The little "turtle" style LED lights are certainly better that
nothing, and can cost as little as $3. MEC here in Canada sells
them, but I don't know of their availability elsewhere.
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000707.php
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C% 3Efolder_id=2534374302692895&PRODUCT%3C% 3Eprd_id=845524442588127&bmUID=1200333599410
Mark
On 14-Jan-08, at 8:31 AM, 1304bikes wrote:
Christopher, While the points you raise are valid and very good
advice, I'm afraid it doesn' help our shop out very much. We deal
with a lot of homeless and working class poeple who can not or
would rather not spend $30 on a bike light. Likewise, our
organization doesn't have the funds to provide every EAB paticipant
with a full set of lights, even though we want to.That being said, I'm still open to hearing what other shops have
come up with for inexpensive solutions to the light issue. I still
feel that any light is better than no light.-Doug 1304bikes, Raleigh
There is a physical problem with lights that are not powerful. As
we humans get older our cornea become harder and do not open and
close as quickly as in our youth. This leaves us blind to all but
the brightest lights after we are hit in the face by car headlamps.
I witnessed a cyclist disappear when he was backlit by car
headlamps. He had a few $15 to $20 front flashers, a reflective
vest, and reflective tape on the bike. Once he was back lit by a
car all those inexpensive low wattage lamps were worthless to his
safetyIf you do not invest in a bright light you will disappear when
back lit and in other situations. The lesson I learned is simple if
you are to be traffic at night time you need to act like traffic.
If you can get the Cat Eye 520 at cost, it is about $30 and well
worth it. 1200 candle power is close to the brightness of a car
head lamp, 300 hour burn time with 4 AA batteries. When in traffic,
act like traffic. If they are well lit, you should be equally lit
to be seen. A flash light is not enough.I am not saying do not have fun with cheap lights too. I look like
an alien space craft with all the cheap lights around my bike. I
also have a serious head and tail light. I do make a spectacle of
myself out on the road at night. Have fun and think about safety.Christopher Wallace