Night Cyclist Visibility: Driver's Eye View

[kfergos]

I haven't driven a car at night in quite a while, but now that it's getting dark out, I have a question for those of you who do drive more often: When you drive by a cyclist out at night, what things are most visible?

I'm thinking from a "what should I invest in more of" perspective: Reflectors everywhere? Or more blinky lights? What's most eye-catching as a driver?

[Biciclista]

both! we have blinkys everywhere AND reflector tape. We bought the reflector tape at a marine supply and put it all over helmets, bike, and bike gear.

And remember, a car's lights aren't always going to be on you, so you must be lit up yourself.

[7rider]

I'd say "both" too.
And, one thing I'm always struck by (not literally!) is how DIM some cyclists' tail lights are. If you are going to put a light on the bike...be sure to check it every so often...make sure it's not obstructed...and make sure it is BRIGHT (replace those batteries if it's getting dim...or get a more modern light that is brighter). DH and I will check lights and reflectivity on the bike in a darkened room (the laundry room or garage, usually), and take spins down the neighborhood street to get a "real road" test every so often.

[kfergos]

I, too, have lots of both. I can, on my own, light up an entire two-lane road, edge to edge.

I'm really more curious what drivers notice as most attention-getting of all the stuff out there. Also, I'll add this question about placement of stuff: Where are reflectors and lights most effective from a driver's perspective?

[Bluetree]

Good lights are worth the investment. I was hesitant to spend the $$$ on a rear Dinotte, but since then I've had tons of cyclists/drivers/peds come up to me and remark how visible I am.



Up front, I have a TriNewt and a Dinotte helmet light for good measure.

The Nathan reflectors work well from the side. I'm less confident about the Lightweights tape/reflectors. I did some experimenting in pitch darkness and they are considerably less visible than the Nathans.

EDIT: Nathan also makes Reflex wristcuffs in the above material that is super-reflective (TE doesn't carry them). They are self-wrapping and have no velcro, which is nice as they don't mess up the sleeves on your jerseys. They also make the L.E.D. bands

[Becky]

Also, I'll add this question about placement of stuff: Where are reflectors and lights most effective from a driver's perspective?

Anything that moves. Wheels, and crankarms are good "bang for the buck" because the movement catches your eye. I have reflective tape all over my crankarms and Lightweights (lightweights.org) on my spokes.

[dachshund]

A red light on the back of the helmet gets my attention, especially if there are cars, etc., blocking my view of the rest of the bike and rider. The reflective strips stand out well. I'm sure the blinking lights get people's attention, but I imagine they're annoying if they're too bright.

[Eden]

One place most cyclists are missing visibility is from the side! I worry a whole lot more about someone pulling into me out of side street than being hit from behind. This year I got some TireSparx - they are blinky LED lights that screw onto your valve stems. They add a lot of side visibility. I gave some to my husband too and he's had several cyclists and even a driver comment about how noticeable they are. Not only that, they are relatively cheap. Two sets, plus valve stem adapters (they come threaded only for schrader valves, so you have to get schrader to presta adapters) cost me under $25 and they each came with an extra set of batteries.

For the past two years I've gotten together with a bunch of other cyclists and we've compared lights/reflectors to see what works and what doesn't. Those Dinotte rear blinkers are very bright! Some of the other things we've determined:

you definitely need both lights and reflectors - reflectors have to have a light shining on them to be seen, lights can be much less effective when there is ambient light (cars and streetlights)

most people have all of their lights down low - having some lighting on your upper body is good too - it gives a better impression of your size and shape to drivers.

Point your headlight at the ground - its no good to blind everyone with it (especially other cyclists...) and the beam on the ground is actually a good cue for others to see you are coming.

Check your LED batteries often - its no good if the blinker is so weak that no one can see it, and make sure you aren't blocking it with your trunk rack, back pack, etc.

white/yellow/light colored clothing really does little to increase your night time visibility - don't rely on it to keep you safe.

oh and one observation I've made recently- I cross a bridge on which the bike traffic goes both ways with auto traffic on my left coming towards me. When cyclists are backlit, they can be very invisible!! even with lighting, though a bright headlight, especially a blinking one, helps a lot. You'll also be lit like this if someone is turning out of a side street - they may very well see the car headlights and miss you in the mix... so be careful when you see a turning car, they may really not be able to see you.

[Geonz]

I have SpokeLits in my wheels ... only problem is I forget to turn them off, and so it seems the batteries didn't last verylong. Going to replace them (but they cost almost as much as the spokelits whihc are only about seven bucks) and see how long they last.

[Eden]

TireSparx are motion activated and turn off less than 30 seconds after you stop moving - pretty cool and saves the batteries.

[lph]

This is a really good thread! Second the be seen from the side (roundabouts... *shudder*) and anything moving. I'm not a big fan of the ultra-strong lights, I've met too many cyclists that I thought could be motorcyclists or insane car drivers with one working headlamp, on the bike path...

[Tokie]

I used to ride in to work in total darkness. In addition to a small front light on my handlebars and a red flashing light on my trunk, my secret weapon was a us coast guard approved waterproof strobe light attached around my upper arm on the traffic side with a velcro strap.(the kind you would activate after abandoning ship, bobbing in the ocean in your life vest) That thing has an incredibly bright and frequent flash. It was great on my dark and lonely ride into work - cars would give me WIDE berth (I think they couldn't tell exactly what I was, but they could see me from a long ways away and they would give me plenty of room, never a close call) However in traffic, I think it would probably be a dangerous distraction. My commute takes me an hour where I live now. Somehow leaving the house at 515 am does not appeal....Tokie

[7rider]

Where are reflectors and lights most effective from a driver's perspective?

Well, not quite a driver's perspective...but speaking from a cyclist riding up a hill a bit behind another cyclist in a residential neighborhood......
The first thing I noticed on this guy was a flashing light on his helmet. It was up high and very visible.

Hmmmm...I just uglied up my helmet with reflective stickers last night...perhaps I'll have to see how I can attach a light to my helmet, too.

[indigoiis]

I got a cheapo hiker's headlamp from Job lot and zip tied it to my helmet for winter - what's nice is when my head moves, the light moves. I also have a headlight on the bike, and a red taillight, and reflective tape all over the place. If I'm going on the long commute, I'll wear a mini mag flashlight on a necklace over my back - it illuminates my high-vis jacket (which has reflective piping) and my bag, which also has reflectors. I also wear reflective ankle straps.

It's still not enough.

But I'll tell you, we drove on Halloween out to Western CT on route 44 - a "country drive" on our way to a b&b weekend. A few country towns were having Halloween events for kids and there were trick-or-treaters all over the place. You just can't see people. They just blended right in with the trees, parked cars, whatever. Put refective tape on your kids' Halloween costumes, PLEASE!

[Eden]

My night commute supplies...
2 valve stem LED's - green
1 red rear flasher/reflector combo
DOT grade red reflective tape on my fender
1 red flasher on my messenger bag
strip of reflective material - bottom of messenger bag
1 white flasher on my messenger bag
1 strip of silver reflective material on messenger bag strap
1 steady white headlight
1 flashing white headlight
1 reflective leg band
reflective material on the heels of my shoes/shoe covers