[SDCBC] Bike mantra: If it's night [or there's traffic then anytime], use...

[William McHargue]

On Dec 30, 2007, at 9:50, Jon wrote:

> A couple of thoughts:
>
> - Bright head lamps require batteries.  I need the battery for the  
> ride home in the evening.

Yes, they are battery operated. We can discuss implementation apart  
from the importance of using them. If one rides on a regular basis  
then rechargeable batteries are a must. I keep a charger at work. I  
recognize that the typical front light sold today for bikes borders on  
useless except for being seen at night. But if more people demand  
better rechargeable lights then better products at lower price points  
should follow.


>  I like to be seen but I am not depending on it.  I think the key to  
> being seen is road positioning.
> - If I am riding along a street with Park Cars, I position myself in  
> the roadway so that a car entering the road from the right can  
> clearly see me and doesn't need to be looking through the windows of  
> the parked cars to see me.

There are very many factors in riding safely. When I (and I might  
assume others) post suggestions here for a safety-related tip, it is  
not at the exclusion of all the other common sense suggestions that  
have gone before.

This thread was on lights. Of course road positioning is important,  
but there are frequent situations where riding as far to the left of  
your lane still makes you only visible through parked cars' glass.  
(Washington Ave. in Hillcrest for example). Drivers often inch their  
way out into the lane to try to see through, then around, parked cars  
and any advantage is a good thing. Unless they are driving a VW bus or  
one of those driver-over-wheel short trucks, it is impossible at times  
to not have to look through windows to see oncoming traffic even while  
your vehicle is protruding into the lane. Panel vans parked near  
intersections are extremely hazardous. (There should be much longer  
red-curbs adjacent to alleys and cross streets.)

And this was only one example situation. Just because one is in the  
"line of sight" of another driver does not mean they register in their  
split-second decisions. When riding motorcycles--with headlights  
blazing--cars frequently make left turns into your on-coming traffic  
lane. I would love to see some statistically valid numbers relating  
how many of such accidents involved motorcycles with and without their  
headlights on. If I were to guess, fewer with headlights on. Bikes are  
slower, yes, but I believe lights are still a great help.


Regards,

Bill.
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