tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post3450787509619020845..comments2024-02-24T06:21:30.987+01:00Comments on A view from the cycle path: Night ridingDavid Hembrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543024940730663645noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-46993819821634598782008-11-08T23:05:00.000+01:002008-11-08T23:05:00.000+01:00I should perhaps point out that I used to obsess s...I should perhaps point out that I used to obsess somewhat about lights when I lived in the UK, and I made <A HREF="http://hembrow.eu/oldpage/light" REL="nofollow">very bright lights</A> for my commuting bike a few years back. I also wore fluorescents and retroreflective stuff after dark. It all made sense in that context.<BR/><BR/>Anneke, yes that probably was me. There is this awful fact that David Hembrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14543024940730663645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-43554862813354010452008-11-08T22:37:00.000+01:002008-11-08T22:37:00.000+01:00The British are fond of bright and blinking lights...The British are fond of bright and blinking lights (Manchester's Xmas street lights have already been switched on). This fondness extends to cycling, it seems - if I don't look like a blooming Xmas tree, I'm in danger!. I now carry 3 rear lights and two front ones. And a reflective vest, which I deploy after dark or if it is too mucky/rainy.cocosolishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17040377173478647027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-30576436452161926102008-11-08T20:49:00.000+01:002008-11-08T20:49:00.000+01:00:D I can't remember who said it, but I remember so...:D I can't remember who said it, but I remember someone commenting on the English speaking countries and a possible relation to the lack of bicycles? ;) Was that you David? <BR/><BR/>If you have a infrasructure to cycle people use it, and if cyclists do not leave their homes after the sun sets, the country would come to a standstill in winter.Annekehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13303232666607267415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-28878366138444328222008-11-08T17:38:00.000+01:002008-11-08T17:38:00.000+01:00You're both describing the sort of situations whic...You're both describing the sort of situations which are the reason why there is so little cycling in North America.<BR/><BR/>Those things simply don't tend to happen in the Netherlands.<BR/><BR/>There's really no substitute for having infrastructure which makes cyclists safe, and what's more makes <A HREF="http://hembrow.blogspot.com/2008/09/three-types-of-safety.html" REL="nofollow">everyone David Hembrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14543024940730663645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-55578833189595215142008-11-08T17:19:00.000+01:002008-11-08T17:19:00.000+01:00Even in this North American city of 120,000 people...Even in this North American city of 120,000 people, I've had a few close calls with cars in the dark - mostly oncoming traffic who make a left turn.<BR/><BR/>Once a car turned in front of me. I hit the back of the car and rolled on the road. I had been using steady beams on my lights rather than blinking, because I thought blinking lights were illegal and reserved for emergency uses.<BR/><BR/>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-22290878546974928972008-11-07T22:12:00.000+01:002008-11-07T22:12:00.000+01:00Even in Jacksonville FL, I felt safe to ride to Do...Even in Jacksonville FL, I felt safe to ride to Downtown at night. I chose empty roads on my 22.5 km trip. It added .6 km to my trip compared to a conventional route on a busier road. <BR/><BR/>Controlling the lane and moving over to the center of the lane at traffic lights kept me visible and safe. I do have a fairly powerful blinky (Blackburn Mars 2.0) and a decently powerful head light (cant Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com