The commute from hell: pure paradise (Comments: 10)

10 comments to “The commute from hell: pure paradise”

jodycb, January 9th, 2009 at 7:22 pm:

• I think they blast you with the high beams because they have anxiety attacks in the presence of a cyclist. They’re not going to slow down or anything but the extra light makes them think they’re being extra safe. I don’t think it even occurs to them that it’s interfering with your ability to see… maybe because they have a difficult time anthropomorphizing something as foreign and strange as a cyclist. :)

Adam, January 9th, 2009 at 7:30 pm:

• I’ve been blasted by highbeams a lot more often these days, maybe because I’ve been riding more in the suburbs lately and that seems to be where motorists are more overly cautious to a fault, and more anxious to use their highbeams.

  It’s so ridiculous, of course. I bet some of them get annoyed by flashing headlights. I hear from people who have to take manditory driver re-education that a lot of highbeam users are trying to compensate for intoxication. It would be so nice to be able to actually talk to these folks and find out what’s going on.

  When they’re behind me, I generally stick out my left arm, palm open and facing the driver, and swat at them. If they’re going very slowly (usually because they’re freaking out that something’s on the road at night that’s not a car), I’ll even take the lane in front of them while gesturing, hoping they get my point (they usually just end up passing in the other lane).

  When they’re coming towards me, and I have trouble seeing, I’ve stopped my bike to put my arms out, in front of my face, all dramatically like their high beams are burning my face off.

  So I try to communicate as best I can, but of course, personal safety always trumps hand gestures.

ethan, January 10th, 2009 at 5:33 pm:

• This sounds really, really dangerous to a cyclist. Drivers dim their lights (or are supposed to) for other drivers. What idiocy would compel them to turn them on for bikes?

Adam, January 11th, 2009 at 1:42 am:

• Rode in a snowstorm tonight – got highbeam blasted twice, and also had one aggressive driver. I think I’m going to work on a post about how to diffuse the increased tensions during stormy winter rides.

EML, January 11th, 2009 at 9:18 am:

• You get the high beams because you are anomalous. I’ve done it myself with runners and bikes. Turn on the high beams to see what’s out there. By the time I process that what’s out there doesn’t want the high beams it’s too late.

Richard DeSarra, January 12th, 2009 at 11:44 am:

• Motor vehicles are much easier to spot coming toward you at night while cyclists (walkers, runners)are much harder to see clearly.

  Headlights mainly flood light to the right so putting on the high beams aid in flood lighting on the left side of the road.

  It is more difficult for many drivers, especially older ones like me, to see clearly in the nighttime so there seems to be a greater use of high beams.

  The use of high beams happens to walkers and runners,even those going against traffic at night.

  That has been my experience since the 1970s when I began cycling and running in the night.

Keith, January 14th, 2009 at 10:28 pm:

• A helmet with a visor can help to shield the high beams. Just angle your head down when the cars are coming. Visors are also good for the rain and snow.

Jack, January 17th, 2009 at 8:08 pm:

• I have a head mounted light, and I usually try to bling the shit out of them until they turn down their lights.

Jack, January 17th, 2009 at 8:09 pm:

• blind, not bling

karen f, February 28th, 2009 at 10:58 pm:

• Ya know, I can’t count the number of times I have asked myself that question. Its quite debilitating, especially when eyes have become accustomed to nighttime vision. I’m inclined to agree with mostly all these posts, including the ones about having blocked eyes from the headlights, and shining a light at the driver. I have a feeling this is a ridiculously common situation.

  These are my thoughts about WHY. Driving gets repetitive and automatic, which can be a great thing if you are into multi-tasking. Who isn’t thinking of a LEAST one other thing while driving? Oop! A person on a bicycle! “Bzzzsschhh,” <> “Shink-k” <> I think it happens for at least 3 reasons. 1] The shock that this driver isn’t the only [noun] which/who is intending to occupy the vicinity and his/her attention. 2] Having been made aware there is ‘stuff’ out there which many be appearing “out of no where.” 3] Out of frustration/ defiance for being forced to return attention to the road. 4] Having realized a driver has a responsibility, [and not realizing that responsibility is to become a cyclist him/herself,] driver feels obligated to ‘do something’ (brights) so they feel they have risen to meet what is expected of them as a driver. 5] and 6] might be something like: you never know how spastic a cyclist or pedestrian might be [like impaling self on hood ornament] so …must… keep… in… sights.. every.. second. And, the same dang thing which causes rubber neck delay – unbearable CURIOSITY and no self-control! Also don’t make the mistake of assuming every person you see on the road is intelligent, right?

  I freakin’ rule. ~ k