Riding at (or past) the edges of daylight

[spokewench]

I agree with all of these great posts that you can't have enough lights at night. We all have to realize though that people in cars do not see you in the daylight because they are not looking for you! You are the odd "girl" out. So, you have to realize that at night YOU ARE INVISIBLE! If there is any doubt in your mind and it means stopping your bike so someone does not pull out in front of you - STOP! When I ride at night I always believe I am invisible and must take care of myself!

This attitude was reinforced and became my night riding attitude years ago when I was riding home from a tennis lesson in Castro Valley coming back to my house in San Leandro. It was dark and I had a very nice night rider front light that I used for riding mountain bikes at night so it was quite bright, I had on a reflective jacket, reflective shoes, and a rear blinking light. I was thinking oh, these people have to be idiots if they don't see me; but really people may see a blinking light or a smaller headlight and they just don't register that someone might be out riding a bike at night. You have to realize these car drivers are usually not bikers and have no idea that someone would ride at night so that don't make the connection between light and a bike coming their way.

I was the only bike/car coming down the road I was on and someone pulled directly out with me pretty much right in front of the driver side hood. My reaction was to jump my bike sideways and as I was doing this the driver must have seen me and slammed on the brakes just missing me by inches! It was a very close call and I know that this person JUST DID NOT SEE ME (or if he did, he never registered that there was actually someone riding their bike at night.

So, my warning is always believe you are invisible at night! It can save your life!

[light_sabe_r]

Hey LS - have you got a link for this headlight?? Im trying to sort through all the options at the moment as my little light just doesnt cut it.

http://www.bbbparts.com/

Click LIGHT SETS under ACCESSORIES then click on the NIGHTBEAM (BLS-17)

http://www.cecilwalker.com.au/category68_1.htm
(down bottom of the page)

[Trekhawk]

http://www.bbbparts.com/

Click LIGHT SETS under ACCESSORIES then click on the NIGHTBEAM (BLS-17)

http://www.cecilwalker.com.au/category68_1.htm
(down bottom of the page)

Thanks light.