What time is it bright these mornings?

pmg001

As in what time is it safe to go cycling without lights?

Beasty

Sunrise in Dublin is around 7.30 (sunset is 17.48 tomorrow), although if overcast it can be quite gloomy. I tend to have a rear light on even in daylight, and would probably switch the front one off around 8am

Thoie

pmg001 wrote: »

As in what time is it safe to go cycling without lights?

The minimum is half an hour after sunrise, so around 8am at the moment, as Beasty said, but try use your own judgement during cloudy/foggy/misty weather.

victorcarrera

http://www.gaisma.com/en/location/dublin.html

For cloudy days +30 mins to sun up and -30 mins to sun down to be on safer side.

Bunnyhopper

Thoie wrote: »

The minimum is half an hour after before sunrise, so around 8am at the moment, as Beasty said, but try use your own judgement during cloudy/foggy/misty weather.

From citizensinformation.ie

During "lighting-up time", that is, the period beginning half an hour after sunset and ending half an hour before sunrise on the following morning

Some good info here too:

http://www.dias.ie/lang/irl/cosmic/astro/sunrise_sunset_irl.html

blorg

Thoie wrote: »

The minimum is half an hour after sunrise, so around 8am at the moment, as Beasty said, but try use your own judgement during cloudy/foggy/misty weather.

The legal situation is the opposite, you can ride without lights 30 minutes the other side, during twilight. I wouldn't recommend it though. Clip a cheap back light to your bike at least.

I left Dublin at 6am Saturday and it was getting light from around 7am but was foggy, left my lights on until around 9.

Thoie

Sorry, yeah, got it arseways.

seamus

Yeah, 8am seems to be around the time now that it's "safe" without lights, but I have mine attached to the bike just in case - if it's in any way overcast, you'll still need to be illuminated.

8am is the rule of thumb now until May at least - the clocks will go forward at the end of March, making the mornings darker again (but bringing sunshine for the trip home)

Jawgap

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?n=78&month=2&year=2010&obj=sun&afl=-13&day=1

Nautical twilight is when it starts to get bright, but as to when to turn your lights off, I'd judge that on the circumstances.

Boosterseat

Don't think its possible to really put an exact time on it - probably best to use your own judgment on each particular morning, cos in this lovely country of ours there ain't nothin' standard about the weather.

irishmotorist

I'd agree with "best judgement". A clear morning can be bright at 8 but a cloudy one can still be very dull at 9 and, imo, worthy of using lights.

cdaly_

I tend to run lights at all times anyway. Comes as a legacy of running dipped headlights on the car at all times...

tomasrojo

cdaly_ wrote: »

I tend to run lights at all times anyway. Comes as a legacy of running dipped headlights on the car at all times...

That's interesting. I've noticed a few cyclists with red rear lights on during the day, even during the summer. Probably does increase conspicuity if they're good lights. Dublin Bikes seem to be more conspicuous than other bikes anyway (especially from the front).

Some people running daytime red lights are running very weak lights, and I've only noticed them because I've been directly behind them at the traffic lights. Net increase in conspicuity for them: pretty much zero.

Bunnyhopper

I'd agree with the use your judgment approach - and I bear in mind that it can look brighter from a bike than it will from behind the tinted glass that all cars etc. have.