Risking an accident through your own negligence.
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Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby looseleftie » Mon Mar 06, 2017 10:01 pm
I am just wondering why I am seeing this when I ride in the mornings.. we are talking early mornings, often before sunrise.. I can't believe seeing cyclists ride without lights, wearing the latest dark as F**k super hot looking kit.. I just don't get it!!!!... Riding on the roads is dangerous enough without increasing the risk of personal injury..
I regularly see riders without front light, no tail light, and/or dark clothing.... Some of these guys are strong and fast riders.. When a car is pulling out of a street, I'm guessing the last thing the driver is thinking about is whether theres a almost non visible cyclist travelling beyong 30+ Kph across their path...I ride at that speed, but always think defensively when riding. I have a great flashing strong light, flashing powerful light at rear and some kind of fluro/reflective clothing on.
Black doesn't make u faster, just more susceptible to injury!
Is this just me???????
Passed a bloke, no front light at all this morning...
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby Duck! » Mon Mar 06, 2017 10:32 pm
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby g-boaf » Tue Mar 07, 2017 5:51 am
Clothing colour pretty much does nothing, because even with bright colours people still don't see it, even in day light. Lights are a better bet.looseleftie wrote:Good evening all,
I am just wondering why I am seeing this when I ride in the mornings.. we are talking early mornings, often before sunrise.. I can't believe seeing cyclists ride without lights, wearing the latest dark as F**k super hot looking kit.. I just don't get it!!!!... Riding on the roads is dangerous enough without increasing the risk of personal injury..
I regularly see riders without front light, no tail light, and/or dark clothing.... Some of these guys are strong and fast riders.. When a car is pulling out of a street, I'm guessing the last thing the driver is thinking about is whether theres a almost non visible cyclist travelling beyong 30+ Kph across their path...I ride at that speed, but always think defensively when riding. I have a great flashing strong light, flashing powerful light at rear and some kind of fluro/reflective clothing on.
Black doesn't make u faster, just more susceptible to injury!
Is this just me???????
Passed a bloke, no front light at all this morning...
I've noticed some pedestrians walking about with small lights in early morning or late at night- it's a great idea. More of them should do that. Makes them easier to see.
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby fat and old » Tue Mar 07, 2017 7:27 am
The only thing that upsets me about this is that maybe one day I'll hit/be hit by one, while driving. Being a strong believer in personal responsibility makes it hard to sympathise.
Ped and pet lights are grouse.
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby RobertL » Tue Mar 07, 2017 12:04 pm
Pedestrians with lights is a great idea. I saw a woman walking along a dark shared path* a while ago with her mobile phone in her hand with the screen lit. Not using her torch app, just the light of the screen. It made her extremely visible.
* Behind Brisbane Grammar - for those who know it. AKA Moaning Myrtle's Meander on Strava.
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby Mububban » Tue Mar 07, 2017 1:53 pm
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby Thoglette » Tue Mar 07, 2017 2:21 pm
While I'm not a fan of bike ninjas it remains the responsibility of the operator of a motor vehicle to drive in a manner such that they can see and avoid all obstacles on the road.looseleftie wrote: I can't believe seeing cyclists ride without lights, wearing the latest dark as F**k super hot looking kit.. I just don't get it!!!!... Riding on the roads is dangerous enough without increasing the risk of personal injury..
Including fallen trees, small children, dogs, cattle, pedestrians, sea containers, parked trucks, road works and, yes, even bike ninjas.
Even if the last three items do have requirements for lights and/or reflectors that, if absent, be used as a "contributory negligence" item in court.
from Don't be a bike ninja (Pedal fort collins)
"People are worthy of respect, ideas are not." Peter Ellerton, UQ
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby Harrys767 » Tue Mar 07, 2017 3:01 pm
It reminds me of the anti vaccer movement, with similar levels of stupidity.
After that poor woman was hit and killed while riding in a strung out group near Pymble, I immediately went out and purchased an additional set of front and rear lights. Overkill...maybe? I know I have to 'go out' at some point, but I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure it doesn't happen on my bike.
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby Scott No Mates » Tue Mar 07, 2017 7:42 pm
My preference is to flash as you are 'different' to a car or motorcycle.
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby Harrys767 » Tue Mar 07, 2017 7:52 pm
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby StevOz » Tue Mar 07, 2017 8:40 pm
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby eeksll » Tue Mar 07, 2017 9:49 pm
what where the details? Was lights really an issue? would it have made a difference?Harrys767 wrote:Just as concerning is the incidence of riders within a group, where they actually have lights on their bike (mostly), but don't have them switched on.
It reminds me of the anti vaccer movement, with similar levels of stupidity.
After that poor woman was hit and killed while riding in a strung out group near Pymble, I immediately went out and purchased an additional set of front and rear lights. Overkill...maybe? I know I have to 'go out' at some point, but I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure it doesn't happen on my bike.
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby ironhanglider » Tue Mar 07, 2017 9:58 pm
Cheers,
Cameron
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby WyvernRH » Tue Mar 07, 2017 10:03 pm
Yes, but no.... Reflective is very good but if not a lot of light is shining on you (car driver looking sideways) not always a lot of help. From work I have been involved in approaching this from the other end (ie how to make people LESS visible) I probably say that matt finish gear is less visible than gloss at night if you are not illuminated, gloss black can seem to 'hide' in direct illumination. Rounded shapes like rider bodies are bad at returning light, sharp angles stand out. Reflective stuff stands out like dogs round things (especially Scotch Tape) in illumination. Some of the modern multi-angle tapes are spectacular at returning light from many angles. Good for being seen from an angle using spilled light (see first point).RobertL wrote:If it's night time, clothing colour makes very little difference. What does make a difference is reflected light, and most cycling gear has reflective tabs or seams built into them. They do make a difference.
The current fashion (it seems) in having jazzy shirts that emulate dispersion camouflage is NOT a good thing in any sort of light.
Movement and light stands out. In our case pedal reflectors, reflective shoes bits etc.
Good set of flashing lights will get attention every time. Not much good to see where you are going in the pitch dark however
RobertL's point about trying to use clothing with reflective tape included is a good one but really you need a good multi-angle tape, not the cheap stuff.
Richard
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby Harrys767 » Wed Mar 08, 2017 7:52 am
The investigation will reveal all of the details, but as a vulnerable road user (let's face it, a carbon frame and lycra isn't going to save me) it's all about incremental risk reduction. Lights are a pretty big factor in that.what where the details? Was lights really an issue? would it have made a difference?
Re flashing lights in a bunch, I agree totally. Steady lights are better than no lights though!
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby g-boaf » Wed Mar 08, 2017 9:23 am
Also same with riders in the middle of a group having bright rear lights. That's incredibly annoying / can make it hard to see things too. If I'm in the middle of a bunch or have someone following me, I'll turn my rear light off. If I'm riding on the road, then it stays on regardless.ironhanglider wrote:Flashing lights in a group can be intensely annoying. I've known groups to have a steady lights only rule.
Cheers,
Cameron
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby Thoglette » Fri Mar 10, 2017 1:20 am
There, fixed it for you.ironhanglider wrote:Flashing lights are intensely annoying
Flashing lights only are for emergency vehicles.
And the ADRs say so. So there.
"People are worthy of respect, ideas are not." Peter Ellerton, UQ
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby WyvernRH » Fri Mar 10, 2017 8:52 am
Flashing lights on a bicycle are legal in NSW at least:Thoglette wrote:There, fixed it for you.ironhanglider wrote:Flashing lights are intensely
Flashing lights only are for emergency vehicles.
And the ADRs say so. So there.
259 Riding at night
The rider of a bicycle must not ride at night, or in hazardous weather conditions causing reduced visibility, unless the bicycle, or the rider, displays:
(a) a flashing or steady white light that is clearly visible for at least 200 metres from the front of the bicycle, and
(b) a flashing or steady red light that is clearly visible for at least 200 metres from the rear of the bicycle, and
(c) a red reflector that is clearly visible for at least 50 metres from the rear of the bicycle when light is projected onto it by a vehicle’s headlight on low-beam.
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby hamishm » Fri Mar 10, 2017 11:10 am
I hate 'em in a bunch too, and they're banned on some Audax events like PBP.Thoglette wrote:Flashing lights only are for emergency vehicles.
Flashing lights are definitely more noticeable to drivers in daytime / twilight conditions though.
https://www.trekbikes.com/au/en_AU/dayt ... ng_lights/
Having recently been rear-ended by a driver during the day, I've got a new tail light with daytime running mode coming. Might not have helped me but it couldn't hurt.
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby khendar » Fri Mar 10, 2017 11:21 am
During the day I run flashing lights front and back, at night I have steady front and flashing rear.
People still seem to have trouble seeing me in broad daylight.
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby Mububban » Fri Mar 10, 2017 11:44 am
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby bychosis » Fri Mar 10, 2017 11:47 am
For a vehicle that might pull out in front of me it signals a motorbike to them and they are more likely to wait. If it is a flasher, it signals 'slow bicycle' and I feel they are more likely to pull out.
Also, my 'to see with' light is far to bright for strobe, it makes it harder for me to see with reflective signs flashing back at me, especially the bigger ones.
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby fat and old » Fri Mar 10, 2017 12:49 pm
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby Duck! » Fri Mar 10, 2017 2:04 pm
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Re: Risking an accident through your own negligence.
Postby Rural Rider » Fri Mar 10, 2017 3:27 pm
RR
2016 Specialized Allez e5 Sport
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