Get Some F**king Lights

It really is remarkable how many choose to cycle and allow themselves to not be seen, by anybody. No lights, dark clothing - see it all the time. Just the other day I saw a chap riding along Holborn without a front light, or a saddle/seatpost. About 9.30 pm. It's beyond a joke.

Due to work situation I've been driving in and out of london a lot recently and second everything said. When it's raining and your wing mirrors are completely soaked it's hard enough to tell the difference between a car and a motorbike, let alone spot a bike with no lights. Getting neck pain looking all over the place all the time dodging crazy mofo in rushhour on deathtrap bikes.
I'm amazed there aren't more accidents.

In a perfect world my dick would glow in the dark.

and the sun etc ...

.

Regents Park, about 7.45 last night. Enthusiastic chap on specialized, with tri bars, doing laps. WITH NO LIGHTS!

Really!?

Just bought a fibre flare and now I really am going to look like a Christmas tree. I'm a bit paranoid because all my clothes are stealth, so I'm going with accessories. Bit in a Cycle mag about how reflective stuff is the best idea so might look in to that.

Where's the best position for the fibreflare, RH seat stay?

EDIT:
[URL="http://www.evanscycles.com/product_image/image/01b/03b/ccb/47733/product_page/cinelli-lumen-reflective-bar-tape.jpg
"]reflective bar tape![/URL]

how long do the batteries last in those fibreflare malarkies?

Is it possible to get durable 3M reflective tape? was thinking about modifying a jacket and a bag.

Where's the best position for the fibreflare, RH seat stay?
I don't know if it's the best place for it, but I have mine on my backpack, or on my jacket, to keep it a bit dryer (they don't like lots of water).

how long do the batteries last in those fibreflare malarkies?
They advertise 75 hours on flashing mode. No idea how accurate this is but Last winter I only had to change the batteries once. This winter I have yet to change the batteries (new set about October).

Ah cool that's reasonable, I shall be ordering one.

I think Fibre Flares are utterly gash. Get a decent light.

Already have decent lights front (x2) and rear. Thinking of mounting one of these to my top tube as a bit extra, having been very nearly knocked over a few too many times on these early morning/late night commutes.

I think Fibre Flares are utterly gash. Get a decent light.
Why do you think they're so bad?

Because they are near invisible unless they are on flashing mode, and even then single LEDs emit a far more visible light.

I pulled up a forumenger recently on his lack of a rear light, only for him to point to his Fibreflare, which was on. It was barely visible when riding behind him.

3M Scotchlite in stickyback A4 - the grey super-reflective stuff, it's great cut into strips/stickers and applied to anything, it cracks on thin fabric but I've got some on jackets that have been in the wash a few times and it's still there, the adhesive is good.

A single sheet lasts ages, I think I got some from Evans a few years back, can't see it on their website not sure if they still sell it

I had some of that which I put on my bag, it came off eventually though, I don't think it liked all the movement.

I was thinking of maybe putting in some reinforcing stitches?

Because they are near invisible unless they are on flashing mode, and even then single LEDs emit a far more visible light.

I pulled up a forumenger recently on his lack of a rear light, only for him to point to his Fibreflare, which was on. It was barely visible when riding behind him.

fair point if its being used on its own, I think the main point of having a fibre flare is that its a bit of extra light that can be seen from the side rather than just from the rear. I've just ordered one as a supplementary one with my other 'proper' lights...

I've got to say the Exposure Flare really is excellent. Tiny, well made, light and very bright - and good side visibility too. Really easy to take on and off, you don't need a bracket on your bike. Plus the batteries are tiny, so stock up on cheap disposable batteries in that size and keep a few pairs in your bag. And completely waterproof - you can drop it in a pint as a party trick.

So good I think I'm going to get the front version (the Flash). My 3 led Knog backup front light just seems utterly pathetic now.

The only downside is I'll have spent £70 on lights if I do this. But as the guy in my office who seems to be sponsored by Exposure says, what price your life...

I rode home last night without my lights on. I forgot to switch them on.

Turn on your fucking lights.

Because they are near invisible unless they are on flashing mode, and even then single LEDs emit a far more visible light.

I pulled up a forumenger recently on his lack of a rear light, only for him to point to his Fibreflare, which was on. It was barely visible when riding behind him.

that's funny, because when I've seen them on other users I've consistently been impressed by their visibility and glare-free light. I've had one about a week and other cyclists have commented on how visible it is. Perhaps what you saw was a battery issue?

On the seat stays I recognise that the fibre section needs wiping down regularly.

Exposure Flares are brilliant, some of the best 'small' lights i've ever had. My rear one fell of the other day and was pulped by the car behind :(

Just out of curiosity - does anyone know the legal implications of if driving at night hitting a cyclist with a car if the cyclist has no lights on? There are some people who are begging taken out of the genepool - mainly the cyclists wearing black, on black bikes, at night with no lights on?

The missus had a scare recently when turning left at night and a cyclist undertaking at night with out any lights so was just wondering what would of happened from a legal/police p.o.v.

I've got to say the Exposure Flare really is excellent. Tiny, well made, light and very bright - and good side visibility too. Really easy to take on and off, you don't need a bracket on your bike. Plus the batteries are tiny, so stock up on cheap disposable batteries in that size and keep a few pairs in your bag. And completely waterproof - you can drop it in a pint as a party trick.

So good I think I'm going to get the front version (the Flash). My 3 led Knog backup front light just seems utterly pathetic now.

The only downside is I'll have spent £70 on lights if I do this. But as the guy in my office who seems to be sponsored by Exposure says, what price your life...

Fox, get the rechargeable pack, they come with 2 rechargeable battery and even though it last for about 2-4 days, it's useful especially when it run out, just pop in a new one and place the old one to be charged.

Don't you have the Hope Vision 1 though? isn't it enough for you?

Anyone got any evidence about how many collisions are caused by cyclists not having lights on their bike? And then take in to account how the cyclist was riding etc etc .
We are just perpetuating the idea that cycling is incredibly risky and that we need to have as many safety devices as possible "just in case". A decent front light and a decent back light are all you need. The way you ride is a lot more important than anything you can add after you have those two lights.

Some of the debate here is also whether a single led blinky piece of shit with low batteries is adequate. There are lots of people on the roads who seem to think they will suffice. Though on a wet evening they easily get lost amongst the reflected light from cars and the drizzle of rain.