Comments for Ride On

Comment on Top 60 lights for commuting 2013 by Tony

Tony — Fri, 17 May 2013 02:57:52 +0000

Georgio,
You state: “i.e. they are as bright as a car headlight, if not more”.

Why is brighter considered by so many to more desirable and presumably safer? There are now headlights on motor vehicles they are much brighter than they need be. As I’ve said before, riders only need to be seen and see their way without blinding other cyclists and motorists on the road at the same time.

Comment on Top 60 lights for commuting 2013 by David

David — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:50:10 +0000

I’d like to see the nitelights brand tested. They are an Aussie brand (nightlights.com.au) and they are extremely bright and good value.

Comment on An ear on the traffic by smartygirlb

smartygirlb — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:31:27 +0000

Whether you’re on a bicycle or not, you shouldn’t keep your earbuds at 87dB. Sustained exposure to noise of 85dB and louder leads to noice-induced hearing loss.

Comment on Top 60 lights for commuting 2013 by Georgio

Georgio — Mon, 13 May 2013 04:46:58 +0000

I can’t believe there is no mention of CREE LED lighting technology in this review. You can pick up a CREE XML-T6 based LED handlebar lights and torches that are up to 1800 lumens from one LED, i.e. they are as bright as a car headlight, if not more.

I chose to buy a torch so it could be helmet mounted with 2 silicon straps. I purchased from ebay for about $25 with 2 batteries, AC and DC rechargers, pouch etc. The Lithium ion batteries last for 3+ hours at full illumination (it has 5 different modes, including flashing). I can’t understand why anyone uses anything else. The “bang for buck” is unbelievable.

Comment on Electric bikes power up by best electric scooters

best electric scooters — Mon, 13 May 2013 01:33:52 +0000

Yes! Finally something about electric trucks.

Comment on Top 60 lights for commuting 2013 by Chris R.

Chris R. — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:13:04 +0000

Thanks for the article. And yes, the “arms race” on the street is becoming quite annoying. the other day, I was riding behind a tandem bike that had rear lights brighter than a fog light on a car. I was in a red halo, nothing else to be seen but the red glow. When I stopped next to the riders at a red light and addressed them, they were quite ignorant of that fact and said that it was better to be seen, not accepting the fact that they were putting other cyclists in danger.
Unfortunately, the marketing is about the “be seen” and a lot of riders just think about that, not the consequences of those strong lights to the rest of the traffic. So, when you see someone with overly bright lights out there, at least make the aware of the problem and suggest to them to test it themselves (essentially standing behind or in front of their bike and looking into those lights). That makes it safer for all of us.

Comment on Rent a ride by Peter

Peter — Fri, 10 May 2013 09:29:00 +0000

Hi Guys, Sydney has a specialist bike hire business called http://www.livelo.com.au. They rent high quality bikes hourly/daily/weekly, from sunrise to sunset, 7days. Hire bike include helmets, pedals, lights and Garmin GPS with maps.

Comment on Top 60 lights for commuting 2013 by Peter Mackenzie

Peter Mackenzie — Fri, 10 May 2013 06:38:24 +0000

Hi Again

I nearly missed seeing a motorbike from my bus at a roundabout years ago – a combination of angles of approach, big side mirror and an overgrown shrub. Recently the A-pillar on my car hid another small motorbike, but a quick left-to right and back head movement made the difference.
Similarly a back and forward movement took away the blind spots in the side -mirrors, long before those convex mirrors came into vogue.
When pulling out from a curb drivers need to look for cars or bikes coming out from a lane or driveway on the right- ‘cos you won’t see them in side or rear-view mirror.
And I owe thanks to the driver on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Feb 1973 when I tried to lane change into his car on my motorbike , ‘cos no-one told me about blind spots!
To not tell and hsow these things to al road users is negligent, perhaps criminally in my view.
Hope that rave makes sense

Comment on Top 60 lights for commuting 2013 by quimbylips

quimbylips — Fri, 10 May 2013 05:30:04 +0000

What are the head movements to avoid the pillars? When I’m driving I’m always very conscious of cyclists (since I am one usually), but I must admit that visibility inside a car is very limited, and cyclists are small objects. Pillars in particular are troublesome (both front and back). Even when looking out for them I still miss them sometimes, and that’s a worry. Head-checks seem to make cars visible, but a cyclist in just the wrong spot, not so much.

Comment on Top 60 lights for commuting 2013 by quimbylips

quimbylips — Fri, 10 May 2013 05:17:37 +0000

Actually, I realised I have 2 flashing lights on the rear. I’m completely paranoid one will stop working while I’m cycling home. While the legal debate about who was at fault if I did get hit from behind could rage for years (was there/wasn’t there enough street lighting so see the cyclist, etc), that’s scant comfort when you are lying in a hospital. Both rear lights are low-powered, and low down, and parallel to the ground.