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Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site laidbak.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!floyd!clyde!ihnp4!laidbak!tsmith
From: tsmith@laidbak.UUCP (Tim Smith)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: LIGHTS
Message-ID: <174@laidbak.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 13-Oct-83 00:20:43 EDT
Article-I.D.: laidbak.174
Posted: Thu Oct 13 00:20:43 1983
Date-Received: Sat, 8-Oct-83 02:55:36 EDT
Organization: LAI, Westmont, IL
Lines: 33

OK, the nights are getting longer, and it's time
to say this--IF YOU RIDE A BIKE AT NIGHT, USE A
GOOD HEADLIGHT AND TAILLIGHT! No whimpering please,
just use a light. Of course it adds weight to your
bike, but just think of all the excercise you're
getting lugging that extra 1.5 lbs around.

Many cyclists say "Why should I use a light--cars are
the main danger, and as long as I have a rear reflector
they'll see me.". I could write a treatise on this--cars
are NOT the main danger. It's other dim-witted and dim-
lit cyclists and pedestrians that are your major enemies,
believe me! Use a light so that you can see and be seen
by these people.

Enough preaching. What about good lights? I ride long
distances at night, but don't commute every day, so I
get by with a 6V halogen (Union) headlight and a Union
taillight powered by 4 D cells. If I commuted, this
would be too expensive, so I would probably switch to
a Sanyo or Soubitez 6V bottom bracket type generator.
In heavy traffic, I would prefer a battery back up for
an all-generator system, though. The Berec head and tail
lights are good also, the tailight being particularly
bright.

Whatever you get, use it. Other cyclists will thank
you very much.

Tim Smith (...!laidbak!tsmith)