Safety - Unlit versus Lit roads

[Drinky]

Does anyone know if there is any definitive view on the merits of cycling on roads with
streetlighting as opposed to roads without?

I have 2 commuting routes; 1 predominately lit (main roads), the other predominantly unlit (lanes).
In summer, it's a no brainer but now that the nights draw in, there seem to be merits to both.

The unlit has much less traffic - but it is often going at higher speeds. Also, there is the
momentary dazzling from oncoming traffic which gives me the shivers whenever there is also something
approaching from behind as I always wonder if I've been seen. Also, junctions are very tricky as
drivers are often looking only for headlights before pulling out.

The lit has much more traffic, it's generally moving more slowly (because there is more of it),
there is less dazzling from oncoming traffic and junctions are lit. However, the heavier traffic
presents its own dangers.

All views are very welcome as neither option seems to be very good.

Regards,

Mark

 

[rigsby@degsy]

Personally I would take the lit route as I think I would be seen
far better than a dark fast country lane.

As for the heavier traffic... as long as you can see & hear the vehicles coming in both directions...You have control of what will happen 99% of the time & with the traffic moving slower, this should improve your chances of reacting in the event of bad driving & you should see it happening before it gets too serious.

The fast unlit lane makes yours & the drivers reaction time non existent & far more likely to end in a serious accident plus the fact
that you might get hit, the driver may not even realise this & you could be left by the lane for some time before help arrives.

Just make sure you are well lit up whilst in the traffic.

Del.

 

[Adrian Boliston]

"Drinky" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

> Does anyone know if there is any definitive view on the merits of cycling on roads with
> streetlighting as opposed to roads without?

I *hate* riding on unlit roads as you have to keep speed down to avoid risk of unseen things like
potholes etc

 

[Wafflydirtycatl]

>definitive view on the merits of cycling on roads with streetlighting as opposed to roads without?

Take the lighted route.

Cheers, helen s

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[Iarocu]

"Drinky" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> Does anyone know if there is any definitive view on the merits of cycling on roads with
> streetlighting as opposed to roads without?
>
Given the option of a route on urban well lit roads with 30 or 40 mph speed limits which didn,t
involve a long detour I would always go for that. Drivers have more time to see you as they
approach. But unlit 60 mph roads can also be safe depending more on the volume of traffic than
anything else. Get good lights front and back. At least a 5w rechargeable front light, preferably
10w and oncoming traffic sees you well away. Have 2 back lights (Cateye LD600s are good) and
clothing with Scotchlite or similiar reflective material on
it.I frequently use a commuting route on a rural road at night When the traffic is light and I find
I get given more room by passing cars than during the day. The worse time to use the road is in
fact in the daylight morning rush hour period. I,ve no statistics to back it up but my feeling is
that the greatest risk of being struck by an overtaking vehicle is when the road is busy and
drivers are tailgating and they do not see a cyclist until the last second because their forward
view was obstructed by them travelling too close to the vehicle in front. The other case is where
there is a low sun dazzling the driver. cheers Iain C

 

[Adrian Boliston]

"iarocu" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

> ..... I,ve no statistics to back it up but my feeling is that the greatest risk of being struck by
> an overtaking vehicle is when the road is busy and drivers are tailgating and they do not see a
> cyclist until the last second because their forward view was obstructed by them travelling too
> close to the vehicle in front....

They would have to be pretty dopey not to notice all the cars in the line immediately ahead of them
each pulling out to overtake the cyclist in turn!

 

[Zog The Undenia]

Drinky wrote:

> Does anyone know if there is any definitive view on the merits of cycling on roads with
> streetlighting as opposed to roads without?
>
> I have 2 commuting routes; 1 predominately lit (main roads), the other predominantly unlit
> (lanes). In summer, it's a no brainer but now that the nights draw in, there seem to be merits
> to both.
>
> The unlit has much less traffic - but it is often going at higher speeds. Also, there is the
> momentary dazzling from oncoming traffic which gives me the shivers whenever there is also
> something approaching from behind as I always wonder if I've been seen. Also, junctions are very
> tricky as drivers are often looking only for headlights before pulling out.
>
> The lit has much more traffic, it's generally moving more slowly (because there is more of it),
> there is less dazzling from oncoming traffic and junctions are lit. However, the heavier traffic
> presents its own dangers.
>
> All views are very welcome as neither option seems to be very good.

I'd have an unlit quiet road! If I use a lit road to get home, it's one with a 50mph limit (traffic
tends to go at 60-70) and my little back light would disappear among all the other lights.

If the lit road has a 30mph limit I'd use it.

 

[Anonymous]

"Adrian Boliston" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "iarocu" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
> > ..... I,ve no statistics to back it up but my feeling is that the greatest risk of being struck
> > by an overtaking vehicle is when the road is busy and drivers are tailgating and they do not see
> > a cyclist until the last second because their forward view was obstructed by them travelling too
> > close to the vehicle in front....
>
> They would have to be pretty dopey not to notice all the cars in the line immediately ahead of
> them each pulling out to overtake the cyclist in
turn!

You are talking about drivers here.

Good argument for the primary position though - if the cars have to move then at least they might
have that little clue. If they don't have to move and don't, then the one behind who is a little to
the left could get it wrong.

cheers, clive

 

[Mads]

> I *hate* riding on unlit roads as you have to keep speed down to avoid
risk of
> unseen things like potholes etc

Using a B&M light and a SON dynamo hub (although a B&M bell dynamo would work fine too) I find I can
go almost as fast as in daylight (although I tend to stay under 30km/h). The only problem I have
with dark roads is drivers who don't think they have to dim their headlights for cyclists.

Mads

 

[Just Zis Guy]

news:[email protected]...

> Good argument for the primary position though - if the cars have to move then at least they might
> have that little clue. If they don't have to move and don't, then the one behind who is a little
> to the left could get it wrong.

Yeah, but then when one of the clueless gits hits you it'll be your fault for misjudging either the
speed of the vehicle behind or your own ability to cross the road without inconveniencing the
traffic behind or in fact endangering yourself.[1]

[1] (c) Michael Gwynne, HM Coroner, Telford & Wrekin.

--
Guy
===

WARNING: may contain traces of irony. Contents may settle after posting.
http://www.chapmancentral.com

 

[Ian Smith]

On Tue, 7 Oct 2003, Adrian Boliston <[email protected]> wrote:

> They would have to be pretty dopey not to notice all the cars in the line immediately ahead of
> them each pulling out to overtake the cyclist in turn!

Well, I've ssen a motorist fail to notice the cars in teh line ahead pulling over for the headlight
flashing, blue light flashing, siren wailing, flourescent striped police car.

Also, it's not uncommon for them to fail to see the stationary queue of traffic in front of me and
insist on overtaking, even if they can't get back to this side of the white lines before meeting teh
back of said queue.

There's a sizeable proportion of motorists who apparently don't look beyond teh back of teh vehicle
in front of them.

regards, Ian SMith
--
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|o o|
|/ \|

 

[Anders Hj]

>... and my little back light would disappear among all the other lights.

That is a good point to remember, I think! By my experience one need quite some _more_ light on the
bike to be seen in the city light than if one drive on a dark road somewhere.

Its a lot easier to se a small dot from a bike light on a dark backgroud in a mirror than a somewhat
brighter dot with the city light as background.

As for choosing, I would take the one, where I felt safest and therefor could drive more relaxed.
Being scared takes the fun out of commuting, I think.

Safe driving,

Anders