After the autumn clock changeover, the afternoon light conditions decrease significantly, quickly turning dark in November. Most people leave home after 4 pm, giving cyclists an increased risk of dusk. Our series of articles highlight safe cycling.
The first thing we wanted was to find out how motorists see a rider who doesn’t wear a reflective vest, has no lights, rolls without a prism, or meets the visibility requirement.
Ágoston Keöd from Gyorszemere, who successfully traveled to the Croatian coast from our county in 24 hours last year and this year, was of help in our test. With the Tatanka Racing Team, we took shots at Bem Square in Győr, closed due to the construction of the car park, with normal public lighting between 6 pm and 7 pm.
A bad example of a mom
As we talked to Ágoston about the rules of the highway, it was frustrating to see cyclists in the dark. Fourteen of us walked past us in a quarter of an hour so that only two riders had their lights lit, but they weren’t wearing reflective vests with reflective materials either. The low point was the unlit, young mother who let her 3-4-year-old kid roll after her.
“If the cyclist is in a well-visible vest, with a suitable light in the dark, the speed limit driver will notice 150-200 meters in front of him. A good lamp is essential for a cyclist because he can’t see the road defects without him. A helmet is a basic requirement, can save lives in the event of a crash. Said Augustine Keöd.
The piano can make the difference
In the first lap, Augustine played the “bad boy” and glided in the dark shadow of Bem Square. The next round was joined by Gábor Tupi, a colleague from the Lowlands who was the brainchild of the campaign, who was wearing a vest and a switched-on lamp while Augustine was still “hiding” in the dark. We also took a picture of two bicyclists illuminating a LED bulb similar to a car lamp. The difference between heaven and earth was noticeable.
What does “Highway Traffic” ask for?
A front lamp, white or cadmium yellow, which produces a continuous or flashing light in the dark, is visible at least 150 meters in clear weather. The tail lamp must meet the same requirements in red. Both lamps are also allowed on the clothing. You need a red reflective back prism that cannot be triangular. At least two amber double-sided spokes on the front wheel or a reflective tape on both sides of the rubber or two white reflective tubes on the spokes are essential. Reflective clothing is a must in limited visibility outside populated areas.