Journalism and Cycling 2: the difficult second album

Red Silurian · 09-02-2026 11:20AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124216771#Comment_124216771

You mean the council spoke with stakeholders and got fewer complaints despite the idea (from reading this article) is largely similar to the 2022 version?

khamilton · 09-02-2026 12:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124219754#Comment_124219754

'Why doesn't this apply to car headlights?'

Why won't you answer the very simple question I originally asked you?

I'm not sure why you're now pretending I claimed that you said it did apply to car headlights.

Actually, I do know why you're pretending - you can't answer the simple question above, which means you can't explain why you posted an absurd claim that bright bike lights would magically lead to more head-on collisions, with cyclists at fault.

Also, pointing out your pattern of posting isn't 'abuse', or else the moderators would have stepped in. But feel free to report my posts, and I'll go back and cherry pick multiple examples of you behaving exactly in the way that I've stated if the mods have any issue with what I've posted.

hans aus dtschl · 09-02-2026 01:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124220098#Comment_124220098

Yes. It's sort of fun proving them to be wrong the first few times, but it actually gets a bit boring after a while tbh. It's like dealing with a bot or something, just whack-a-mole against the more subtle anti-cycling tropes.

I guess it does sharpen us up for dealing with people in real life who rant on about cycling/cyclists, but is it really necessary in the cycling forum?

magicbastarder · 09-02-2026 01:12PM

(mod hat on)

just to nip this in the bud - @Red Silurian the opportunity is open to you to explain that if you think a cyclist with an overly bright light is causing circumstances which could lead to a motorist 'smashing into you'; whether or not that is an issue with the far greater number of cars with dazzling lights causing the same.

(handy hint - a response of 'i never said they wouldn't' is not answering the question)

Red Silurian · 09-02-2026 01:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124220098#Comment_124220098

I didn't say anything at all about car headlights, that was always you

Happy to report you for abuse

Red Silurian · 09-02-2026 02:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124220149#Comment_124220149

Certainly happy to explain

Very bright lights on a bike might dazzle an oncoming driver if the beam hit a driver in the eyes. There is then a subsequent chance of control of the vehicle being lost by said driver. Should a bike be in the vicinity of said vehicle, which it has a chance of being due to the light on the bike being the one that dazzled the driver, there is a chance of the bike being hit by the car.

If what is being sought is my opinion on whether bright lights from a car could cause the same accident my answer is yes, of course it could. To answer what I think is your question, yes, it is of course a bigger problem with motorised vehicles. But this isn't the motors forum, it is the cycling one, so I can't see how it is a relevant question

magicbastarder · 09-02-2026 02:13PM

your hesistance to talk about cars in this thread is puzzling given you've previously talked about cars and motorists in this thread.

and of course it's a relevant question. if a dazzling bike light (which is fairly rare) can cause such crashes, the much higher prevalence of dazzling car lights (including people not dipping their beams, which has been around for many many decades) would surely leave a large trail of evidence that it can cause crashes. which IIRC was the question originally posed as a result of your comment.

MojoMaker · 09-02-2026 02:39PM

Red Silurian, I'd quit gracefully if I were you. You've been caught out and no amount of deflecting or backtracking is going to alter the flow of the thread. You've met some strong, articulate, and well-informed posters here (unlike in the motors forum) that are not easy to hoodwink.

Having said all that, I am noticing more and more often some quite dazzling lights from e-scooters recently, almost seeming to be angled upwards right into the eye-line of oncoming traffic, versus pointing dead ahead for visibility purposes. I'm kinda wondering if this is accidental, by design, or something more insidious now. Becoming a problem around Dublin at least.

Red Silurian · 09-02-2026 02:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124220341#Comment_124220341

I haven't gone looking but I'm sure there is evidence out there that overly bright car lights cause more accidents than overly bright bike lights... I get the feeling I don't need to prove this statement

The question that was originally posted back on page 315

Why doesn't this apply to car headlights? I haven't heard of the recent spate of head-on crashes due to LED headlights, but apparently its a well-known phenomenon according to [me]?

Now I'm not sure where I said this didn't apply to car headlights, if the poster who asked this question could confirm that now it would be great

While at it perhaps the poster could point out where I mentioned it was a "well-known phenomenon"

We all get it wrong from time to time but I think you will agree that there's no need to get abusive. In most forums on boards abusive posts aren't tolerated

khamilton · 09-02-2026 04:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124220431#Comment_124220431

I haven't gone looking but I'm sure there is evidence out there that overly bright car lights cause more accidents than overly bright bike lights... I get the feeling I don't need to prove this statement

Why do you get the 'feeling' that you don't need to provide evidence for a factual statement?

Now I'm not sure where I said this didn't apply to car headlights, if the poster who asked this question could confirm that now it would be great

Because, as you finally acknowledged, days and many posts later, if dazzling led lights on bikes lead to an increased spate of head-on crashes between cyclists and motorists, clearly dazzling led lights on cars should lead to an increased spate of head-on crashes between motorists, particularly as there are now many millions (if not tens of millions) of cars across the world with dazzling LED headlights.

I've not come across any research that says there have been a marked increase in head-on crashes between vehicles due to LED headlights, and I'm pretty sure it would be headline news if there were. But then, I don't rely on 'feelings' for evidence.

We all get it wrong from time to time but I think you will agree that there's no need to get abusive.

Posting something that you dislike isn't the same as the comment being abusive.

Now I'm not sure where I said this didn't apply to car headlights, if the poster who asked this question could confirm that now it would be great

Let's briefly demonstrate your engagement:

You: All fun and games until you blind an oncoming driver (with an absurdly bright LED bicycle light) who subsequently smashes into you

Me: Why doesn't this apply to car headlights?

You: Who said it doesn't apply to car headlights?

Me: If it applies to car headlights, given there are now millions of cars with absurdly bright LED headlights across the world, please show me the evidence that shows they're increasing the rate of head-on collisions, as you claimed is the case with absurdly bright bike lights.

You: When did I claim that it applies to car headlights?

Me: You claimed that absurdly bright led bike lights would lead to head-on crashes with vehicles. I asked, if that's the case, where's the evidence of the surge of head-on crashes between vehicles considering the massive rise in vehicles with absurdly bright headlights.

You: Again I ask, when did I claim that it applies to car headlights? If you don't have an answer just accept that you are wrong

Me: 'Why doesn't this apply to car headlights?' Why won't you answer the very simple question I originally asked you?

You: I didn't say anything at all about car headlights, that was always you

No, you're definitely not dissembling or playing at faux-stupidity.

Red Silurian · 09-02-2026 04:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124220835#Comment_124220835

Why do you get the 'feeling' that you don't need to provide evidence for a factual statement?

Is this a serious question? What do you actually think happens when a driver gets temporarily blinded by oncoming lights? I guess you are one of the few people who do need some evidential proof so here you go

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn971jlpvvro

https://news.sky.com/story/three-in-four-motorists-blinded-by-dazzling-headlights-aa-says-13287998

https://www.pjohare.com/blog/the-rising-concern-of-headlight-glare-in-northern-ireland

Just to be clear, you're suggesting, that dazzling LED lights on cars don't cause accidents? Or is your suggestion that high powered LED bike lights are more of a risk than similar car lights?

Because unless your answer to either of the above is "yes" then we largely agree!

Posting something that you dislike isn't the same as the comment being abusive.

Abusive comments

You do show off ~~car brain~~ motonormativity a lot for someone who insists they're pro-cycling.

See, now you're playing at faux-stupidity.

No, you're definitely not dissembling or playing at faux-stupidity. [nice dig when related to earlier dig]

khamilton · 09-02-2026 04:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124220895#Comment_124220895

Finding a headlight 'annoying' and describing it as 'blinding' is a subjective assessment. None of the links you provided actually provide data that there has been an increase in head-on crashes.

To repeat, again, there are now millions (if not tens of millions) of cars with absurd led headlights on the roads. I've never seen any news reports with evidence linking this to an increase in accidents. If your supposition, that a bike light that will be significantly less bright than a car headlight, will lead to head-on crashes, there should be a huge spate of head-on vehicle crashes linked to led headlights.

Or, you were displaying your biases and posted a silly comment about bike lights and then completely derailed the thread when called to back it up.

Take your pick.

Also, sorry, but, car brain isn't 'abuse' nor is writing that you're playing at faux-stupidity - particularly when I conclusively proved it in the very comment you're replying to.

Red Silurian · 09-02-2026 05:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124220919#Comment_124220919

None of the links you provided actually provide data that there has been an increase in head-on crashes.

Tell me you didn't check the evidence without telling me you didn't open the web pages

Dazzling headlights contributed to 216 collisions in 2023, statistics showed, 11 each in Kent and Surrey - the worst affected council areas. This was up from 211 the year before…

It was obviously a silly comment but silly comments do not necessarily indicate biases. I see the problem now is that you are falling for the divide/conquer strategy I mentioned earlier.

khamilton · 09-02-2026 05:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124220946#Comment_124220946

A 2.3% increase in a sample size of 211 isn't evidence of anything, sorry - nor does it show how many were 'head-on crashes' which is what you specifically referred to.

Also, you cut the sentence in half: "This was up from 211 the year before, but down from 315 in 2017 and 309 a decade ago.". Why are you being deliberately misleading about the links you provided?

Your first link:Dazzling headlights are cited as a factor in around 250 accidents a year, but there is no evidence that brighter lights are causing more collisions than previously, the RAC concedes.

Your second link:Ms Greenwood, in her written reply to Mr Downie, said: "National collision statistics, which can record headlamp dazzle as a contributory factor, do not show any discernible trend to suggest that advances in lighting technology are contributing negatively to road vehicle collisions."

Your third link is from personal injury solicitors looking for business.

You're still cherry picking what parts of my comments you're replying to and running away from the rest.

Seth Brundle · 09-02-2026 05:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124220946#Comment_124220946

Tell me you didn't check the evidence without telling me you didn't open the web pages

Where exactly in those three links was the "evidence" that there has been an increase in head-on crashes due to headlights blinding an oncoming driver?

magicbastarder · 09-02-2026 05:23PM

folks - can we drop the headlight debate because it's creating a lot of heat and (may god forgive me) no light.

magicbastarder · 09-02-2026 05:24PM

anyway, a nice bit of cycling-heavy journalism. albeit paywalled.

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/travel/2026/02/09/the-midlife-gap-year-you-start-to-think-about-how-you-can-get-the-most-value-out-of-the-short-time-you-have/

JMcL · 10-02-2026 02:23PM

Bit rich for some lad living in Brussels to have the opinion that we should get over ourselves on hi-viz. I visit that fine city on a reasonably regular basis and have never remarked cyclists riding around disguised as builders

https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/2026/02/10/cyclists-shouldnt-swerve-their-responsibility-to-other-road-users/

MojoMaker · 10-02-2026 02:52PM

Funny how almost every objector, supporting the mandatory wearing of high-viz always manages to squeeze in a "Sure I cycle myself" statement very quickly.

Suspiciously quickly some might say, as if claiming to also cycle lends some sort of legitimacy to their argument.

Red Silurian · 10-02-2026 03:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124223201#Comment_124223201

I've seen some of his stuff before, he's a Norweigian who did his studies in UCD and last I heard 3 years ago he was still living in Ireland but I'll trust you if you're sure he lives in Brussels now.

Like all commentators he comes out with some smart stuff and some not-so-smart stuff. I worry about a cyclist wanting mandatory high-viz, how bad is his cycling that he can't rely on his lights and reflectors?

Thelonious Monk · 10-02-2026 03:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124223526#Comment_124223526

You prob just have to mention high vis to get published in the IT

Unrealistic · 10-02-2026 04:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124223526#Comment_124223526

Dr Ola Løkken Nordrum is still living and working in Ireland. It's today's letter writer, Peter O’Sullivan who wrote to contradict Dr. Nordrum, who is based in Brussels.

JMcL · 10-02-2026 05:34PM

Came across this on Road.cc today, but I'll include the link to Cian's article - Dun Laoghaire Rathdown going to pilot left turns on red at one junction

https://irishcycle.com/2026/02/09/left-on-red-for-bicycles-to-be-trialled-in-dublin/

magicbastarder · 10-02-2026 05:46PM

i assume that'd need legislative change, even to trial?

Paddigol · 10-02-2026 05:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124223559#Comment_124223559

It hurts my brain. The constant moving of goalposts so that it becomes apparent very quickly that it's not about safety, it's about 'othering' and taking secret delight in upsetting people that you have a grudge with. And I don't believe for a second that the majority of people vehemently calling for mandatory hi-viz don't have, in the objective sense of the word, a grudge with cyclists. Ask them to calmly and clearly explain their logic and it quickly becomes a "yeah, but" exercise.

There's just no way that an honest person, after a calm discussion about road sharing and road safety, continues to hold the view that "to make things better? cars? current rules are fine. Cyclists? have to wear helmets and hi-viz". No way. Any whispers now and then about proposals that may impact motorists (congestion charges, lower speed limits, reducing road space for motor vehicles, changing road layouts etc. etc.) are met with universal indignation and hysteria. And unfortunately the media don't seem interested in having that honest, moderated discussion. If it's not click-bait and quick ad-revenue generating they're not interested.

I'm trying to wean myself away from engaging on the topic on here. As seen from the other thread last week, it's a waste of time and just leads to increased blood pressure.

Thelonious Monk · 10-02-2026 06:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124223873#Comment_124223873

I think it's more a case of them already thinking they're overregulated and hard pressed to bits with rules and fines and tax that surely they couldn't be subjected to more and of course people will be killed and maimed but accidents happen plus compared to much of Europe and the past we've a low death count on the roads.

Meanwhile cyclists take the absolute p*ss and aren't policed at all.

Paddigol · 10-02-2026 06:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124223920#Comment_124223920

There's definitely that side of it. But try pulling them up on the "if it saved just one life" argument, or try arguing actual statistics, and it quickly becomes "aRrrrGHhhh F*%$ING cYCliStSSSS!!!!".

I get that we're all guilty of perception bias in certain areas of our lives, but I like to think that I at least have the humility to engage in an honest discussion if asked to and am prepared to accept that I may have been wrong in my original presumptions. Otherwise don't expect to be taken seriously.

Unfortunately 1) they (motor industry lobby, shock jocks, click bait journos, populist local councillors/ TDs) don't engage in an honest discussion and 2) they are taken seriously precisely because so much air time and free passes are given to those indulging in strawman arguments, whataboutery and pure anecdotal conjecture with zero empirical evidence to support it. It becomes almost accepted as fact as a result.

That's the real issue I have.