Darkness is coming - could we have sensible front light use?
martinwilly
Posts: 63
It was a slightly murky morning today in Richmond Park but broad daylight at 7.45.
A couple of cycle commuters already had their floodlight front lights blazing.
I love the Park and I am really looking forward to commuting through there this autumn and winter.
But as with so much in London, I'm expecting my enjoyment to be crapped on by some plonkers using massive front lights and shining them full-ahead.
It's utterly unnecessary in the Park. Please, please would you be sensible and either turn it off, dim it or turn it down? It's so inconsiderate to dazzle other riders. It also ruins your own experience of the Park. The Park is light enough! It is also beautiful at night. Why ride through it in a cone of your own light?
If you agree with me and find the lights tedious, would you join me in dropping the odd word to those who don't get it?
A couple of cycle commuters already had their floodlight front lights blazing.
I love the Park and I am really looking forward to commuting through there this autumn and winter.
But as with so much in London, I'm expecting my enjoyment to be crapped on by some plonkers using massive front lights and shining them full-ahead.
It's utterly unnecessary in the Park. Please, please would you be sensible and either turn it off, dim it or turn it down? It's so inconsiderate to dazzle other riders. It also ruins your own experience of the Park. The Park is light enough! It is also beautiful at night. Why ride through it in a cone of your own light?
If you agree with me and find the lights tedious, would you join me in dropping the odd word to those who don't get it?
Would you promote cycling on your shorts as you commute? www.quickerbybike.com
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It's a noble sentiment. But, I'd imagine said nodders don't post on here. You'd have to have an actual word. Good luck with that........My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
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i think you'd better hope they dont release a new even smaller brighter unit or you might find yourself needing shades and suncream
Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.0 -
I cannot comment on the park itself because I do not know it, but I would be a bit wary of reducing my lights at night.
It's asking for trouble, an accident waiting to happen.
I agree with pointing the lights away from peoples eyeline, that's common sense and should be done everywhere, but turning it off?
Please don't think I'm having a go, because I'm not, I have probably misunderstood the original post
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[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19678066#p19678066]Snakebite the 2nd[/url] wrote:I cannot comment on the park itself because I do not know it, but I would be a bit wary of reducing my lights at night.
It's asking for trouble, an accident waiting to happen.
I agree with pointing the lights away from peoples eyeline, that's common sense and should be done everywhere, but turning it off?
Please don't think I'm having a go, because I'm not, I have probably misunderstood the original post
A lot depends on the light, I have a knog road 3 which has a full/dip function it's also more of a flood than a spot so picks out the deer better.0 -
you south Londoners and your precious park....."If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."
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My 808e and Vision 2 are on standby for the murkier times, and you've reminded me that I need to post 2 failed district 3s back to get them repaired. Also need to replace the ld1100 as it has finally broken a clip after years of steadfast service.
I must say that the R4 looks fun.Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
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you south Londoners and your precious park.....
* Agent57 likes this0 -
RP is shut to cars from dusk to dawn so you only have to be able to see other cyclists, joggers, deer, dogs, skiers and ninjas doing press ups[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19678066#p19678066]Snakebite the 2nd[/url] wrote:I cannot comment on the park itself because I do not know it, but I would be a bit wary of reducing my lights at night.
It's asking for trouble, an accident waiting to happen.
I agree with pointing the lights away from peoples eyeline, that's common sense and should be done everywhere, but turning it off?
Please don't think I'm having a go, because I'm not, I have probably misunderstood the original post0 -
The point about Richmond Park is that once you're inside it on a cloudy moonless night, there is no ambient light - it is DARK. So when an oncoming rider has these lights you're totally blinded and have to guess/remember where the road is for 50m before and after crossing paths. I often do have a word to them, but they're probably not helpful words and usually shouted.
Add to that the people who ride in the same Park darkness without lights, especially those coming down Broomfield (you sense them and hear a whoosh), and you have a recipe for some accidents.Dolan Titanium ADX 2016
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you south Londoners and your precious park.....
You would think with some of the comments that Richmond Park was the only place anyone ever rode bikes. :roll:0 -
you south Londoners and your precious park.....
You would think with some of the comments that Richmond Park was the only place anyone ever rode bikes. :roll:
We ride to and from the park as well.Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
Sun - Cervelo R3
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i'd like a fricking laser on mine
:twisted:Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.0 -
rower63 wrote:The point about Richmond Park is that once you're inside it on a cloudy moonless night, there is no ambient light - it is DARK. So when an oncoming rider has these lights you're totally blinded and have to guess/remember where the road is for 50m before and after crossing paths. I often do have a word to them, but they're probably not helpful words and usually shouted.
Add to that the people who ride in the same Park darkness without lights, especially those coming down Broomfield (you sense them and hear a whoosh), and you have a recipe for some accidents.Suspect the issue is with bikers who use cheap Cree million watt lights off ebay that blind everybody including incoming aircraft as pointed full on in your face. Not just a London thing.
So it's not the lights it's the idiots on the bikes!!
Stupid people everywhere.......... :roll: 0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19678066#p19678066]Snakebite the 2nd[/url] wrote:I cannot comment on the park itself because I do not know it, but I would be a bit wary of reducing my lights at night.
It's asking for trouble, an accident waiting to happen.
I agree with pointing the lights away from peoples eyeline, that's common sense and should be done everywhere, but turning it off?
Please don't think I'm having a go, because I'm not, I have probably misunderstood the original post
There are no cars in the Park, so it isn't dangerous. Light from London makes it easy to see without any lights at all most nights. But yes, you need a little light to make sure other riders have seen you.Would you promote cycling on your shorts as you commute? www.quickerbybike.com0 -
What about the deer? Those things absorb light. :shock:
Anyway, I can't talk. I run an exposure flare rear and front all year round. Good for deterring fairies and waking up dozy cabbies. :twisted:Kinesis Racelite 4s disc
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My 808e and Vision 2 are on standby for the murkier times, and you've reminded me that I need to post 2 failed district 3s back to get them repaired. Also need to replace the ld1100 as it has finally broken a clip after years of steadfast service.
I must say that the R4 looks fun.
Yes, I think that's got to be the primary reason commuters use massive lights when they don't need them. Because they've got them, they're fun and they want to use them.
Not really a good enough reason. London's a busy place and if people are not considerate then it can be a hateful place.Would you promote cycling on your shorts as you commute? www.quickerbybike.com0 -
It's a noble sentiment. But, I'd imagine said nodders don't post on here. You'd have to have an actual word. Good luck with that........
Yup, I always say something to the worst offenders. "Fuck off" is the standard answer, just as it is when you suggest red-light-jumping is unhelpful to cycling.
Flybys will help this year.Would you promote cycling on your shorts as you commute? www.quickerbybike.com0 -
The point about Richmond Park is that once you're inside it on a cloudy moonless night, there is no ambient light - it is DARK. So when an oncoming rider has these lights you're totally blinded and have to guess/remember where the road is for 50m before and after crossing paths. I often do have a word to them, but they're probably not helpful words and usually shouted.
Add to that the people who ride in the same Park darkness without lights, especially those coming down Broomfield (you sense them and hear a whoosh), and you have a recipe for some accidents.
Yup, that's it. But cloudless nights are rare. Really any time I have to ride towards a big front light I have to guess where the road is. I might start just riding at the lights.
I commute against the flow, so it's worse for me than for most.Would you promote cycling on your shorts as you commute? www.quickerbybike.com0 -
i'd like a ******* laser on mine
:twisted:
What for?
What on earth are those rules in your signature?Would you promote cycling on your shorts as you commute? www.quickerbybike.com0 -
Disagree. Only a little way into the park on a cloudy moonless night it's pitch black. And being dazzled and not knowing where the edge of the road is is made more dangerous by the wooden post-ends lining the edge of the road for most of the Park. Touch the verge having been dazzled, and you may easily pitch down into one or two of those - doesn't bear thinking about. Those posts are several feet long, but only the last few inches protrudes above ground. And I have grace-of-god missed deer on the road on a few occasions. In addition plenty of people seem to ride without lights, and they're totally invisible.There are no cars in the Park, so it isn't dangerous. Light from London makes it easy to see without any lights at all most nights...Dolan Titanium ADX 2016
Ridley Noah FAST 2013
Bottecchia/Campagnolo 1990
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Hoy Sa Calobra 002 2014 [off duty]
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[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19678219#p19678219]Snakebite the 2nd[/url] wrote:rower63 wrote:The point about Richmond Park is that once you're inside it on a cloudy moonless night, there is no ambient light - it is DARK. So when an oncoming rider has these lights you're totally blinded and have to guess/remember where the road is for 50m before and after crossing paths. I often do have a word to them, but they're probably not helpful words and usually shouted.
Add to that the people who ride in the same Park darkness without lights, especially those coming down Broomfield (you sense them and hear a whoosh), and you have a recipe for some accidents.Suspect the issue is with bikers who use cheap Cree million watt lights off ebay that blind everybody including incoming aircraft as pointed full on in your face. Not just a London thing.
So it's not the lights it's the idiots on the bikes!!
Stupid people everywhere.......... :roll:
I, and Victor Meldrew, agree. Big front lights have their place. That place is fast, rooty singletrack descents, not benign suburban parks.
I get it that a big front light adds to the sense of adventure and they are great toys. They really are great toys! But they are not appropriate in Richmond Park.Would you promote cycling on your shorts as you commute? www.quickerbybike.com0 -
i'd like a ******* laser on mine
:twisted:
What for?
What on earth are those rules in your signature?
Enjoy
http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.0 -
I understand wanting a bright light to pick out obstacles but what I really don't get is why anyone would set it on flash/strobe. Unless of course they are on mind altering drugs then it would probably be quite a trippy senation...0
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[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19678219#p19678219]Snakebite the 2nd[/url] wrote:rower63 wrote:The point about Richmond Park is that once you're inside it on a cloudy moonless night, there is no ambient light - it is DARK. So when an oncoming rider has these lights you're totally blinded and have to guess/remember where the road is for 50m before and after crossing paths. I often do have a word to them, but they're probably not helpful words and usually shouted.
Add to that the people who ride in the same Park darkness without lights, especially those coming down Broomfield (you sense them and hear a whoosh), and you have a recipe for some accidents.Suspect the issue is with bikers who use cheap Cree million watt lights off ebay that blind everybody including incoming aircraft as pointed full on in your face. Not just a London thing.
So it's not the lights it's the idiots on the bikes!!
Stupid people everywhere.......... :roll:
I, and Victor Meldrew, agree. Big front lights have their place. That place is fast, rooty singletrack descents, not benign suburban parks.
I get it that a big front light adds to the sense of adventure and they are great toys. They really are great toys! But they are not appropriate in Richmond Park.
I agree that seeing the road/path even with blinkies isn't difficult, But Both Richmond and Bushy have Deer which are remarkably good at not being seen, and being big/fast and at times aggressive having advance warning of them is useful.
RP has ninja bikes/runners/rollerbladers/dog walkers etc again it's useful to have advance warning so you don't just come upon them.
yes folks aim them up can be blinding but peoples reasons for wanting decent lights in Bushy/Richmond are sound.0 -
I understand wanting a bright light to pick out obstacles but what I really don't get is why anyone would set it on flash/strobe. Unless of course they are on mind altering drugs then it would probably be quite a trippy senation...
I assume that's because they have been in the surrounding streets where flash is more catching, how people see anything with the light set like that in the parks, there is a guy I meet now and then who does this, I have been known not to dip at this point...0 -
I shout "dip your f-ing light, you f-ing tw@t" at them. If enough of us committed to doing that it might help.Merckx EMX 5
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You would be better off screaming "I CAN'T SEE" and playing chicken.I shout "dip your f-ing light, you f-ing tw@t" at them. If enough of us committed to doing that it might help.The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
I shout "dip your f-ing light, you f-ing tw@t" at them. If enough of us committed to doing that it might help.
That's what I was hoping for. A movement to engender decent behaviour amongst other riders. If more sensible people made their objections known, maybe an established norm of considerate behaviour would take shape.Would you promote cycling on your shorts as you commute? www.quickerbybike.com0 -
You would be better off screaming "I CAN'T SEE" and playing chicken.I shout "dip your f-ing light, you f-ing tw@t" at them. If enough of us committed to doing that it might help.
Oddly enough, that is precisely what I often do shout. As yet I've been too chicken to play chicken.Would you promote cycling on your shorts as you commute? www.quickerbybike.com0 -
You lose.
You would be better off screaming "I CAN'T SEE" and playing chicken.I shout "dip your f-ing light, you f-ing tw@t" at them. If enough of us committed to doing that it might help.
Oddly enough, that is precisely what I often do shout. As yet I've been too chicken to play chicken.The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0
