26/2/2018 - In the dark the reflective tapes are merging
The ideal cycling
season does not last for a whole year. In autumn, the days are shorter, cools
and rains. Snow falls in the winter. However, the Nordic proverb says: There is
no bad weather, only bad clothing ("and equipment" is provided by
year-round cyclists from cities like Copenhagen, where 17% of journeys take
place in winter).
The absolute basis
is to have a wheel equipped with appropriate reflectors (white on the front,
red at the back, orange on the string and yellow on the pedals). You can
replace the reflectors in the strings with the reflective stripe on the
casing, reflectors at the front and at the back with reflective stickers.
In town, you do
not usually need a headlight because the streets are illuminated. However, the
blinkers are necessary. The front flasher is more important than the rear, for
the driver's rear is usually shining "in the mirror" and therefore reveals
you even when you are light passive in the back. In front of you, cars come
"from the side" and the best reflectors will not help you. Almost the
same job as the rear blinker makes the reflex tape on the left calf.
In urban traffic,
I can shine or flicker in the dark. Cars were previously required to shine
"in low visibility," which is exactly the condition that you should
also shine on. In utter darkness, you are visibly visible with reflectors, but
in the dark the reflective tapes are merging and you have to shine actively.
Lighting sets with a sensor can be started automatically.
If you do not use
the blinkers for a long time, check the condition of the batteries. Even the
almost empty battery makes the first few minutes a fresh look, so try to let
them light for a few minutes. If they are extinguished, it is time to replace
them if possible with batteries. Who drives his light with a dynamo, he should
check the state of the electrical distribution. Dynamic-powered lights or
inductive induction are the most suitable for the city. For example, you will
not be bothered by the question of "wasting the torches" at dusk,
when it is paradoxically needed to shine rather than in the dark.
The era of the
headlamps is already behind us (unless you have an insertion on the night MTB
route). Using the headlamp in the city (particularly powerful and in pedestrian
zones) is a pretty ruthlessness. If you are looking for a strong light, put it
on the bike firmly.
Reflective vest, flashing reflective ribbons and other
massive light equipment over and above normal lighting will ensure you will be
seen not only by overtaking drivers but also by pilots of aircraft landing at Ursine
Airport. Consider whether it is worthwhile to shift this limit to how much
light the drivers consider normal. The vest and the more powerful lights fit on
high-speed roads, long-distance stretches. On the other hand,
"raising" the driver with a dazzling lamp and a black coat is not a
good idea. For a regular ride in the dark, it is worthwhile to have a deposit
in addition to the "main" lighting. To the battery at least a spare
battery, to the dynamically driven lights an emergency small flicker in the
event of a malfunction.
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