Sepia Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 On Sunday I went for a ride along the M4 in drizzly, overcast conditions.Outside Umhlanga at about 0545 four cyclists riding in single file passed me. All were dressed in black team gear. I thought it was team kit but it was too dark to make out what team. A car passed me and hooted at them in front of me. I thought this was EXTREMELY dangerous and inconsiderate that the cyclist had no form of visibility. I did a further count and out of 27 cyclists on the road, only three had lights!!! My point is, this is a very dangerous road (No yellow line in places) at the best of times, visibility was poor and the sun had not risen? Why on earth do cyclists ride without lights or any form of visibility! Damn this is annoying and inconsiderate. When a cyclist gets hit under these conditions and the driver says they did not see them, I am inclined to believe the driver. It is not always the driver who is at fault here. Also, under these conditions it is not "if" but "when" and I do not wish it to happen. But it will. It should be compulsory for all bicycles to have lights working when on public roads. (RANT OVER)
Dazshell Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 My bug-bear too. Our club rules are simple, bright visible kit and at least a rear light. We have even had reflective strips sewn into the back pockets on our new kit. Even better though, were the group that were riding on the section of the M4 where we are not supposed to ride (Uhmlanga to La Lucia single lane no emergency lane) with a follow car doing 25kmh blocking the whole lane. And we wonder why motorists hate us!
Sepia Posted September 16, 2015 Author Posted September 16, 2015 Can't answer that Dazshell, I was not there!
Cadre Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 Sepia, your observations are shared and hopefully the culprit(s) take note. I do the MTB thing from Suncoast via P&P, Virginia circle La Lucia Mall (suburb route, no M4). Once I get back to Suncoast, load the bike on the Hilux and make my way to Mount Edgecombe there is forever this dude dressed in black from head to toe going towards Umhlanga. You cannot see him until the very last possible moment because he has no lights (front or back) and his only black outfit makes matters worse. Only because I know off him do I look out for the imbecile, others don't and sooner or later, Dufus is going to arrive home in the newspaper. God forbid he gets run over, but if he does, hopefully the paramedics can scrape enough flesh from the tarmac so his family can have something to put in the coffin, alternatively and better still his last act of stupidity resulted in a burnt out vehicle on top of him so his family can argue a case for Half-price at his cremation service. Don't get me wrong. I wish no harm on this bloke. I will never get over the fact that I have taken a life if I run someone over. Be considerate and that frikkin light dude. I have a family as well and will have to face a mandatory Murder charge if I knock you down. (ps. I have thought of stopping and giving him a mouthful, but you cannot fix stupid).
Monark Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 People need to stay off the m4 between durban and umhlanga. This includes the special groups with follow cars. You are not exempt just because you have a car behind you.
Sepia Posted September 16, 2015 Author Posted September 16, 2015 People need to stay off the m4 between durban and umhlanga. This includes the special groups with follow cars. You are not exempt just because you have a car behind you.No bicycles allowed there. Arrest those on that section and donate the bikes (or their organs) to the needy.Come Durban, set an example and obey the rules now, not after you are dead.
Veebee Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 luckily it wasn't us. There was 3 of us out on Sunday morning, but all with very visible kits and rear lights. to add to your rant, I've seen 2 guys on the M4 without helmets, but rather showing off their fancy cycling caps... Just too many out there giving us a bad name
Dazshell Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 Time for WrightLight in KZN to advertise again! https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/134327-1600-lumens-bike-lights-with-8800mah-battery/ https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/98896-2000-lumens-bike-light-with-upgraded-8800mah-pack/ https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/140095-1800-lumens-zoomable-bike-light/
Sepia Posted September 16, 2015 Author Posted September 16, 2015 luckily it wasn't us. There was 3 of us out on Sunday morning, but all with very visible kits and rear lights. to add to your rant, I've seen 2 guys on the M4 without helmets, but rather showing off their fancy cycling caps... Just too many out there giving us a bad nameWTF? Amazing how invincible we think we are when we have something between our legs - even if it is a bike.
Veebee Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 Time for WrightLight in KZN to advertise again! https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/134327-1600-lumens-bike-lights-with-8800mah-battery/ https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/98896-2000-lumens-bike-light-with-upgraded-8800mah-pack/ https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/140095-1800-lumens-zoomable-bike-light/ for the "headlamps" this is a great option. But for the rear light, it has to be something better than the 50 bucks single Led of which you can only see from 1 meter away.
DJR Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 When I ride alone, even in bright daylight, I use a very bright flashing light front and back and I promise you, drivers give me more space than if I ride without the lights. I do this when riding in traffic as well as on quiet roads. It increases your visibility with a few thousand percent. That and riding defensively are the keys to arriving alive on your bike!
Oufy MTB (Roadie) Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 When I ride alone, even in bright daylight, I use a very bright flashing light front and back and I promise you, drivers give me more space than if I ride without the lights. I do this when riding in traffic as well as on quiet roads. It increases your visibility with a few thousand percent. That and riding defensively are the keys to arriving alive on your bike! +10000
Sparki 1 Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 Sepia, your observations are shared and hopefully the culprit(s) take note. I do the MTB thing from Suncoast via P&P, Virginia circle La Lucia Mall (suburb route, no M4). Once I get back to Suncoast, load the bike on the Hilux and make my way to Mount Edgecombe there is forever this dude dressed in black from head to toe going towards Umhlanga. You cannot see him until the very last possible moment because he has no lights (front or back) and his only black outfit makes matters worse. Only because I know off him do I look out for the imbecile, others don't and sooner or later, Dufus is going to arrive home in the newspaper. God forbid he gets run over, but if he does, hopefully the paramedics can scrape enough flesh from the tarmac so his family can have something to put in the coffin, alternatively and better still his last act of stupidity resulted in a burnt out vehicle on top of him so his family can argue a case for Half-price at his cremation service. Don't get me wrong. I wish no harm on this bloke. I will never get over the fact that I have taken a life if I run someone over. Be considerate and that frikkin light dude. I have a family as well and will have to face a mandatory Murder charge if I knock you down. (ps. I have thought of stopping and giving him a mouthful, but you cannot fix stupid).maybe it will be good to educate him. next time you see him, stop and inform him of the danger he is placing himself and other road users in. if he doesn't take ur advice then an imbecile he is. i stopped once and told a fellow cyclist (commuter)the very same thing. his response was if the car has lights, and he can see the car, then surely the car can see him. i was shocked to hear this response and further educated him. low and behold, about a week later i saw the same dude promoted himself from "imbecile" and was sporting some nice bright lights, front and back.
velomonatiCT Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 When I ride alone, even in bright daylight, I use a very bright flashing light front and back and I promise you, drivers give me more space than if I ride without the lights. I do this when riding in traffic as well as on quiet roads. It increases your visibility with a few thousand percent. That and riding defensively are the keys to arriving alive on your bike! spot on DJR I do the same (be responsible for your own ass as much as you can )
DJR Posted September 16, 2015 Posted September 16, 2015 It has taken me a few years and quite a few tries to find the right lights, in the process I accumulated a few hands full of semi visible front and back lights. These I have all donated to commuters I came across, reasoning that some light on those dark mornings, will be better than nothing. I have also given away two unused helmets. Go have a look in your drawers and if you have something like that lying around, put fresh batteries in it and pay it forward. You never know when you might save a fellow riders life. (I'm a bit of a bike light evangelist, I know)
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