the front of the helmet (£1.50) and the back, also one on the handlebars and one on the backpack. 120db air horn on the handlebars if they still don't see. Sorted.
Although I think you're just as stupid, if not more, for riding without a helmet, one fukup and your head will crack like an egg.

CarlosDSanchez

Well I just saw one of these dudes knocked off on a roundabout in Norwich. He got up and apologized to the driver (he was taking the third exit and riding in the gutter of the left hand lane as well) Hopefully he'll invest in some lights now. Disagree with the whole no lights gives us a bad name, bit to Daily Hale really. There are plenty of dumb drivers who don't use lights/wear seatbelts/speed/jump red lights etc etc doesn't make me think they're all twats though, just some of them.

centimani

CarlosDSanchez wrote:

Well I just saw one of these dudes knocked off on a roundabout in Norwich. He got up and apologized to the driver (he was taking the third exit and riding in the gutter of the left hand lane as well) Hopefully he'll invest in some lights now. Disagree with the whole no lights gives us a bad name, bit to Daily Hale really. There are plenty of dumb drivers who don't use lights/wear seatbelts/speed/jump red lights etc etc doesn't make me think they're all twats though, just some of them.

Agreed.
Improper use of lights (foglights on all the time seems to have become 'cool'...the tw@ts/
Cyclops drivers, one headlight out. Apparently someone excused it by raising the fact that some headlights can cost £200 plus to replace. TOUGH...shouldnt have brought the car in the first place, no excuse.
Red light gamblers...this has become a real problem where i live.
Tailgaters...idiots.
I'm no perfect driver, but i won't be an apologist for bad cyc;ists. They're tw@ts, just as many drivers are.

ben@31

Hey, I even use lights during the day. But then I have a fear of getting run over.

Anyone from Leeds? I've spent Christmas and New Year there and was shocked at the amount of cyclists in Leeds city centre with

-No helmet
-No lights
-No reflectives
-Dark clothes
-On one of the most busiest roads I've seen.

When I was in Leeds, I had a look in a cycle store. My eyes were that dazzled by an Altura Night Vision Evo Jacket, that I bought one. And the Altura night vision bib tights too.

ricky1980

RobertSims wrote:

Evolution will get its way - stupid people will get run over! Just hope don't drag me into it though! Complete numpties

LOL brilliant comment, really funny rant for the OP

EH_Rob

This thread reminds me of the Daily Mail. Get a grip for gods sake.