Lighting a bike/high vis on tour

[elioelio]

Remove the bar bag and sling it over your saddle bag by its shoulder strap and secure with a bungee or similar if need be. Your bars are then free for the light. I seldom need a light when on tour, if I do it is usually only for a few miles, so this works for me even if it is a little inconvenient.jpg

Thanks, I was thinking of just doing this. I've just bough a second hand Gopro too so would need to take off the bag if I want to film from the handlebars anyway, so should be used to it.

Don't worry mate, it'll be raining all the time in NZ, so its the colour of your rain top that is important. Cue another 5 pages!!

Can't wait! My jackets a sky blue/lake colour (thought I'd go crazy and buy something not black or grey) so I should blend in nicely...

[Bicycler]

Going back to the original question you need to make sure you comply with the regulations for lighting and extras in not just the countries but the State or county you are visiting.

As regards the bike itself and bike lighting, as a visitor you do not have to comply with the intricacies of local laws. A roadworthy bike with front and rear lights, a rear reflector and a bell is legal for visitors regardless of local laws. I don't think exempts you from local laws about clothing (hi-vis, h*lmets etc.) though.

EDIT: I've just come across this very helpful page on the CTC's website going into more detail on international use of bikes: http://www.ctc.org.uk/cyclists-library/ ... al-traffic

[Cunobelin]

One thing I've noticed when it comes to hi-vis on narrow lanes is: Horse riders always wear hi-vis, dog walkers mostly wear hi-vis (sometimes even the dogs), cyclists mostly wear hi-vis, mothers pushing buggies never wear hi-vis.

I'd be interested to know the casualty data for mothers pushing buggies on narrow country lanes; 'cos I was very surprised when I became aware of the pattern.

Ian

There is a campaign in the New Forest for all the "wild" ponies to wear HiViz!

Then in Wales it is cows and sheep wearing HiViz

Eventually someone will come up with the idea of headlights on cars and actually driving at a speed where you can stop when you see something in your path!

[irc]

Yet the same drivers who won't see the Supermarket worker without this visibility aid will see Mr and Mrs Bloggs along with Charmaine and Kevin who don't need Hi-Viz?

Or maybe they won't?


http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/VIDEO-P ... story.html


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-de ... e-28153128

http://news.sky.com/story/1130017/boy-9 ... t-car-park

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/111 ... permarket/


Etc,etc

[22camels]

In the long-term I think what's more important than them seeing you, is you seeing them. What we really need, is 360 degree vision i.e. eyes in the back of the head or a technological equivalent.

A simple mirror is far better than nothing, but far from perfect.

Technology still hasn't caught up to this need, but give it 20 years. It's not just about seeing, but it should emphasise the dangers.

A recent project tried but didn't take off: https://www.dragoninnovation.com/projec ... r-by-ikubu I think the design didn't please everyone.

Something for motorbikes which looks very cool http://www.skullysystems.com/#intro check out the video obviously this is far too heavy for push bikes.

[captain offensive]

Some interesting reading here. personally I'm in the be visible camp and don't go on the bike without front and rear lights. They use rechargeable batteries which last for may hours riding between charges so virtually no cost to using them.

Sure - in the middle of the day hi viz clothing might not always be required but conditions can change and so I've just got into the habit of wearing something 'visible' at all times.

There have been some interesting points about cyclists v pedestrians. Someone made a point about supermarket car parks. The answer to that is simply that Mrs Smith and little Kevin are only walking across the car park for a matter of seconds whereas employees can be out there for several hours each day thereby greatly improving the change of not being seen. And putting your driver's hat on I bet that at least on one occasion when manoeuvring in the super market you've not quite spotted someone as early as you might like. As for pedestrians - of course pedestrians in towns, on pavements don't need to wear hi viz gear - but take a stroll down winding country lanes and anything that can make you visible a fraction of a second earlier could just help.

Back to being on the bike, as soon as conditions aren't optimal it can be very easy to not see people as easily. It can be quite scary as a driver when you come across cyclists with no hi viz gear or lights - and the worst time is not the dark when headlights start to reflect things - but the early evening twilight when the light is starting to fade.

But the main reason I wear the gear? It may not always look the best but I quite like being alive and anything that...
a) might just give me an advantage in staying that way or
b) gives me or my family the upper hand in any legal wranglings that may occur if something does go wrong
...is an easy choice to go for

[willem jongman]

+1 Fortunately my otherwise pretty disobedient children agree and will not ride their bikes without the lights turned on at night. I make sure those lights are good.