Cyclists without lights

Tilt

Saw a numpty on one of those electrically powered bikes late last night. Had a front light but no rear.

Mindless_Clone

HeadAboveWater wrote: »

Anyone else curious as to what damage was done to the car? I imagine for starters a bike would've scratched the paintwork, which animal hide generally wouldn't do....

I hit a pigeon (or similar sized bird anyway) once and it took out the headlight, side light and smashed up the plastic trim under the front bumper. I was going about 45 mph in a semi rural area but it was flying straight at me (suicidal pigeon). Even a relatively small animal can do extensive damage in the right circumstances.

Dave_C wrote: »

[*] A large part of the mini windscreen was damaged, about 1/4 to 1/3 of the width. I think that most of us would have stopped there and then, never mind the next roundabout.

I wouldn't, not if it's the stretch mentioned previously. There absolutely no hard should and no lights and a bend in the road. I think the cyclists death has ably demonstrated what a serious hazard that is. Now imagine stopping your car on the carriageway and another car coming round that bend at national speed limit? She thought she hit an animal and her car was drivable albeit damaged; it makes absolutely perfect sense that she only stopped when it was safe to do so.

(incidentally, when I hit my pigeon, I drove on for some time before I found a safe place to stop and inspect the damage).


It's very sad for the cyclist's family who lost their relative, but also for the driver who will have to live with the fact she killed someone for the rest of her life.

in_the_Cotswolds

As a driver and now a cyclist as well just started to ride to work, I personally think rear flashing lights on bikes are a hazard. In poor visibility especially rain I've been in a situation where I wasn't sure if I had seen anything. One minute it was there the next gone. My first bike I had two rear lights, one on permanently and the other flashing.

interstellaflyer

mechanic wrote: »

As a driver and now a cyclist as well just started to ride to work, I personally think rear flashing lights on bikes are a hazard. In poor visibility especially rain I've been in a situation where I wasn't sure if I had seen anything. One minute it was there the next gone. My first bike I had two rear lights, one on permanently and the other flashing.

I think the flashing lights are as good as solid lights once out of heavy traffic, in heavy traffic, in the dark especially if it's raining cyclists should really take great care when moving up the inside of the traffic, it is extremely difficult for motorists to see cyclists in these conditions as white lights all blend in to each other and reflectors and reflective clothing only really work from the rear.

prowla

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

How many people actually report to the police they have hit an animal.....seems a bit of a paniced excuse to me that...

I hit a deer and I reported it to the police.

They told me not to worry about it.

prowla

PasturesNew wrote: »

I can't go out after dark because the stupid bike I stupidly bought ..... is hard to find a stupid light that fits ....

The light was intended to be mounted under the seat, on the seat post. Stupid idea at the best of times as anybody with a jacket/coat on would obscure it.

Bought my bike from Halfords and they only offered me a post-seat light, which I pointed out wouldn't work because they'd had to remove part of the post fitment to get the seat low enough for me to be able to reach the ground on tip-toe. They couldn't offer me a proper light that fitted anywhere else....

So I can't take my bike out after dark until I find a light that can be fitted, find somewhere to buy it/have it fitted... and get round to it.

Baloney - you can fit lights to anywhere on the frame of a bike, and also reflectors.

You can also get snap-on reflectors for your wrist & ankles.

red_eye

snozberry wrote: »

In response to previous comments, I really don't see how she 'got of lightly' as she has to live every day of her life knowing that she killed someone. He failed to ensure that he wore bright/reflective clothing, he failed to install working lights and he failed to cycle within the legal limits. Cycling in those conditions on a busy dual carriageway is ridiculous.

It was also proven that her headlights on the bend couldn't have highlighted him and there is no way that a drunken man can cycle in a safe and sensible way. Heck, drunken people can't even walk in a safe and sensible way.

This was a tragic accident that could so easily been avoided.

I can and have on numerous occasions:beer:

im-lost

If I hit something with enough force to cave my windscreen in
I'd pull over immediately and call a recovery truck..

I find it hard to believe anybody could hit something so big, and
to do so much damage that they think, oh I'll just carry on with
my journey.

You bloody well know if you've hit a person or a deer or other large
animal that would cause such damage.

Just saying...

adouglasmhor

im-lost wrote: »

If I hit something with enough force to cave my windscreen in
I'd pull over immediately and call a recovery truck..

I find it hard to believe anybody could hit something so big, and
to do so much damage that they think, oh I'll just carry on with
my journey.

You bloody well know if you've hit a person or a deer or other large
animal that would cause such damage.

Just saying...

She did know but unlike you she was not stupid enough to stop somewhere very dangerous.

Dave_C_2

Mindless_Clone wrote: »

I wouldn't, not if it's the stretch mentioned previously. There absolutely no hard should and no lights and a bend in the road. I think the cyclists death has ably demonstrated what a serious hazard that is. Now imagine stopping your car on the carriageway and another car coming round that bend at national speed limit? She thought she hit an animal and her car was drivable albeit damaged; it makes absolutely perfect sense that she only stopped when it was safe to do so.

There is a huge difference between a cyclist with no lights and stopping on that road with all lights and hazard warnings going!
The bend was not that serious- after all it was posted at the national speed limit.

Dave