"Grunty Grogan" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 01 Apr 2006 21:00:24 GMT, "Gooserider"
wrote:

The negative aspect you mentioned is exactly why they're perfect for
nighttime road cyclists. When you look right at the guy behind the wheel,
he
knows you're there.
Oh, NO argument there. By the actions in my town of Moo-U-V drivers,
it would only make me a better target. I gave up pavement, and just
stick to trails. This is too bad, because I lose the store and Post
Office runs on the bike, and smooth pavement is a luxury now. But I
live in a suburb with very narrow country roads, sometimes with steep
banking and no place to escape..not even the escape hatch of a
sidewalk or shoulder, in some places. I fear it is better in my case
to not provide such a tempting target. If you lightstruck one of
them, well, they are already in a feral condition to begin with, and
NOTHING is as important as getting their kids to soccer.
Especially anything as trivial as my life.
(Pardon the mood today, but I did have a narrow escape with one only
an hour ago. The side mirror DID miss my elbow, so no real harm done.
It was a glorious Spring day, and possibly the cagers are entering the
Breeding Phase.)


Oh I've found having a light on my lid has been instrumental in getting
motorists to notice I'm there much sooner than when I didn't have a light on
my lid. Oncoming drivers dip their headlights *much* sooner, thus indicating
they've seen me much sooner than previously - in my book this is increasing
my safety on the roads. Indeed I've found another advantage to a lid-mounted
light - if the oncoming traffic doesn't dip headlights, a swift direct look
from me to where the driver of the offending vehicle is located soon makes
them realise I'm there - again, increasing my safety. I don't always look
directly where an oncoming driver is, but having the facility to do so has
made my night-time cycling far safer IMO. It's not necessary to *stare* for
a *long time* at an oncoming driver and dazzle him/her, but a swift look
certainly gets their attention - which is a good thing. Indeed I've had
motorists comment on how visible I am when cycling at night and how they
view this as a good thing and have even said they wish other cyclists were
as visible as I am.

Cheers, helen s