See the Lights
The other day I was biking home after work when out of nowhere…
It gets dark early these days. That means lights are something to plan on having. But even some folks that technically have lights don’t make it easy to see them.
So make sure to remember your lights, but also make sure they are visible.
On my daily commuter, I have a Mini Maglite mounted to my handlebars with this really cool mount from a company called DKG in San Rafael, Calif. (http://www.dkg-cnc.com/maglite.html). Solid as a rock. With the LED conversion kit, the Mini Maglite brightens up the whole street in front of me. Got a red Cateye mounted on the rear rack. For my wife’s bike, I got a Paul’s Components Gino light mount which allows you to put the light down on your fork. It keeps your handlebars free of clutter and won’t get blocked by anything being carried up front. (http://www.paulcomp.com/ginolightmount.html). See and be seen. –bb
Lights are super important but do not forget the reflective clothing…way too many invisible ninja bikes out there.
Gotta Love The Lumens…
I’ve got a Dinotte on my helmet and a Dinotte tail light and it’s
good to see and be seen.
I’d add that when approaching other bicyclists at night it’s good
practice to cover or dim or otherwise not blind the approaching
cyclist (or pedestrian).
On a local Boston area bike path there aren’t so many Ninja
cyclists, but one has to keep an eye out for pedestrians.
The invisible cyclist frequents Madison too. Usually wearing black, often rides a fixie. Thankful for when he has a cig going, he’s easier to see. The funniest part is, you have to TELL him he’s invisible, he does not seem to know it.
I have helmet mounted red and white blinkies, and a small photon “cannon” on my handlbars. Also, I always dress in hi-vis with lots of retroreflective stuff.
That said…I often do NOT use my handlebar light, as it is blinding. So, a morning or two back my helmet white blinky battery was dead, and a lady sitting in her car decided to lecture me about turning on my front light…but she obviously could see me long enough before I passed for her to A) roll down her window, and B) deliver three full sentences. I admit I should be more proactive about my batteries, but was I really a bicycle ninja? Is it possible that she was perhaps a tad overboard on her side of the argument? Can there not be middle ground?