Headlights on

[JonT]

Imagine this, its winter and the sun is low in the sky, someone is about to pull out of a junction, they look in your direction but its a little difficuilt to see because the sun is shining in their eyes from that direction.

If your lights are off you will create a shadow from the sunlight, you will be a dark figure that can be spotted. If you have your headlights on you become indistinguishable from the background, an old army trick to make vehicles essentially invisible in certain conditions.

In these conditions I prefer to have lights off, especially since people often think I am flashing them when im going over bumps.

[Krakatoa]

I don`t ride with lights on. After having a few narrow squeaks because of the crap surfaces, i prefer to look out for the idiots(everyone with more than 3 wheels), rather than rely on them seeing me.

A good example. Recently the dark nights have joined us and it`s darker earlier. As its dark i HAVE to have my headlight on, to see where im going, and to show me to others. Yet still when i come past the junction, i KNEW he was going to pull out on me, and he did. ( a side issue was i panic braked and stopped right in front of him, being wet didn`t help). Wife was sat next to him and 2 kids behind.

How many times has someone pulled out or gone to pull out on you this year? I`ve lost count. It would seem the best weapon, by far, is paranoia.

We have several roundabout`s in the city near me. On each exit is a huge red sign exclaiming THINK BIKE!. They don`t. Bikers still get knocked off. Lights wont save you if you haven`t been acknowledged. They aren`t looking for a light, or a bike, they are looking for a car sized gap. As bazza said, why introduce the mobile phone laws when this is already clearly driving without due care and attention.

Although, IMO cagers should have to undergo the same level of training that we are subjected too.

Sadly, in our case, we`re a small minority, and that makes it harder still for people to think of us.
____________________
Tatty(but loved) NC 24.

[puremagic72]

[mchaggis]

[Walloper]

[mchaggis]

[Shamrock]

Lights on is safer 99% of the time.

How many times has something caught your eye in the mirror only to turn and see a biker along side you?

Picked up some extra illumination off ebay recently, something similar to this for my GS!

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/rnattrass/Lightsrsoff.jpg

Also noticed recently, although I think they look a tad gay, that wearing a hi-viz cycling jacket over my jacket makes me a lot more conspicious to drivers. i think they may also think im a copper sometimes which helps.

[Gixajane]

Mine are on all the time, if I had a choice to have them on or off I would still have them on, any tiny little difference that it makes for a car driver to see me then that's good for me.

When out riding with a mate or group its easier to keep a check that they are still with you when you have their lights behind you, my mate used to have his turned off so it was harder for me to keep track of him, much easier now he keeps them turned on.

JJ

[SoND]