Cycle Lanes - really safe?

Norman_Castle

Mr_Mink wrote: »

I think the problem really comes from them flashing. I get that they want to be noticed but if it's the same brightness as any other vehicle's lights, there's no need for it to flash.

The flashing denotes cyclists as cyclists among numerous red or white lights. I find many cars dipped headlights too bright. In a city with street lights dipped headlights only need to make the car visible to others. Bright headlights, especially in wet weather, can make non flashing cycle lights difficult to spot.

Mr_Toad

Mr_Mink wrote: »

I agree about the lights being good.

I think the problem really comes from them flashing. I get that they want to be noticed but if it's the same brightness as any other vehicle's lights, there's no need for it to flash.

There's a reason they flash and it isn't just because they can.

The human brain is really good at detecting movement. Something steady does not catch our attention as easily, making the lights flash kickstarts the brain.

Look how difficult it is to spot an animal or bird when it's not moving then as soon as it takes flight you spot it in an instant.

I think the very thing about them flashing that annoys people is the reason they work, they force your brain to see them and not lose them in the background noise.

Mr_Mink

Mr_Toad wrote: »

There's a reason they flash and it isn't just because they can.

The human brain is really good at detecting movement. Something steady does not catch our attention as easily, making the lights flash kickstarts the brain.

Look how difficult it is to spot an animal or bird when it's not moving then as soon as it takes flight you spot it in an instant.

I think the very thing about them flashing that annoys people is the reason they work, they force your brain to see them and not lose them in the background noise.

The point is that the light catches your attention, that's why I said if it's as bright as any other vehicle then it shouldn't need to flash.

I have never had any problems spotting cyclists with a single bright light that isn't flashing, they happen to look remarkably like a motorbike in the dark.

JustinR1979

I tell you one good reason for flashing lights, so you don't mistake 2 cyclists side by side as a car - You tend to gain ground on them a lot quicker than you expect.....!

facade

Mr_Toad wrote: »

You spotted, and remembered, every bike and vehicle out there so the lights did the job they were designed to do. A perfect outcome and safer for everyone.

What you seem to be inferring is that if the lights were less intrusive you wouldn't notice them and be disoriented. Nice for you but potentially deadly for someone you didn't see.

I thought he was highlighting the problem that he and I share with lots of others, that is so casually dismissed by "young" people that becaiuse of the disorienting effect of the over bright flashing lamps he will not be able to see the unlit pedestrians and cyclists who are simply very slightly blacker shadows in the rain & darkness.

Telling us not to drive in the dark is a non starter as we have to go to work to earn enough money to stay alive long enough to go to work tomorrow, and it is dark all the time except when we are actually slaving away at the salt mountains.

Mr_Toad

facade wrote: »

I thought he was highlighting the problem that he and I share with lots of others, that is so casually dismissed by "young" people that becaiuse of the disorienting effect of the over bright flashing lamps he will not be able to see the unlit pedestrians and cyclists who are simply very slightly blacker shadows in the rain & darkness.

Telling us not to drive in the dark is a non starter as we have to go to work to earn enough money to stay alive long enough to go to work tomorrow, and it is dark all the time except when we are actually slaving away at the salt mountains.

While I sympathise, poor night vision or night blindness brought on by age or anything else should not be ignored and the need to work is no excuse to continue driving when you can't see properly.

It should be reported to DVLA

https://www.gov.uk/night-blindness-and-driving

And for the record I have excellent night vision and I'm retired so not 'young'. :j

I've had endless conversations with people who can't see well at night and don't believe that I can either because of glare in the rain and the brightness of oncoming headlights. It's only when I give a running commentary of what's going on out there in the dark and what's coming towards us that they eventually, and very grudgingly, accept I can see and they can't.

It frightens the hell out of me that people who can't see are still driving and the oft quoted, I can see perfectly well in the daylight so there's nothing wrong with my eyes just doesn't cut it.

facade

I can see fairly well in low light conditions.
I can't see fairly well in low light when someone is shining a bright light in my eyes.
That is not nyctalopia.

The day I am diagnosed with it I will inform DVLA as required

phill99

It seems to me that the minute a person gets on a cycle they become colour blind.

Thats the only reason I can think as to why they can't see the red light at traffic lights and go merrily riding through it.

j0nathon2

Most cycle lanes are useless and give some cyclists and some motorists a false sense of security.

Some cyclists think they're safe, and should ride right up to the kerb, along with all the debris, potholes and drain covers and some motorists think it's OK to drive closer to the white line because the cyclists will be on the other side.

Regarding lights, if you've seen all those lights they've done their job.

phill99 wrote: »

It seems to me that the minute a person gets on a cycle they become colour blind.

Thats the only reason I can think as to why they can't see the red light at traffic lights and go merrily riding through it.

Doesn't make sense, as the red light is (almost) always at the top, colour blindness shouldn't have that much of an effect.

Of course, you're just being facetious though. It's like me saying why do all drivers go through amber lights, leave their fog lights on when there is no fog and drive after a night out drinking. Of course the vast majority, including myself, do none of these things. However, we seem to like tarring all cyclists with the same brush, but not motorists.

Mr_Toad

facade wrote: »

I can see fairly well in low light conditions.
I can't see fairly well in low light when someone is shining a bright light in my eyes.
That is not nyctalopia.

The day I am diagnosed with it I will inform DVLA as required

You can't see well in low light when there are headlights. There are always going to be headlights in low light, yet you kid yourself that this is OK because you've not been diagnosed with a problem. Priceless!

Chances are you've only had a normal eye test so it's not surprising you've not had a diagnosis.

Go and tell the optician you can't see well in low light and they'll do a night vision test to see what your visual acuity is like.

But of course you won't do that because you know you have a problem and doing nothing means you can claim not to have been diagnosed.