[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Velvet

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.

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.

[banjobob]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Good reminder.

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

So that’s the gurgling sounds I heard. Lol

[Gpsma]

Originally Posted by Choro&Swing

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.

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.

[drgoofy]

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!

[Bill1701]

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.

[Grill Meister]

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.

[Girlcopper]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

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.

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

[larrytx219]

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.

Originally Posted by Toymeister

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.

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.

[Joe C.]

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.

Originally Posted by Joe C.

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.

I have come across people who are hard to see with my car lights, let alone a bicycle light. It is also the responsibility of the walker to dress appropriately to be seen if walking at night. It doesn’t matter who gets the blame, if someone gets hit and hurt two peoples lives are turned upside down. YOU need to give better advice, or maybe none sometimes when isn’t really helpful.

[justjim]

Amen regarding being able to see walkers when it’s dark, rainy or a bit foggy. Wife and I were leaving one early morning to go outside the bubble and we had a frighting experience of almost hitting a couple of walkers in our village who were walking on the wrong side of the street (right side with traffic) dark clothing and no light. It was a bit foggy and still dark outside. I saw them barely in time to avoid a tragic accident.

[kendi]

Very scary riding in the dark with no visibility in certain areas. I don’t get why you would even think about doing that? Are you expecting the alligators and other animals wondering around in the dark to dress for your benefit as well?

[Spalumbos62]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

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.

His post,to me, sounded like he had the correct equipment. He stated he had an illuminating frt light and blinking rear, that others can see him coming. He does not seem to have a flood lamp lighting a pathway ahead. Do they even make that? So trying to imagine this senerial, he's traveling along,at a good speed,his lights are blinking and lighting the ground,as a flash light might, and BAM there is someone walking right ahead, dark clothes,at the very least not reflective, who goes right,who goes left. Seems to me both have a 50%here. And not for anything,if I was out walking that early I'd have a major flood light in my hands...not for bikes, but for gators or any other creature....lol stay in bed.the 😊

[collie1228]

Some people simply don't get the point. The poster is pleading with foolish people walking in the dark to please carry a light. I ride my bike most days early in the morning when it's very dark. I have an LED headlight and a blinking LED tail light on my bike. The headlight can easily be seen from 500 feet, but it doesn't illuminate my path for 500 feet. This morning there were three stupid people out walking in the dark without a light. When I went by the single person, I told her she should carry a light for her own protection. No response. The second encounter was two women without a light, one on each side of the multimode path walking toward me, and I was forced to ride my bike (slowly) between them. I was within 40-50 feet before I saw them. What in the world were they thinking? Several other walkers were out this morning carrying a light. Smart people.