Spoke Lights

CatFromHue

Anyone use spoke lights?

This evening a car pulled out in front of me from a minor road on the opposite side of the road to me causing me to slow right down and give way.

Was thinking spoke lights may help this not happening again.

tacklemore

It may be uncool, but I have 4 spoke reflectors on each wheel. Dirt cheap courtesy of lidl/aldi

Lumen

tacklemore wrote: »

It may be uncool, but I have 4 spoke reflectors on each wheel. Dirt cheap courtesy of lidl/aldi

Regardless of coolness I don't think reflectors really achieve anything. How much time do you spend directly in front of but perpendicular to an oncoming vehicle?

Qualitymark

http://www.hokeyspokes.com Woo-Hoo!

TychoCaine

I've got these on my kid's bikes and they *really* work. They're very visible from the side. A bargain @ €6 for 36.
https://www.aldi.ie/en/specialbuys/thursday-26th-september/products-detail-page/ps/p/bicycle-spoke-reflectors/

tacklemore

Lumen wrote: »

Regardless of coolness I don't think reflectors really achieve anything. How much time do you spend directly in front of but perpendicular to an oncoming vehicle?

Couple of seconds. Could be the difference between being seen and not being seen

Qualitymark

I'd kinda love these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Reflective-Cycle-Spoke-Beads-Pack/dp/B00C77K7TS

but I think they're only in America.

hypersonic

I have been tempted by these, 20euro, nothing to do with safety I just love bicycle tat!

http://www.buyincoins.com/item/25913.html

Qualitymark

hypersonic wrote: »

I have been tempted by these, 20euro, nothing to do with safety I just love bicycle tat!

http://www.buyincoins.com/item/25913.html

Wooo! For your inner John Travolta and Olivia Newton John!

Surveyor11

I have spoke reflectors on my commuter - My view is it can't harm and enhances my visibility. In saying that, cars will still pull out in front of a 150 lumen flashing strobe that can be seen from miles away - there's a strong 'ah sure it's only some fella on a bike' attitude out there. Bottom line - always give cars the benefit of the doubt in these situations.

tomasrojo

Sheldon Brown has a page about this, and it agrees with Lumen.

I recommend, as always, wrist lights. I still plough that lonely furrow.

ford2600

tomasrojo wrote: »

Sheldon Brown has a page about this, and it agrees with Lumen.

I recommend, as always, wrist lights. I still plough that lonely furrow.

Can't post from phone but have read papers where drivers perception of motorcyclists with lights on (during day)was tested.

It makes little or no difference. An emerging motor vehicle is primarly concerned with his/her safety and despite looking will often not see cyclist/motorcyclist.

They will probably see unlit truck though....

Extra lights won't do any harm, but correct road position, awareness and general road craft are your best allies

Surveyor11

ford2600 wrote: »

Can't post from phone but have read papers where drivers perception of motorcyclists with lights on (during day)was tested.

It makes little or no difference. An emerging motor vehicle is primarly concerned with his/her safety and despite looking will often not see cyclist/motorcyclist.

They will probably see unlit truck though....

Extra lights won't do any harm, but correct road position, awareness and general road craft are your best allies

Totally agree here. Unless I have eye contact in a situation where a car is pulling out, I'll generally ease back to see what the driver is up to, or at least prepare for an emergency manoeuvre. Ironically, the most dangerous junction for me (in my own experience) is right beside my house - it's into another section of the estate. I would say it's almost a certainty that a driver will pull out in front of me from this road night or day - I've tried it all, single lights, double lights strobes, hi-vis, waving frantically. Nothing works.

tomasrojo

There's the Sheldon article. Only about relectors though. Feel free to disagree. Many do.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ra-e.html

I agree that road positioning is most important of all. Still, I have found that wrist lights made a very clear difference for me. Whether they're worth the extra bother is another question, but I'm convinced.

Hrududu

I got these recently:

http://www.niteize.com/product/SpokeLit.asp

But haven't had a chance to try them out yet. Once the evenings get a little darker I'll be sticking them on.

Brian?

Surveyor11 wrote: »

Totally agree here. Unless I have eye contact in a situation where a car is pulling out, I'll generally ease back to see what the driver is up to, or at least prepare for an emergency manoeuvre. Ironically, the most dangerous junction for me (in my own experience) is right beside my house - it's into another section of the estate. I would say it's almost a certainty that a driver will pull out in front of me from this road night or day - I've tried it all, single lights, double lights strobes, hi-vis, waving frantically. Nothing works.

I find this to be very accurate. I find simply not trusting drivers is the best method of self defense.

A mini bus driver looked straight at me and pulled out last Wednesday, if my own instinct of easing off slightly when I saw him hadn't kicked in it could have been close.