I was driving south on West Liberty Avenue at about 8:00 on Friday evening when I came across a cyclist, also heading south. He deserves a shout out for the effort he took to be visible. Coming up from behind him I first noticed a 12" x 1" (best guess) reflective strip on each ankle/lower calf. Perhaps a strip around the zippers on his riding tights? Then I noticed at least 3 red blinkies -- the big multi-lamp ones. I think he had one on his bike, one on his backpack, and one on his helmet. In front he had a big nicad looking lamp. Frankly, a flashing light on the front would be a good add. But, he was CLEARLY looking to be seen, and has found a good way to accomplish that. I saw him from a block away, even though I would have thought West Liberty Avenue was somewhat bicycle unfriendly and was NOT expecting to see anyone riding there at that time of day.
Speaking of visibility, I'm wondering if anyone has anything positive or negative to say about helmet-mounted rear blinky. My old bike blinky broke, and I've been riding with just the helmet one. I've been told it's quite bright and visible.
Is there a danger that e.g. someone will lose sight of me when I'm turning my head to look somewhere? Or is it probably okay since I'm only ever looking somewhere briefly?
Yes. You need another source of light fixed in the direction you are traveling. Another light, reflective panels.
I get a lot of positive remarks about my helmet light. Mostly, people ask how I managed to affix the light to the helmet. For reference, I wear this helmet which has a handy plastic band on the back for light clips.
I guess that's a lot classier than a foot or so of 2" clear plastic tape. Still, lacking the classy, the only thing that dislodged the clear tape was a 20-foot over-the-handlebars plummet into a snowbank along with cracking the helmet.
The reason the tape was needed was because the plastic clip had snapped off an otherwise perfectly good $15 blinky that I had attached to the seat post.
Zip ties, Stu.
I also just zip tie my blinkies to the seat post. Lighter and more durable than the silly plastic clips they come with, and you actually need a decent cutting tool in order to walk off with my light.
those little knog frog lights are pretty easy to get into the vents on most helmets. you might need to turn it on before you strap it to the helmet though.
When the clip broke off my blinky, I was able to disassemble it and drill a bolt hole, so now it's permanently affixed to my rack... better than new, I think - although I'm sure the day will come when I end up wishing I could easily remove it.
