So do we have to wear reflective clothing if we walk outside at night as well?

People are either riding a bike because a: they’re hip and environmentally savvy or b: they are poor. So let’s shove more of a financial burden on those who are already too broke to begin with?

The flashing bike lights distract me more than suddenly coming up on a bike.

Maybe we should up the standards and training for people who drive cars and leave bikers alone.

Front lights are more important anyway (as far as preventing accidents is concerned). Rear reflectors show brightly in headlights, but turning traffic can seldom directly see a bicycle at night.

How about: you do what you like with your goddamn bike, and I do what I like with mine? How about that?

“We always want people to do the right thing on their own, but…” is about the most ominous opening possible. Shouldn’t you be in California? “Good afternoon, Ms. Torres. Our traffic cameras showed you having a cigarette while driving to work yesterday, so DNS will be by shortly to take your children away and place them in a smoke-free home. We always want people to do the right thing on their own, but…”

Short version: Your mindset is fucked.

I agree auto drivers should be more aware of the rules of the road for bikers and more accommodating to those traveling on two wheels, but bikers also need to make sure they are safe and can be seen so they don’t get run over. As for my mindset, you’ve really made my point. We shouldn’t need legislation telling people to turn on their headlights at night just like people should know — without being warned by a manufacturer — that the plastic bag used to wrap an item should not be given to a toddler as a plaything. As for the cost: It does take a few bucks to buy a light, but it’s a safety issue for both the bike rider and other people using the roads.

bikes are vehicles, by law.
in louisiana, vehicles are required to use lights at night. sometimes cyclists like to think they’re vehicles, they want to use the roads, but then they don’t want the responsibility of following the rules of the road (riding with traffic or using lights). i drove my truck up behind 2 cyclists without lights on their bikes last night on Magazine. saw them, but they were not obvious (i also diligently keep an eye out for any cyclists).
i am a bike commuter. at night, i always use my lights.

to the question, should pedestrians wear reflective gear? no, they’re not in the street unless they’re crossing at a designated place, and they’re also expected to look both ways before crossing when they don’t have the right-of-way. apples and oranges, pedestrians and bikes. specious argument.

again: Bikes are Vehicles. Treat them that way, riders and motorists.

did it ever occur to anyone that we all have a responsibility to the road and each other? driving or biking, this isn’t every man for himself.

the city would be smart to establish a relationship with the bike shops and offer a discount for both front and back lights.

having just moved back from brooklyn, if you’re riding around (brooklyn/manhattan) without lights, consider yourself roadkill.

screw the possibility of enforcing helmet laws around here (which will never work) but if cyclists want the respect of riding in the roadways it is up to us to announce our presence (via lights) and follow traffic laws.

and to the comment about “The flashing bike lights distract me more than suddenly coming up on a bike.” Flashing lights are better than a dead biker in the road.

It would probably help compliance if bike shops &dept.stores &even auto supplies could be encouraged to carry the required safety lights to retail.Maybe even govt. rebates for first time purchases would help.

This brings to mind when I was in Army stationed @Camp Perry,Ohio for the shooting matches in the summer of ‘65,I brought my old Schwinn on the train from Ft.Benning.Had a Sunday off,&road it to Cedar Point in Sandusky.Coming back,was getting dark,&a state police pulled me over for No Taillight(although did have a large red rear reflector)on state hy.2,(a mostly 2-lane blacktop)& brought me &bike back to post.Had to go to traffic court w/ticket,judge fined me $1!(court cost,he said).I can’t augue the sense of a law like that,even for a not heavy traffic well lit road.But it was & still is not easy to find good safety lites for bikes.Best lite I could find was like a flashlight w/red lens & used that.Since most bicycles don’t have means of charging a storage battery &one for anything else electric,it presents an extra problem.