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From: niland@hpfcms.HP.COM ( Bob Niland )
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Daytime high vs low beam
Message-ID: <730004@hpfcms.HP.COM>
Date: Fri, 3-Oct-86 20:44:15 EDT
Article-I.D.: hpfcms.730004
Posted: Fri Oct  3 20:44:15 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 8-Oct-86 21:53:03 EDT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard
Lines: 61

re: Motorcyles running high beams during the day

I used to ride but gave it up because I concluded that it was too dangerous;
more specifically, there are too many hazards that are not under the control
of the rider:  oil patches, sand patches, dropped mufflers and automobile
drivers suffering from "fouropia" (the inability to see other vehicles
having less than four wheels).

After nearly being hit head-on one day by a left-turning fouropian driver, I
began running with my bike headlights on all the time (this is in the early
70s).  This practice dramatically reduced near misses with the 4-wheel bike
bashers.  Nonetheless, I soon gave up biking (I couldn't afford both a bike
and a car then, and Maine gets cold in the winter).

Bikes running headlights during the day is "a good idea".  Many of you
follow this policy, and I encourage it.

Unfortunately, a large number of bikers (seems like 30% sometimes)
apparently think that "golly gee, if having headlights on during the day is
safe, then using HIGH BEAMS must be even safer!".

I disagree.  Night or day, I find an oncoming bike with high beams to be
very uncomfortable, if not painful, to watch.  Low beams is ok ("yes, I see
you").  High beams drives me to avert my gaze to prevent irritiation ("I
hope you see me, because I refuse to watch you").  My reaction to an
oncoming highbeamer is "gosh, that's an inconsiderate way to ride*".

So rather than increased safety, we have decreased safety.  I do not see the
highbeamer signalling to turn left.  I may not see the highbeamer drifting
towards me.  If I have the rising/setting sun behind me, neither of us
may see the other.

Now I'm sure you personally don't do this, but please tell your riding
friends to be aware this issue.

Is it possible that riders aren't running high beams deliberately?  Would
it help if I switched my lights on and flashed?

Or, is there some incredibly obvious reason why bike run high beams during
the day?  Could someone explain it to me?

Regards,                                              Hewlett-Packard
Bob Niland                                            3404 East Harmony Road
[ihnp4|hplabs]!hpfcla!rjn                             Fort Collins CO  80525
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* Actually I start fantasizing about filament-seeking missiles and 300
  megawatt focused flashtube arrays...  but then,  I'm just a nice
  peaceful guy.  The redneck in the pickup truck in front of me, however,
  is probably getting really pissed, and contemplating running the bike
  off the road.