People......PLEASE !!!!!
 

For the active folks who are walking and jogging in the early morning (read that as in the dark) - for gosh sakes - carry a flashlight or wear some form of lighting gadget or at least put on a reflective vest.

If one is walking in the dark while wearing dark clothing - I as a bicyclist can not see you. I don't have a 12 volt headlight on my bike revealing dark objects 150 feet in front of me.

As part of my 20 mile bike loop I travel along CHURCHILL DOWNS between 5 and 6 a.m. There are street lights and ambient light along that road but there are also MANY pockets of absolute pure DARKNESS.

Over this past weekend I encountered 3 individuals walking along the MMP who perfectly blended in with the darkness.

I'm traveling along at 12 mph with white blinky lights on the front of my bike and a red blinky on the rear. My white lights do not illuminate anything - they are eye catchers for others to see me.

I'm coming up from behind - you don't see my lights and my bike is quiet - you are camouflaged in the darkness - I may or may not be able to see you.

Don't chance an unwelcomed intersection between you and me.

If you walk, jog, rollerblade, skate or longboard in the dark - make sure you can be seen by those in front and in back of you.

The majority of folks I encounter in the early a.m. are highly visible - thanks to all who are.

For those who aren't - use a smidge of common sense and light yourself up. It's about safety - be safe!

Great reminder.

Good reminder.

Personally when I am out in the dark I like to sing and that keeps people well away from me.

I’d try that but I can’t sing cause I’m constantly gasping....

Quote: I don't have a 12 volt headlight on my bike revealing dark objects 150 feet in front of me.

-and-

My white lights do not illuminate anything - they are eye catchers for others.

end quotes


While I agree that everyone should make themselves visible it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to have a headlight. It is LAW in Florida. Your light must be visible 500 feet away, here is the statute.


Statutes & Constitution
:View Statutes
:

Online Sunshine

Please don't risk your assets, if you hit anyone, driving as you described it is YOUR fault.

Yes and specifically from FL 316.2065 Para 7: Every bicycle in use between sunset and sunrise shall be equipped with a lamp on the front exhibiting a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and a lamp and reflector on the rear each exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of 600 feet to the rear.

Not sure if this only applies to driving on roadways though.

Please get a light for your bike or stop riding in the dark. You expect the world to get out of your way. It is not likely to happen. But you are right, people in the dark, including riders should wear something white, a cap, a scarf anything to be seen.

A light that is visible from 500 feet is not necessarily illuminating objects at 500 feet enough to be seen from that distance. We can see the stars but they don't offer very much light for us to see.

But I agree. If you're going to ride a bicycle in the dark it is your responsibility to have a light that enables you to see far enough to not be a danger to pedestrians.

Pedestrians wearing dark clothing at night may be stupid, but they are not going to be held responsible if they are hit by a bicycle.

Being seen for 500 feet and illuminating so you can see 500 feet are two totally different things. The first is Florida law for bicyclists.

Read carefully....”white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet...”

My 2 white blinky lights are visible from 500 feet or farther. I’m in compliance with that.

They do not illuminate like a car’s headlight. I will not see someone 20 feet ahead of me in the darkness - but I will be seen from 500 feet plus.

Being visible and illuminating a path are two different concepts. Think match versus flashlight.

When I posted this statute I was certain the forum regulars would post comments like yours. It would not matter in a civil case, you would be negligent. I could easily get a statement from the winky light manufacturer that it was not intended to illuminate your path.

Let me be blunt: Your problem of not seeing people needs to be addressed by YOU.

Try:
On your right!
Coming behind you!
YO! WATCH YOUR LEFT.!
coming through!
Watch you backs!

Or Wear a whistle around you neck

I thought walkers were supposed to walk facing traffic. That only makes common sense. I want to be able to see what is coming toward me. People approaching from the rear are not visible. And if you are walking at night, you most definitely need to wear something that is visible in the dark. Also common sense!

If you do go to court, I hope you're clearer in your presentation. I can't even figure out which side of the case you're arguing. :D

While I concur with the spirit of your safety reminder, wearing a reflective vest will not help unless it is illuminated by the other person's light.

Wear light-colored clothing or carry a flashlight.

That is useful.

What about you do you think is the guy who does not illuminate his path, operating at a greater speed than walkers, correct in blaming the walkers for not making themselves visible enough to satisfy his needs? Or do you side with me the the biker needs to get adequate safety equipment to operate his bicycle in the conditions (darkness) that he choses?

Is this biker a potential victim of careless walkers?

Look at as thinning the heard. It may be too late to stop them from breeding, but maybe we can avoid their off-spring running around!

A biker is obligated to make him/herself visible for a minimum distance per the laws of the state. A walker is obligated to make him/herself visible per the laws of survival.

My ex-wife used to walk three miles in the dark every night on roads with no illumination. She wore a vest with high quality reflecting tape on it and a Flashing red light behind and carried a bright flashlight to turn on and wave if a car was coming.

Even a flashing light on a bicycle will alert a rider to a walker with reflective tape on a vest. It won’t help with someone in a black hoody.

[QUOTE=Choro&Swing;1819546]My ex-wife used to walk three miles in the dark every night on roads with no illumination. She wore a vest with high quality reflecting tape on it and a flashing red light behind and carried a bright flashlight to turn on and wave if a car was coming.

Even a flashing light on a bicycle will alert a rider to a walker with reflective tape on a vest. It won’t help with someone in a black hoody.

My ex-wife used to walk three miles in the dark every night on roads with no illumination. She wore a vest with high quality reflecting tape on it and a flashing red light behind and carried a bright flashlight to turn on and wave if a car was coming.

Even a flashing light on a bicycle will alert a rider to a walker with reflective tape on a vest. It won’t help with someone in a black hoody. If she had adopted the black hoody look, she would be my late wife.

Yes, thanks. I do practice that when those in front of me are visible.

Who takes responsibility for those who don't want to be seen?

:ohdear: The only need I'm expressing is for folks to use a bit of common sense.

Yes, carefully is the keyword. It doesn't read "blinky lights" it reads LAMP. I would think there is a difference between a "blinky" LED and a LAMP. If my desk LAMP was BLINKY I'd be in trouble. In either case if it went to court you'd likely be paying especially if DAN gets the case. ;)

The blinking light is to let others see you. But you need to see them so you can avoid them, that is why you need a lamp. And watch out for people with metal walking sticks. I’ve seen them stop motorcycles dead by being shoved in the spokes, when a biker got too close.

Any deaf people in TV??? Slow down, its on you to watch out for others. Beep Beep

Can't see you!!
 

Totally agree from a golf cart perspective!

And quit walking in the cart lanes. That's what sidewalks are for!

Thank you Grasper!! We also ride our bikes and have trouble seeing people in dark clothing.

Are you serious???

I don't ride a bike or a motorcycle, but if someone tried to shove a metal pole in my spokes, they would be getting an impromptu colonoscopy, sideways.

So that’s the gurgling sounds I heard. Lol

Reminds me of one of my neighbors up north who was a speed walker. He had a reflective vest but he equiped the vest with a string of battery powered blinking christmas lights. It worked, you could could easily see him.

I almost ran over a walker...
 

backing out of my driveway in complete darkness. He was wearing dark clothing. Don't know how I missed him, really. Bet he "lightened up" after that experience!

If you are coming up behind them, it sounds like they are on the wrong side of the path. They should be walking facing oncoming traffic.

Let me make a suggestion. I live in Pennecamp and drive my golf cart early in the morning up and down St. Charles and Bailey Trail..... at that time of morning, it is pitch black and I have seen any number of walkers, wearing neutral colored clothes, walking either on the sidewalk or in the multi-lane.....you cannot see them until you are right on top of them. So, this is what I would suggest. "It's better to light one little flashlight than to cuss the dark." I went to Walmart and bought little l.e.d. flashlights for $1.00 each. I carry them with me in the golf cart and give them to walkers who have no visibility without them. I have given away, probably 60 or more of these little flashlights. The call me "the flashlight boy". What don't you try it.

Exactly! You see its a problem then you do something about it. Dont expect others to do it for you

Yes, Please illuminate yourself and your dog at night. At 5:30 AM you are invisible.
 

A reflective vest will work great when cars and carts are approaching you in the dark. Your little penlight is handy when you need to look down at the pooper scooper, however, it has little value for visibility. I attempt to be as aware as possible driving but I still almost run someone over frequently at 5:30 AM, misty mornings especially. Don't let your dogs wander into the street because your leash won't protect them. Invisible runners are just playing with fire. :MOJE_whot:

You should actually read the whole post before responding. A light that is visible from 500 feet does not light up everything in front of it for 500 feet. And if a dark dressed walker has their back turned, they won’t see it and the rider may not see them. If you actually read the post you’ll see the rider is compliant, but that does not guarantee the walker will be safe.

It's really simple. You are responsible (most of the time) if you hit a pedestrian. Yeah, he or she should be wearing something that makes them visible in the darkness, but YOU need to see where you are going. YOU need a light that illuminates the area in front of you that allows you to stop in time. What if there was a 12 foot alligator lying in the darkness.... or a large branch lying in the path? What then?

When stupid people are about, we need to be smarter.