zespectre
Flashlight Enthusiast
I never thought this would be a topic I felt like addressing but in a way I suppose it is a compliment to the advances in technology.
I am GLAD to see cyclists (especially bicycle commuters) using active lighting on their rides, especially as it starts gets dark earlier. Reflectors are better than nothing but don't hold a candle to having blinking red light(s) on the rear, some sort of side markers (I love the wheel spoke lights) and white lights on the front. However, we do seem to have crossed a threshold of sorts wherein the handlebar and head mounted lights some cyclists are using are WELL into, or past, automobile headlight territory in terms of lumen output.
I have been dazzled by a few cyclists recently but there is one bike-guy in particular who has this 5 LED monster light on his bike (it's got to be Cree based) that is aimed pretty-much dead level with a seated driver. I don't want to blow this out of proportion but after our third encounter I feel like it might be time to have some discussion about "Flashlight Etiquette" for Cyclists.
The owner of one of the local bike shops chuckled at first, but has agreed that it could be a good topic at their monthly club meeting but I wanted to throw out my ideas (and get your input) before I try to put together my talking points.
My thoughts right now;
Thanks for your thoughts.
Ze
I am GLAD to see cyclists (especially bicycle commuters) using active lighting on their rides, especially as it starts gets dark earlier. Reflectors are better than nothing but don't hold a candle to having blinking red light(s) on the rear, some sort of side markers (I love the wheel spoke lights) and white lights on the front. However, we do seem to have crossed a threshold of sorts wherein the handlebar and head mounted lights some cyclists are using are WELL into, or past, automobile headlight territory in terms of lumen output.
I have been dazzled by a few cyclists recently but there is one bike-guy in particular who has this 5 LED monster light on his bike (it's got to be Cree based) that is aimed pretty-much dead level with a seated driver. I don't want to blow this out of proportion but after our third encounter I feel like it might be time to have some discussion about "Flashlight Etiquette" for Cyclists.
The owner of one of the local bike shops chuckled at first, but has agreed that it could be a good topic at their monthly club meeting but I wanted to throw out my ideas (and get your input) before I try to put together my talking points.
My thoughts right now;
- I want to address this as a safety issue, I don't want to be a jerk about it.
- My main focus regarding etiquette is on the white, high powered, front facing lights.
- I wanted to make the distinction between "lights to see with" (constant on) and "lights to be seen" (strobes/flashers)
- I would like to work towards an agreement that the white, front facing, strobes/flashers should be fairly limited in power and be "flood style" not an aimed beam as it seems like the powerful, aimed beam, strobes are especially distracting to drivers (or at least they are to me).
- I would like to ask cyclists to make sure their powerful front lights are properly aimed so as to avoid blinding drivers (or other cyclists).
- I'm not sure how to address headlamps (worn on the head). I completely understand why a cyclist would use them, but they seem to be the WORST offenders for blinding others so I would welcome some ideas.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Ze