Cycle Safety: The Winter Months

As we move into winter the days are getting shorter which means by the time most finish work its dark and that makes riding a bike a little more dangerous.

Because bikes are typically ridden on the shoulder of the road, drivers often don't notice riders when they are  turning off, pulling out of an intersection or opening doors, which happened to me on Friday night, and if had been any closer would have been a free ambulance ride. And before you ask, yes I did have lights on.

This got me thinking, there's no point complaining too much about not being seen, hopefully that particular individual has learnt his lesson after having my bag rattle his window at 30km/hr less than a metre from his head....
I am now considering more measures to insure I am seen on the road at night.

Bikes must follow the rules for road going vehicles, white lights in the front and red in the back.
So there's two options brighter lights, or more lights.


http://www.bikelights.com/vis360.html

This option provides front side and rear lights that are claimed powerful enough to stand out amongst other urban lights which may be the problem I have.

This is what may be on the cards which is from the same company 'light and motion"

http://www.bikelights.com/seca1400.html

This headlight puts out 1400 lumen's which is equivalent to most cars on low beam, now that should be noticed!

Other options I am considering are removable reflectors for wearing on my clothing or backpack.
Short of letting off fireworks there is not much more that can be done but be aware of what's happening and treat everyone like an idiot the old cliche