Bicycle Safety: Public Service Announcement
There are people who think that putting lights on your bike is “uncool.” They may be uncool but they are incredibly necessary. It’s not just so that cars can see you, but also pedestrians and other cyclists. My eyesight is not going (yet) but sometimes I have a really hard time seeing other cyclists who wear all black and go lightless. I’m afraid that one of these days someone is going to pop out of an alley and blow a stop sign and I won’t see them until we are both piled on top of our bikes in the middle of an intersection.
Please, I implore you, just put a little light on your bike, not just because it’s the law but because other bike lovers need to see you!
And when it’s dark, raining, or you cannot spot more than 20-30 yards down a corner you’re approaching, you should approach with proper caution. If you think you’re cool b/c you ride unaware, You’re the Man. Fast doesn’t always mean stupid.
I was in an accident when some lightless guy blew a stop sign and plowed into my front wheel. He broke his collarbone while rolling in front of several cars, who fortunately noticed him pummeling towards them. Lights are rad.
So I cross over to the Richmond from Sunset through the park at the 40sthing route.. and all too often there are bicyclist who don’t head the stop sign. I wish more cops would give bicyclist stop sign running tickets like they do in Davis.