I know about the obvious stuff like a bright vest, blinking rear light and wearing light colored clothes but is there anything else that I need for when nightfall hits?

  • Free_Thoughts@feddit.uk
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    29 days ago

    blinking rear light

    Blinking lights are my pet-peeve with cyclists. Cars don’t have blinking lights - neither should bikes.

    • Showroom7561@lemmy.ca
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      28 days ago

      We aren’t riding large vehicles, so we have to put more effort into being more visible.

      A combination of a blinking rear light and reflective gear gives us better odds.

    • pc486@sh.itjust.works
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      28 days ago

      Studies have shown that blinking lights improve reaction time to bikes on the road. The most common issue is determining the distance to the bike. This effect is more pronounced during night.

      That’s why I use my bike lights all the time set to blink with a multi-second on phase. It makes me more noticeable and easy to estimate distance.

      Also cars do have blinking lights these days. The newer car models like to blink the center brake light for a second before going static. Motorbikes have also long had rear blinking and “breathing” front light.

      • yonder@sh.itjust.works
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        28 days ago

        The point of blinking bike lights is to be noticed by drivers. Once noticed, divers are able to track you using their headlights and your reflectors.

        Using blinking lights also means I can use a bright light while not running out of battery in the middle of my trip.