Rant on high output lights on bicycles.

[mikeduf]

I am a consistent Rider of both manual and e-bike.
One observation I've had for years is the bright lights of oncoming cyclists, Especially in the overcast early morning.
Some of these lights are very direct and blinding if you stare at them.

To me it seems that these other Riders are unaware of their directional capabilities of their lights but tend to have them pointed right into the eyes of the oncoming cyclist, and we are talking about bike trails.
I always make sure my lights are pointed downward and directionally away from the other lane just like an automobile light alignment.
With the increase of Ebikes I'm seeing this to be a more steady irritation.

And yes there are a lot more issues in life to worry about but I was just wondering if this has been observed by others.

 

[Pablo]

I am a consistent Rider of both manual and e-bike.
One observation I've had for years is the bright lights of oncoming cyclists, Especially in the overcast early morning.
Some of these lights are very direct and blinding if you stare at them.

To me it seems that these other Riders are unaware of their directional capabilities of their lights but tend to have them pointed right into the eyes of the oncoming cyclist, and we are talking about bike trails.
I always make sure my lights are pointed downward and directionally away from the other lane just like an automobile light alignment.
With the increase of Ebikes I'm seeing this to be a more steady irritation.

And yes there are a lot more issues in life to worry about but I was just wondering if this has been observed by others.

Worthy rant.

People point their lights with two things in mind, IMHO

1) So they "can see in the dark"
2) To try and make sure they are "seen by cars"

Blinding others is not on the list.

 

[wander2039]

Yes! That's why I always point mine down, and well so I can see the road for any garbage. I also don't like blinking rear lights, makes it harder for me to pinpoint their location(?).. not sure how to describe it. Kinda like the cars have the blinking stop lights when they stop.

 

[supton]

Yes! That's why I always point mine down, and well so I can see the road for any garbage. I also don't like blinking rear lights, makes it harder for me to pinpoint their location(?).. not sure how to describe it. Kinda like the cars have the blinking stop lights when they stop.

I recall reading years ago that Europe does not allow blinky red lights on bikes? was a long time ago when I was looking into it, and remember someone, somewhere, indicating this was true--and for the reason you mention.

 

[wavinwayne]

I now use two front white lights when riding my road bike. One is mounted on my helmet and one on my bars. I keep them on flashing mode and try to never direct them at oncoming drivers. I started using the front lights 5-6 years ago when I was run off the road by a driver who crossed into oncoming traffic (me) and would have hit me if I hadn't ditched. I didn't have a front light at that time, and I don't think the driver ever saw me (distracted or impaired), as it was very early morning before sunrise. I believe if I had had both of the flashing lights on at that time, the driver would have seen me from a distance and corrected before getting close to me. I'll never know as I never saw that car again, and I rode that same route many times after that incident.

I also use a bright red blinking rear light so there is no excuse for drivers not seeing me as they approach. Lastly, I have a mirror attached to a flexible arm that is mounted to my helmet so I can watch my 6. I will not ride without that mirror.

 

[edyvw]

I am a consistent Rider of both manual and e-bike.
One observation I've had for years is the bright lights of oncoming cyclists, Especially in the overcast early morning.
Some of these lights are very direct and blinding if you stare at them.

To me it seems that these other Riders are unaware of their directional capabilities of their lights but tend to have them pointed right into the eyes of the oncoming cyclist, and we are talking about bike trails.
I always make sure my lights are pointed downward and directionally away from the other lane just like an automobile light alignment.
With the increase of Ebikes I'm seeing this to be a more steady irritation.

And yes there are a lot more issues in life to worry about but I was just wondering if this has been observed by others.

The only thing I see is a lack of lights on many bicycles. I save my rant for JEEP bros who, in an attempt to fix their crappy OE lights, make things so much worse for others.

 

[gman2304]

blinding if you stare at them.

 

[4WD]

The only thing I see is a lack of lights on many bicycles. I save my rant for JEEP bros who, in an attempt to fix their crappy OE lights, make things so much worse for others.

My Jeep OEM LED lights are great - no plans to modify …
Ford trucks suck to face head on …

 

[4WD]

Yeah, I watch the shoulder since you can’t tell dim from bright anymore

 

[edyvw]

My Jeep OEM LED lights are great - no plans to modify …
Ford trucks suck to face head on …

IDK about LEDs now on JEEP, but when I asked here why every second JEEP has ridiculous LED lights, the answer was bcs. poor OE lights. I guess those did not come with LED.
Have no idea about Ford. The overcompensation with LED lights and bars on any truck is out of hand.

 

[4WD]

IDK about LEDs now on JEEP, but when I asked here why every second JEEP has ridiculous LED lights, the answer was bcs. poor OE lights. I guess those did not come with LED.
Have no idea about Ford. The overcompensation with LED lights and bars on any truck is out of hand.

Yeah - same old problem with aftermarket …
It’s was $1100 to get 100% OE LED - right down to inside and all …

 

[2005jettatdi]

I do not ride my bicycle at night. It is dangerous enough in daytime with drivers of cars acting like you are not there.

 

[supton]

Ford trucks suck to face head on …

Yes they do! sheesh, do not look forward to this fall & winter when commuting will be done in the dark.

 

[eljefino]

It's a defensive mechanism so they can be seen, so I give them a pass.

What gets me are blinky brake lights on regular cars. Drivers "should" be paying enough attention to see regular brake lights. Get a stop and go traffic jam, which re-activates the blink every time the pedal is touched, and it would be overstimulating if everybody had them.

I'm sure some insurance study found 3% fewer rear-enders with the things, but that's just with the novelty that will wear off.

Also "wig-wag" low-high beams on motorcycles are annoying, save that for the cops.

 

[Rand]

I could rant for hours about on the road doofus(s).
Had this genius the other day
Fully removed emissions.. exhaust smelled like 1970s Big Block cadillac and was giving me asthma attack at 200ft in front of me.
Sounded terrible.. no backpressure from exhaust engine was bogging out.
License plate covered with dark polarized cover.. it wasn't legible to naked eye.
Brake lights were also blacked out and dim but the photo doesnt really show it well.
the blinker was a tiny single row of yellow LED that would flash for 1/10 second.
Need a 1800 GRAB EPA number

 

[mikeduf]

Yeah there's a lot of aftermarket exhaust systems that are being put on cars today as well as motorcycles. Looking at that license plate it appears that he shops at Summit Auto Parts. In the '80s if you had any kind of aftermarket pipe on your motorcycle or car viewer pretty much getting a Fix-It ticket as well as tinted windows and anything covering the license plate!

I always wonder when the time comes to reregister and you get that Infamous smog check to get your registration how these cars and bikes are going to pass.

One thing I can say about my car as it has an internal carbon filter that can block out most of that if my windows are up.

Oh and we have a large influx of mini bikes now that are blowing smoke on the riverbed bike trails as you're trying to have a peaceful ride this is a daily thing.
Kids are running down the public roads on these things unregistered and have no clue of the street laws. I'm sure at some point they'll get a ticket or injured. But it's just shows you how our society is changing with the lack of concern for others around them. Oh I could go on a lot of rants, a real big one that's sore with me is after a summer day is over, you ride along the beach bike trail looking at the parking lot and it's full of diapers.
Again people don't take ownership of their surroundings and their cities and states they've become privileged!