FREE LIGHTS N11 GARDA

Planet X

Just there now.....junction Fosters Ave. Raddison Hotel. Free LED's blah blah.

Andy-Pandy

I got a few off of them, very hand little things they are. I gave the hi-viz to my mum for walking the dog, i'm not ever going to wear the horrid thing.

nomdeboardie

Planet X wrote: »

Just there now.....junction Fosters Ave. Raddison Hotel. Free LED's blah blah.

If you see them again, tell them to go down to the Rock Road (I continue to shun our great urban artery, even after the great out-of-cycle-lane-decriminalisation :pac:)

Planet X

Actually, the new bike lanes along that section(N11) are looking good. Not just a slap of red grit but foundation laid tarmac lanes. Good stuff. I'm happy. It's slow but getting there.
Suppose when it's all finished it'll be time to dig them all up to patch up the Water Works.

Cookie_Monster

seems like a good use of AGS resources...

DirkVoodoo

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

seems like a good use of AGS resources...

I can't see why it wouldn't be. Couple of thousand LEDs bought in bulk from China, handed out over a couple of winter nights hopefully avoids a few nasty crashes that perhaps results in more Garda time being used up filing reports, taking statements, etc.

And maybe save a few lives too.

stas

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I can't see why it wouldn't be. Couple of thousand LEDs bought in bulk from China.

I can bet you my winter gloves on that it's the local supplier to Garda who's bought it in bulk from China and who's made all the profit ;-) Not arguing the good cause though.

Doctor Bob

stas wrote: »

I can bet you my winter gloves on that it's the local supplier to Garda who's bought it in bulk from China and who's made all the profit ;-) Not arguing the good cause though.

The NTA paid for the lights.

Feel free to PM me to arrange handover of the gloves.

stas

Doctor Bob wrote: »

The NTA paid for the lights.

Your evidence is inconclusive :P

But I'm glad I didn't bet my Sidi's as I didn't expect anyone to contend

Cookie_Monster

Doctor Bob wrote: »

The NTA paid for the lights.

from where?

maybe it's just me but I find the need to hand out lights to people because they are to lazy / cheap / stupid or inconsiderate to buy there own a bit much tbh. Rather than hand out lights why don't they just hand out fines, you'd never seen them giving free bulbs to motorists at checkpoints

CramCycle

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

from where?

maybe it's just me but I find the need to hand out lights to people because they are to lazy / cheap / stupid or inconsiderate to buy there own a bit much tbh. Rather than hand out lights why don't they just hand out fines, you'd never seen them giving free bulbs to motorists at checkpoints

They do that in Cambridge, if your found cycling without lights you are fined, and you receive a set of lights paid for out of the fine. Better system IMO

Doctor Bob

stas wrote: »

Your evidence is inconclusive

I respectfully submit, m'lud, the following item for your consideration:

In particular a limited supply of highly visible LED bicycle lights, which have been provided by the NTA, will be distributed to cyclists who require them for their bicycles and who wish to improve their road safety whilst being compliant with Road Traffic laws.

So say The Guards.

And an actual Guard (in a uniform!) also told me as much, and the lights have the NTA logo on them.

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

from where?

Umm, from taxpayers' money. Or did you mean where did the lights come from? Why? Are you worried about the air miles?

Cookie_Monster

Doctor Bob wrote: »

Or did you mean where did the lights come from? Why? Are you worried about the air miles?

no, just wondering how they bought then, via a brother friends niece's local company ;) or direct is all

Qualitymark

I got a few of these little lights in Holland but they ran out in no time flat. Are they disposable (eeek! the environment!!!) or can you replace the battery?

Seaneh

CramCycle wrote: »

They do that in Cambridge, if your found cycling without lights you are fined, and you receive a set of lights paid for out of the fine. Better system IMO

That's actually a pretty good idea.

Fine them €20, give them a set of lights, keep the balance to pay admin costs.

kenmc

Seaneh wrote: »

That's actually a pretty good idea.

Fine them €20, give them a set of lights, keep the balance to pay admin costs.

a twenty euro set of lights? you'd be better off with a bag of tea-lights.

Lusk Doyle

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

no, just wondering how they bought then, via a brother friends niece's local company ;) or direct is all

Who gives a fiddlers?

Doctor Bob

Lusk Doyle wrote: »

Who gives a fiddlers?

That would be the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Qualitymark wrote: »

I got a few of these little lights in Holland but they ran out in no time flat. Are they disposable (eeek! the environment!!!) or can you replace the battery?

I haven't opened mine yet, but I got a very similar set at a conference a couple of years ago which weren't disposable. They take a CR3032 (?) battery - like the old 5p piece - which can be expensive if bought individually but pretty cheap if bought in bulk from somewhere like 7 Day Shop.

Qualitymark

Doctor Bob wrote: »

That would be the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.



I haven't opened mine yet, but I got a very similar set at a conference a couple of years ago which weren't disposable. They take a CR3032 (?) battery - like the old 5p piece - which can be expensive if bought individually but pretty cheap if bought in bulk from somewhere like 7 Day Shop.

Ah, thanks, will give it a try. I think AldLidl do them sometimes.

Mcofferon

Qualitymark wrote: »

Ah, thanks, will give it a try. I think AldLidl do them sometimes.

Ikea also if you can brave the Xmas crowds

Qualitymark

Mcofferon wrote: »

Ikea also if you can brave the Xmas crowds

There are Xmas crowds? This is good news. Was in town yesterday and the only things that seemed to be selling were food and fingerless gloves! Maybe it'll loosen up after the Budget. Or maybe not. Or maybe for some people and not for others.

Seaneh

kenmc wrote: »

a twenty euro set of lights? you'd be better off with a bag of tea-lights.

You can buy a perfectly functional set of lights in a lbs for €25, considering they wouldn't be trying to make a profit on the lights (in theory) then €15 is realistic. They wouldn't be for night time training on backroads in the wicklow mountains. Just just have to be good enough so people can be seen on theie bikes at night in urban/sub urban areas.

Qualitymark

Seaneh wrote: »

You can buy a perfectly functional set of lights in a lbs for €25.

Whassat?

Seaneh

Qualitymark wrote: »

Whassat?

local bike shop.

Qualitymark

Seaneh wrote: »

local bike shop.

a tx

kenmc

Seaneh wrote: »

You can buy a perfectly functional set of lights in a lbs for €25, considering they wouldn't be trying to make a profit on the lights (in theory) then €15 is realistic. They wouldn't be for night time training on backroads in the wicklow mountains. Just just have to be good enough so people can be seen on theie bikes at night in urban/sub urban areas.

2 tiny blinkies? rather you than me

Seaneh

kenmc wrote: »

2 tiny blinkies? rather you than me

No, something like these, which get a really good review here. Like I said, they wouldn't be for night training in the middle of nowhere on unlit roads but would be perfect as town lights, which is all they would need to be.


Not everyone needs a set of Hope Vision R4's or Exposure Maxx-D's.

dahamsta

"Lbs", honest to god. :rolleyes:

As others have pointed out, I can't understand why my taxes are being spent on this. If people are too stupid to go out and buy lights for their bike, let them get wiped out, good riddance. Natural selection at its best.

If the guards feel the need to throw money at something, buy some hammers and use them to smash the ridiculously bright and/or distracting lights some cyclists deem appropriate.

buffalo

dahamsta wrote: »

"Lbs", honest to god. :rolleyes:

As others have pointed out, I can't understand why my taxes are being spent on this. If people are too stupid to go out and buy lights for their bike, let them get wiped out, good riddance. Natural selection at its best.

If the guards feel the need to throw money at something, buy some hammers and use them to smash the ridiculously bright and/or distracting lights some cyclists deem appropriate.

"That cyclist's lights are too dark. Oh, but that cyclist's lights are too bright!"

Well Goldilocks, care to let us know what lights are just right? I'd hate for someone to think I was 'ridiculous' for not wanting to be knocked down.

Qualitymark

Have to say I think this is a brilliant campaign. The Gardaí are using a two-pronged approach: they have people handing out lights, and they're stopping people without lights and giving them summonses.

If they were only summonsing people we'd all be furious that they're not chasing stabbers and shooters. This way they're tackling the problem from both ends.

(As for whether lights should be too bright or too dim: the biggest danger for cyclists in Ireland is after dark on wet city roads, when the cyclist's light has to compete with the reflections of car lights, brake lights, indicators; traffic lights; lamppost lights; shop lights - all reflected on the wet roads. Brighter the better, blinkier the better, say I.)

dahamsta

buffalo wrote: »

"That cyclist's lights are too dark. Oh, but that cyclist's lights are too bright!"

There's a difference between nonexistent and dark, dummy.

Well Goldilocks, care to let us know what lights are just right? I'd hate for someone to think I was 'ridiculous' for not wanting to be knocked down.

"Goldilocks"? What age are you, ten?

I'll use small words, since you seem to have a learning difficulty: if you don't have lights, you have lights but they're too dim, or you have lights that could be used to illuminate a football pitch, then you deserve to be knocked down. I know exactly what category smartasses like you fit in - you look like a complete numpty in all that gear btw - and I hope it hurts like a bitch when it happens.

That clear enough for you, asshat?

Mod Note: dahamsta has been banned for this post.

buffalo

I seem to have a habit of bringing out the worst in people. Non-existent lights would mean no light, which is darkness! Forgive me for taking artistic liberties.

Are you suggesting that there are cyclists out there with lights brighter than car headlights? Powered by a couple of AA batteries, or a small li-ion unit?

Dermot Illogical

dahamsta wrote: »

There's a difference between nonexistent and dark, dummy.



"Goldilocks"? What age are you, ten?

I'll use small words, since you seem to have a learning difficulty: if you don't have lights, you have lights but they're too dim, or you have lights that could be used to illuminate a football pitch, then you deserve to be knocked down. I know exactly what category smartasses like you fit in - you look like a complete numpty in all that gear btw - and I hope it hurts like a bitch when it happens.

That clear enough for you, asshat?

Is this the standard level of friendly service offered by the company linked in your signature, or can clients pay extra to be insulted in a more professional manner?

dahamsta

Luckily for me, my customers aren't giant retards.

Dermot Illogical

dahamsta wrote: »

Luckily for me, my customers aren't giant retards.

You think?
Looking through your company profile it would appear you don't have too many of them either.

Beasty

dahamsta wrote: »

Luckily for me, my customers aren't giant retards.

dahamsta do not post in this thread again. Everyone else please ignore him. I am currently on mobile and will deal with the abusive posts when I get back on the full site (unless one of the other mods gets to it first)

Chips Lovell

Dahamsta banned for personal abuse.

buffalo

Qualitymark wrote: »

Have to say I think this is a brilliant campaign. The Gardaí are using a two-pronged approach: they have people handing out lights, and they're stopping people without lights and giving them summonses.

If they were only summonsing people we'd all be furious that they're not chasing stabbers and shooters. This way they're tackling the problem from both ends.

(As for whether lights should be too bright or too dim: the biggest danger for cyclists in Ireland is after dark on wet city roads, when the cyclist's light has to compete with the reflections of car lights, brake lights, indicators; traffic lights; lamppost lights; shop lights - all reflected on the wet roads. Brighter the better, blinkier the better, say I.)

To bring this back OT, +1 on your last paragraph. Bright to be seen, blinking so as to make sure I'm not mistaken for a car that's further away.

I'm not sure how I feel about the "taxpayers' money" angle. Maybe if they did around TCD/UCD where there's (stereotypically) poor students, I'd agree more with it. But I would've thought the average commuting worker should be able to spare a few quid for lights.

notGill

buffalo wrote: »

I'm not sure how I feel about the "taxpayers' money" angle. Maybe if they did around TCD/UCD where there's (stereotypically) poor students, I'd agree more with it. But I would've thought the average commuting worker should be able to spare a few quid for lights.

I'm head of the Cycling Club in DCU and I'm going to contact them about coming up to us. The amount of students (and staff) I see now cycling with no lights after 5 o'clock along the pitch black avenue has to be seen to be believed!

Qualitymark

buffalo wrote: »

average commuting worker should be able to spare a few quid for lights.

Not everyone cycling is earning, by any means.

Cookie_Monster

Qualitymark wrote: »

Not everyone cycling is earning, by any means.

If you can afford a bike you can afford lights and besidea that you'll save enough in bus fare in a week to adford them again

IrishHomer

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

If you can afford a bike you can afford lights and besidea that you'll save enough in bus fare in a week to adford them again

Plenty of us get bikes free as hand me downs etc!

Beasty

IrishHomer wrote: »

Plenty of us get bikes free as hand me downs etc!

Well if you don't get the lights also, make sure you only cycle in daylight. As CM pointed out, it's saving the busfare so if you do need to cycle when it's dark make sure you abide by the law and have the lights on - you never know it may save you a lot more than a few euros (a trip to casualty can be €100, and a court fine will probably cost you half a day off work also)

Qualitymark

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

If you can afford a bike you can afford lights and besidea that you'll save enough in bus fare in a week to adford them again

Many of those now unemployed bought bikes when they were employed.

You don't "save" bus fare if it's a choice between walking and cycling.

Dermot Illogical

You can pick up lights for less than a fiver. Ninjas got no excuses.