Cycling in Melbourne Australia
Headlights and other weapons of retinal destruction.
Just a bit of a grumble, and in most cases, a bit too much headlight is better than not enough, but can people run a cheap LED blinker as a low beam as well their Nightsun aircarft landing light high beams when on shared pathways, please?!
On road, you only need to be seen from a distance of 300m and street lighting gives a decent view of most roads. A $6 blinker will work fine as a low beam, using your eye surgery lasers is then only necessary when it's really dark and nobody's about - country roads or night time MTB come to mind, even then some sort of low beam is a good idea.
I was walking along St Kilda Beach shared path last night and I've still got blue flares in the middle of my vision this morning from all the SETI project optical signalling gear on people's handlebars.
Rant over, time to visit my opthalmologist.
On road, you only need to be seen from a distance of 300m and street lighting gives a decent view of most roads. A $6 blinker will work fine as a low beam, using your eye surgery lasers is then only necessary when it's really dark and nobody's about - country roads or night time MTB come to mind, even then some sort of low beam is a good idea.
I was walking along St Kilda Beach shared path last night and I've still got blue flares in the middle of my vision this morning from all the SETI project optical signalling gear on people's handlebars.
Rant over, time to visit my opthalmologist.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Adrian Tritschler on -
That's a guaranteed way of starting an argument. I completely agree, but every time I've ever mentioned this I get screamed at and shouted down. The general attitude seems to be the same one displayed by people who drive around with their fog lights or high beams on - a case of "Stuff you jack, I'm alright"
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Permalink Reply by Steve Jay on -
"Hello, I'd like to buy an argument..." :-)
I hasten to add that I've used high intensity lighting in the past and found it just made me a menace to drivers, weighed too much and was a pain to keep charged up, but that's just my story. I'm keen to hear others' experiences - giving or taking a blinding beam.
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Permalink Reply by Forest Lake on -
love the rant Steve!
what ever happened to common sense? instead of looking "cool" and looking like you ride for a team all dressed up in your lycra, why not chuck on the good old reflective vest as i do at night and have traffic avoid you like the plague?
i think the ones on bike paths with their 1000 candle power lights are the same ones who drive during the day with their parking lights on and a hat on the rear parcel shelf ;-p
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Permalink Reply by Cory on -
Reflective surfaces on pedals and/or shoes work most effectively (yeah, there was a study, CBFed looking it up). And, many/most commuter bikes have them as a matter of course. I don't ever feel the need to don a vest, although my bike(s) do have reflecto, as does my helmets and my standard winter jacket does too.
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Permalink Reply by Justin Jolley on -
I agree. I've got a cheap 10 dollar front LED light which i purchased off ebay. It does the job for when i rarely ride at night time. It's pretty bright and lights up what i need to see when i'm riding on the paths. I've screwed the mount on not super tight so when another cyclists comes my way i can dip it down slightly so i'm safe from blinding them. It's just common courtesy.
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Permalink Reply by Alan Tonkin on -
Something I grumble about too Steve. Riding Audax I know the need for powerful lights (downhills on country roads at 80plus with wild life about) with long burn time (up to 4 nights and no recharging), but from personal on road commuting experience a super bright static light at night in traffic isn't as effective as a good blinker to be seen and off road super bright lights are over the top for the safe lower speeds most shared paths will permit (poor sight lines and other users). Helmet mounted lights are my chief grumble. A great bit of kit for off road mountain biking enduros where all riders are cycling in the same direction, but on shared paths with opposing riders and other users on a narrow windy path with poor edging a definite no-no. I have asked light manufacturers like Ay-Up to put an advisory notice on their products in relation to their use on shared paths, but to no effect. I have also thought of asking helmet manufacturers to put an advisory on their products as any light mounted on a helmet (except maybe single LEDs in the vents) compromises the helmet to provide protection. I would be dead if I had had a helmet mounted light. It would have been driven into my skull. On-road helmet mounted lights are a safety issue too. Which other 'vehicle' on the road is permitted to have a moveable high powered front light? None - for good reason. Burning the eyeballs of another user is obviously dangerous. Light design in most cases don't seem to help as most do not have an easily accessible switch. Personally I commute with one strong blinker and a strong handlebar mounted torch (220lm) both with button switches on the end of the barrels which my thumbs can reach from the grips to switch the the blinker thru flash and static and the torch on/off. Like high and low beam on a car they need to be properly/safely aligned :)
Thanks for the soapbox.
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