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In a lot of states, a cyclist riding at night without a rear light is also breaking the law and at fault.

jschwartzi 7y ago
Yep, and I've still managed to avoid hitting all of those I've encountered by driving slower at night in places where I can't see as far ahead of my vehicle.
- falcolas 7y ago
  So far. Just hope that you're never distracted at just the wrong time. It only takes a couple of seconds to overrun your headlights, even at lower speeds. A car with high beams cresting a hill behind you. A car with high beams cresting the hill in front of you. An animal. A drink. A radio station change. A text message.
  - SketchySeaBeast 7y ago
    But a light or bright clothes won't change that situation - if you're distracted or are coming up to the top of a hill reflection won't save the biker.
    - falcolas 7y ago
      It’s the difference between having 4 seconds to avoid a collision, and having 30 or more (I’ve seen a few well outfitted bikers over a mile away before). Reflectors make that big of a difference; they don’t look or move naturally, and thus play well to our night vision strengths, even to a distracted driver.
      - jschwartzi 7y ago
        I agree that bicyclists should outfit their bikes to be visible in the conditions they will encounter. But it it's also our responsibility as drivers to maintain a sense of the unseen hazards of our environment so as to avoid killing people who aren't as savvy as us. I wouldn't personally cycle without lights or reflectors but the fact that tons of people do means that if I'm not sure then I must assume there's someone out there.
        CalRobert 7y ago
        Also, sometimes people are walking in dark clothes on the road. Maybe their car broke down. Maybe they're trick or treating. Maybe they were out later than expected. Regardless, demanding other people dress like the world is a construction site so you can drive fast is impolite.
- lostapathy 7y ago
  I'm not disagreeing that it's your responsibility to not crash, but as noted farther up - people hit wildlife all the time. It's pretty rare for somebody who hits a deer to be charged with reckless driving, so it's not like there is actually an absolute responsibility to never out drive your headlights. Besides the legal aspects, anyone riding a bike after dark without any illumination is being irresponsible. Whether the car is at fault or not, it's not going to be the guy in the car who dies from it.

Yep, and I've still managed to avoid hitting all of those I've encountered by driving slower at night in places where I can't see as far ahead of my vehicle.

falcolas 7y ago
So far. Just hope that you're never distracted at just the wrong time. It only takes a couple of seconds to overrun your headlights, even at lower speeds. A car with high beams cresting a hill behind you. A car with high beams cresting the hill in front of you. An animal. A drink. A radio station change. A text message.
- SketchySeaBeast 7y ago
  But a light or bright clothes won't change that situation - if you're distracted or are coming up to the top of a hill reflection won't save the biker.
  - falcolas 7y ago
    It’s the difference between having 4 seconds to avoid a collision, and having 30 or more (I’ve seen a few well outfitted bikers over a mile away before). Reflectors make that big of a difference; they don’t look or move naturally, and thus play well to our night vision strengths, even to a distracted driver.
    - jschwartzi 7y ago
      I agree that bicyclists should outfit their bikes to be visible in the conditions they will encounter. But it it's also our responsibility as drivers to maintain a sense of the unseen hazards of our environment so as to avoid killing people who aren't as savvy as us. I wouldn't personally cycle without lights or reflectors but the fact that tons of people do means that if I'm not sure then I must assume there's someone out there.
      - CalRobert 7y ago
        Also, sometimes people are walking in dark clothes on the road. Maybe their car broke down. Maybe they're trick or treating. Maybe they were out later than expected. Regardless, demanding other people dress like the world is a construction site so you can drive fast is impolite.
lostapathy 7y ago
I'm not disagreeing that it's your responsibility to not crash, but as noted farther up - people hit wildlife all the time. It's pretty rare for somebody who hits a deer to be charged with reckless driving, so it's not like there is actually an absolute responsibility to never out drive your headlights. Besides the legal aspects, anyone riding a bike after dark without any illumination is being irresponsible. Whether the car is at fault or not, it's not going to be the guy in the car who dies from it.