Put a LIGHT on your bike!

This morning about 6:15 driving northbound on Claiborne, I almost hit a bicyclist. I think I was about 15 feet behind her when I realized she was there, flipped on my high-beams and slammed on my brakes. It was very dark out and she had no lights on her bicycle. Her red rear reflector was angled downward, and I didn't see anything reflective anywhere else on her.

PLEASE, if you're going to ride your bike before sunrise, put a LIGHT on your bike and wear reflective stuff. Plus, there are a ton of really nice trails all over Ashburn, why not ride your bike on the trail instead of in the street?

 

And when you ride on the really nice trails, make sure you have a bell to warn people walking on the trails that you are approaching.
I have also lost count of the number of times there have been kids riding bikes way too fast on the trails.
Especially around turns.
(I'm not looking forward to seeing them drive when they get older)

 

Same thing happened to me around 5:30 yesterday morning on Broadlands Boulevard. No lights, all black, no reflectors.

I recently bought two sets of front and rear lights for my kids' bikes - ran less than $30 a set at Bicycle Outfitters for nice LED lights that can either flash or hold a steady beam. It's not enough to act as a headlight to see but more than enough to be SEEN.

 

Maybe you should consider wearing glasses. Or only drive during daylight hours. I do not feel safe knowing you are on the road.

 

Consider: I was driving 45 mph (as compared to 30 mph in the video), and the bicyclist had NOTHING reflective on.

I'm glad it scares you that I'm on the road. I hope it convicts you and compels you to put a light on your bike and wear something reflective if you're out on the roads when it's dark.

 

I'm confused by all of this. As a bicyclist, I never ride at night without lights; I want to see where I'm going as well as where I've been. In addition, it's against the law.

From http://www.virginiadot.org/programs/bk-laws.asp :
Equipment
Every bicycle ridden between sunset and sunrise must have at least one white headlamp with the light being visible at least 500 feet to the front. The bicycle must have a red reflector on the rear visible at least 600 feet to the rear. On roads posted with speed limit of 35 mph or greater, the bicyclist must additionally be equipped with at least one red taillight visible from 500 feet to the rear. Taillights may be steady or blinking, are allowed under all conditions, and may be attached to the cycle or rider.

Bicycles ridden on highways must have brakes which will skid the wheels on dry, level, clean pavement.

Reference: §§46.2-1015,46.2-1066 ^TOPICS

 

It compels me to be thankful that I am not a deer stuck in your headlights! I think you have impaired vision and should not be on the road until to seek the services of a qualified medical professional (start with an eye doctor). This thread will be used against you in court if you end up killing someone due to your negligence. Please do not drive at night!

 

There was a cyclist on the road on Claiborne Pkwy by Village drive tonight- they appeared to have been struck by a car. There were people there and I called 911. Cyclist was gone when I passed back by an hour later but cops were still there. I am almost afraid to ask and I hope they are okay...but does anyone know anything about this? I saw this around 7:10.

 

I saw some crazy young person wearing DARK clothes walking on the road in the same direction as I was going and it was HARD to see him when he was wearing all DARK colored clothes and not even have a reflective piece of material on him. When I realized someone was walking on the road (There wasn't any sidewalks so that must be why he was walking on the road)...I immediately went around him but my thoughts were that someone else may NOT be able to see him in time and hit him. Some people are idiots for walking IN the road while wearing DARK clothes that makes it HARD for drivers to see them especially when they are driving 35-40 mph on Ashburn Village Blvd.

 

a runner/cyclist sans some sort of reflective gear or light) vs. an oncoming car with a blinding HID ? Worth it? not....

 

This morning, backing out of my driveway at 5:25, I narrowly avoided a man walking in the road dressed all in black, including a black balaclava. No reflective material on him whatsoever. If it hadn't been for the white under armor logo on his black stocking cap, I wouldn't have seen him at all. Please - wear reflective clothing or blinking LEDS or something if you're going to be out before dawn. My street does not have streetlights and in this case, my taillights just don't give off a lot of light to see behind you - their purpose is to let other people behind you know you are there. Honestly, I don't know that he would have shown up much in the headlights either.

 

Wear highly reflective gear. You can buy a vest for almost nothing.

http://www.fullsource.com/full-source-useom2r/?size=140&gclid=ciralm3q1rscfq7xogodndea7a <- $3.99