Learning from the Dogs

Our Dog's Blinky Collar Light. A GODSEND to Keep an Eye on a Black Dog Running Around in the Dark

Late last year, we discovered a blinky light that was designed to attach to a dog collar. Since we often play "fetch" with our black Labrador Retriever at night, it was a godsend. While a black dog in the dark is hard to see, a black dog in the dark with a blinking light can't hide from anybody.

The light broke this spring when the battery wore out. I wound up buying 2 new batteries for it, which cost $5 after I used a $5 coupon. Not long after, it fell off our dog's collar, so we got a new one." A few weeks ago, I saw batteries at "Tractor Supply Company" that would fit the light for $5.99. THIS price was for 50 of the batteries. I'd never imagined that new batteries could be had for less than 20 cents each. Live and learn.

Light Display at a "Big Box" Hardware Store

Even MORE recently, I saw that the outfit, "Nite Ize" makes a wider variety of lights. These include ones designed to fit around one's wrist, along with several that work on bikes in various ways. I didn't get one because I saw a "disposable" somewhere in the display, but now I notice that these lights use batteries inexpensively available from Tractor Supply.

Note to self, I must pick up one of these. In "blinky" mode, on the left wrist, it would make an excellent left turn signaller supplement for upcoming dark mornings. I don't think I'd bother getting one for my right wrist since it is rare to need a lighted right turn signal when on a bike. This is a FAR better solution than the more expensive light I considered here. I'll also note that ONE of these covers all you might want to do with hand signals when in the dark, as noted here, unless you feel compelled to stick with the "alternate right turn." Lately, I've seen a bunch of posts suggesting you ought to always point out the direction you want to go - like pointing with your right arm when you want to turn right. I, however, do not recommend you buy a second one of these just to satisfy those posts. Either point with your right arm when in the dark or give the "official" right turn signal. Either way, get a BUNCH of replacement batteries from TSC rather than paying the same price for one at your typical checkout counter.

Signs of Spring

Light WAS Turning on Just Before 7AM Until DST Appeared

Different places have different clues. In Ocean Shores, a sign is when the residential light-activated lights turn off in the morning. That time gets earlier until DST shows up, after which it isn't a challenge to get past before the light turns off.

Another sign is the reappearance of tourist bikes.

Full Lane Change (and a bit more) to Pass This Bicycle. What Does the "Extreme Right" OS Muni Code Mean Here?

The final and definitive sign is the restart of Ace Hardware Store bringing out of LAWNMOWERS in the morning. Who says Spring is an unmitigated blessing?



Lawnmowers Reappear at Ace

 

Lighting Serendipity



I'm Not the ONLY One Who Wanted a Better Light Lens. Anyone Vote for This as Such?

In my post, here, I bemoaned the battery case on my Mighty P7 headlight getting old and tired. A number of good suggestions were received, but the solution turned out serendipitously thanks to a completely unrelated suggestion.

One problem with these headlights is that the beam focus is not as clearly defined as I might like. In an attempt to “fix” things, there is now an aftermarket lens manufactured for these lights. I’m not sure that this lens is for me since it looks like it makes the beam wider, but doesn’t do much for the vertical focus. I’d really be interested to hear if my loyal reader has tried this new lens or has seen one in person.

 

New, and Truly IMPROVED Case for the P7 Battery - Now in the Steve A Light Group

But I digress. While looking for this lens, I ran across REPLACEMENT BATTERY CASES. For $5 and better features, it hardly seemed worth a “do it myself solution.” And yes, the new case works far better than the original ever did.



The Old, Original P7 Battery Case. Now in Retirement

 

Summer Signs Seen

Season's Greetings, Even Backwards, Seems Different in June Than in December
Sprinklers Somehow Make Things Seem a Bit Cooler

It’s summer now in North Texas. There’s no mistaking it. Chandra claims it is a “hundred billion degrees” out. Personally, I think he’s exaggerating due to having hung out with native Texans for too long. If he keeps this up, we may have to start calling him "Tex Chandra." Still, I’ve been looking around for reminders of cooler times lately. Lighted signs are one such reminder. For some reason, signs made of little lights seem “cool” to me.

Due to ongoing construction on the Airport Freeway; intended to make things nicer for the local motorists, I’ve been taking an alternate route to work. Seen along the route is a lighted sign that is stored that reminds us that cooler seasons exist even in North Texas. The sign says, “Seasons Greetings!” Seen at the end of June, it conveys a slightly different message than in December. Sprinklers actually reinforce the cool message.

Also seen on this route is a lighted sign that reminds us we are in a region where patriotic and religious sentiments are displayed more often than in some other areas.

Say it in Lights!

Complete Darkness



We're Moving from the Sunlight

 I noted in a previous post that I’m leaving home a bit earlier on my commute than I did last year. It’s why I acquired a cheering section, reported here in the same post. Yesterday, and this morning, I left even earlier than usual because I thought it might take me longer than usual due to the layoff, or due to a need to stop and avoid distracted riding. As a result, my commute was in darkness from the beginning until I made the final turn in to work both days. I turned my “be seen” headlight off as I entered the driveway shortly before dawn.

And Headed Into

Somehow, riding in the dark seems friendlier this year than it did last year. In three more weekends, Daylight Savings Time will end and the mornings will be brighter again - for a while. Some of our non-US cycling friends are fortunate. They get rid of “Summer Time” a couple of weeks earlier and get that extra sun in the morning. Others, infected by a "we can be just like the Americans" spirit (not mentioning any large Provinces in the north by name), get stuck with the extra cycle commute darkness just like us. Actually, they've got it even worse than us here in Texas because of their proximity to the North Pole.

COMPLETE DARKNESS!

People Versus Bates

Slow Moving Motor Vehicle in Downtown Waxahachie

• Ellis County at Law 2, Waxahachie, Texas
• Judge A. Gene Calvert, Jr
• Cases 10010052 and 10010829 (I'm not absoluetely positive I got this second number correct)
• Kristin Barnes, Prosecuting Attorney
• Bob Jones, Defense Attorney
• Representing an allegation of Reckless Driving on January 13, against Reed Bates by Ellis County

STEVE NOTE OVERALL: Looking at these notes, I clearly made more notes about the prosecution claims and assertions than I did about the defense. Overall, I did not observe the defense saying things that seemed peculiar, which probably reflects my bias to some extent – I have actually ridden with the defendant and I’ve read much that he has written. This bias is probably exacerbated by Mr Jones being a fairly soft spoken gentleman, while the prosecutor took a livelier style. I have no reason to believe that the difference in approaches affected the verdict, and the issues at hand were much different than in the previous Ennis City case. Keep this note in mind while reading the following.

Abbey A Optimistic Before Trial

Preliminaries
Proceedings began with a discussion about defense appeal of an Ennis City case, summarized here. That case was held on February 16 in Ennis Municipal Court. The prosecutor claimed that the appeal was filed too late (March 1). The defense claimed the appeal was timely. The judge abated the appeal discussion to allow an inquiry as to whether a written judgment referred to in the records, but not included, exists from the Ennis Municipal Court. The prosecutor requested to use Ennis judgment against the defendant in the case at hand. As will be seen, I think that request became irrelevant.

Defendant Reed, and Crystal, Before Trial

 Reckless Driving Alleged

In opening statements, the prosecutor indicated that on January 13, the defendant rode in the lane on Texas Highway 287 rather than on the improved shoulder and his actions deliberately, with conscious indifference, endangered people, thus rising to the level of reckless driving despite the defendant being on a bicycle.

 Three witnesses were called for the trial itself by the prosecutor. They were one of the 911 dispatchers, a firefighter who made one of the 911 calls, and the arresting Deputy Sheriff. Two added witnesses were sworn but did not testify during the trial itself. One testified briefly after the judgment.

First Witness
The first witness to testify was the 911 dispatcher, Nancy, who works in the Communication Division of the Sheriff’s Office. She indicated that 25 911 calls were made and that she took 15 of them. A CD was requested to be introduced as evidence. The defense objected to this as hearsay, but the CD was admitted as a basis for the initial stop.

The CD was quite long. After a few calls, callers were informed that an officer was on the way. Some were also informed that dispatch was familiar with the cyclist and he rode this route twice a week to and from the unemployment office.

CLARIFICATION UPDATE ON 911 CALLS
While the 911 calls on the CD were only admitted as to their relevance as the basis for sending an officer to contact Bates, I can't say what other importance the judge might have placed on them once they were heard. One thing I found interesting is that in at least a half dozen or so cases, callers were careful to note that it was NOT an emergency. The defense later emphasized this, as you might have expected them to. In several more cases, the caller didn't have a chance to actually complain about the cyclist. Upon hearing they were calling from Highway 287 between Waxahachie and Ennis, the dispatcher cut off the call with "The bicyclist? We have an officer on the way." After that, the caller would simply say thank you and hang up. The second witness was one of the callers. As I recall (I can't be certain so don't take it as Gospel), he was one of the ones that indicated it was not an emergency, but he also indicated it would become one. Perhaps that is why the Prosecutor did the "DRT" thing as noted in the paragraph below.

Second Witness
The second witness to testify was the firefighter, Lonnie, who has been a firefighter for 23 years in Ennis. Queried about the conditions, he stated it was “not night and not raining.” Traffic was characterized as normal (medium). In his testimony, he indicated that he saw tail lights coming on “quick” and that he was frightened that a collision would occur shortly. He stated that an 18 wheeler ran up on the cyclist and apparently didn’t see him. During questioning, he indicated he was a cyclist and rode in rallies, and he estimated the defendant’s speed as 15-20mph. He stated the cyclist was in the outside lane in the middle. He was asked about the slang term “DRT” and he responded that it stood for “Dead Right There.” There was no further pursuit of this item. He also indicated he knew who the cyclist was, though it was never clarified if he knew the cyclist from before the incident, afterwards, or during.

STEVE NOTE: I have no idea what prompted the “DRT” question from the prosecutor, other than I’d not heard it before and found it interesting. Perhaps she thought better of another line of questioning.

Upon cross examination, Mr Jones asked Lonnie if he drove to the rallies and Lonnie indicated he did. In response to questions, he indicated he rides the shoulder because it is safer and the event organizers request them to. He stated he has never ridden on Highway 287.

Third Witness
The third witness to testify was the arresting deputy, Emiliano. Emiliano patrols and answers calls for service and is a certified peace officer for the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department. He was dispatched to make contact with the defendant on Highway 287 “in the middle of the road.” He made contact about 5PM (1720 in his report). At the time, Deputy Emiliano was northbound. He sighted the defendant (southbound) on the southbound shoulder where an Ennis Police Officer had completed a contact. The deputy completed a U turn and went to speak with the defendant so the 911 call could be closed out. He indicated the defendant stated he had a right to be there and cited Texas law. He also said the defendant stated that if he’d been driving a horse-drawn buggy, he had a right to be there. In response to prosecution questions, he stated that "impeding" meant “going slower than the other traffic. He indicated that traffic was heavy.

STEVE NOTE: Watching the video, I would not characterize the traffic as particularly light or heavy. There were “clumps” of motor vehicles that included three or four vehicles, and gaps of ten seconds or more between “clumps.” Testimony matches fairly closely with Reed's account of the event, here, here, and here. You can probably find more accounts in his blog as well, but those should get you the basic idea.

The deputy stated he told the defendant to stay on the shoulder and not to get back on the roadway or he’d be arrested. The prosecutor asked additional questions about the rights and duties of cyclists and the deputy affirmed that cyclists have the same rights and duties as motor traffic. He further stated that if the cyclist had been against the white line, it wouldn’t have been a problem. After this questioning, a video was shown. The video consisted of two distinct portions. In the initial portion, there was no video other than that which could be heard from inside the Deputy’s cruiser. It shows the deputy conversing with the defendant. Notable items detectable from the sparse audio were “impeding,” “riding on the road,” and “knows the law.” At the conclusion of this first portion, which appeared to be immediately after the warning (no citation had been given at this point), the Deputy went back to his cruiser and, as he opened the door, the defendant merged back onto the roadway and proceeded on it. The second portion consisted of the Deputy putting his lights back on, and then arresting the defendant. The video went on for a long time on this second portion, but there was little in the audio beyond an indication that the defendant was cooperative, which the deputy had stated, and an assertion, by the defendant at the beginning that the deputy was endangering the defendant by telling him to ride on the shoulder.

In cross examination, the defense attorney made the point that Bates was attempting to explain the law and safe riding practice. He also elicited a clarification that “middle of the roadway” actually meant “middle of the right lane.”

Prosecution Rests
At the conclusion of the Deputy’s testimony and cross examination, the defense made a motion for a directed verdict on the grounds that the prosecution had not presented any evidence that the defendant was “willfully or wantonly” endangering anybody. The motion was denied. The prosecution rested.

L-R, Defense Attorney Jones, Waco, and PM

Defense Presents
The defense called Reed Bates as its witness. He is currently employed in Dallas, but at the time in question, he was unemployed and had to go to the unemployment office over about a four month period. He stated that he rode his bike everywhere, including Waxahachie, because he had no motor vehicle and no means of obtaining rides.

During questioning, he described Highway 287 as a 4 lane, 2 way highway with a median. He also went into added detail about his attempts to explain why he was operating within the Texas Vehicle Code. Specifically, he stated he was operating in accord with The Texas Transportation Code 551.103, exceptions 4a and 4b, and these were read to the court. He further stated in response to questions that he’d ridden Highway 287 at least 20 times with no incidents and considered the road perfectly safe. He also discussed alternate routes during questioning, and stated that neither alternate was practical or safe.

Prosecution Questions
The prosecutor questioned the defendant about the Texas Statute involving shoulders, particularly the portion that allows a cyclist to ride on the shoulder. In some rather argumentative questioning (most of which was successfully objected to), the prosecution claimed that the law gives the cyclist a choice, and he chose the dangerous choice, the middle of the lane. The words “common sense” were used quite a bit in this line of questioning. She also tried to elicit a concession that bike is less visible in the dark, which the defendant did not agree with, including a brief description of his Planet Bike Superflash.

STEVE NOTE: In the Deputy’s video, it is light when the initial contact was made, but was getting dark by the time the second portion was done. The stop was in January and my recollection is that things are pretty dark in North Texas by about 5:45 or so. I like the Superflash as well, though I have not customized my own, other than bending the contact a bit so it is more reliable than it used to be.

Everyone Rests & Closes

Bike Rack at Ellis County Court, but No Cyclists This Day!

Closing Statements
The prosecutor stated that a bike is a vehicle and the cyclist is subject to all of the rights and duties of any vehicle operator. She further emphasized that the cyclist had a choice to make whether to ride the shoulder or the traffic lane. Her contention was that he deliberately chose the dangerous option in view of the “heavy traffic” and “near collisions” when he had another legal option available that common sense indicated would be safer, and certainly would be safer to the other road users the defendant was endangering willfully.

The defense attorney stated “the law is the law” and the defendant was riding in full accord with two exceptions to the “far to right” rule. What’s more, he was riding in a manner that was safe, on a road he rode many times before, and that he had reason to believe that riding on the shoulder was more dangerous. What was more, the prosecution presented no evidence he was doing anything dangerous at all other than assertions by witnesses.

In prosecution rebuttal, the prosecutor stated that the cyclist did not follow the duties expected.

Before passing judgment, the judge asked about the definition of the edge of the roadway. Neither attorney could state for sure. The defense attorney offered to provide case law the next morning. He opined that he “thought” it probably treated the shoulder and roadway as separate and distinct entities (my words) and the judge indicated he (the defense attorney) was probably right.

Verdict
The judge began by noting that it was fine for a cyclist to ride on the roadway, but it must be in a safe manner. He indicated that Reed may well have actually BEEN safer riding in the lane on Highway 287. He then cited the high level of concern on the day in question and the defendant’s disregard of the officer’s request. He further noted that road safety included not only the defendant, but the other road users who might be unfamiliar with cyclists riding on a road such as the one in question. As a result, he was presenting a hazard and was guilty.

Disposition
The prosecutor called Ennis Officer Lance Watson to testify in support of a request for a stiff sentence. She attempted to show a video that showed a traffic stop by Officer Watson the day after the event just tried. Defense objected, the objection was sustained, and the Watson video was not shown.

The judge noted that traffic statutes needed to be considered as a body, including the minimum speed statute. He went on to note that the defendant’s actions were, in many ways, admirable and lawful. However, he drew an analogy from baseball. It is good for people to swing a bat and play the game. However, this good action can become dangerous as added people crowd into a space and swinging the bat can become a danger. Good judgment is required, since conditions vary.

After this, there was some discussion about how many days the defendant spent in jail. Records showed him there for 18 days. The sentence was as follows:

• 13 days in jail and $100 fine, with credit for time served.
• 5 days of jail time served credited against court costs (estimated at $512.10)
• The judge also offered to arrange a payment plan or community service if the defendant wished.

Postscript
Mr Jones and the other observers I knew expressed the sentiment that the judge was about the best that could have been obtained to hear the case. Reed indicated he wanted to appeal. Mr Jones also stated that he felt the decision was a close one and that was one reason the penalties were mild, and the judge did not press the defendant to accept the deal.

STEVE NOTE: I'm inclined to agree with Mr Jones regarding the judge and the judgment. It was definitely not your usual "racing, embracing, or 20 mph over the speed limit" reckless driving charge you learn about in Driver's Ed. On the way home, I observed a white pickup run off the right side of the traffic lane, across the rumble strip, and partway onto the shoulder of Highway 287, before recovering and moving back into the right hand lane.

This Truck Ran Off Onto the Shoulder Before Recovering as We Drove Home.
You'll Note It is Now Hugging the Lane Left Side. We Passed it with EXTRA Care

Applicable Texas Statute Links
Texas Reckless Driving
Texas Bicycle Operation on Road
Texas Operation on Shoulder

Seasonal Commute Adaptation

Front End of the Roadbike in Summer Commuter Trim

No "See" Light is Needed this Time of Year

Minimal Equipment in the Rear as Well

Seat Bag Keeps the iPhone and a Sandwich

Fall, Winter, and Spring, I ride my Specialized Tricross to work. Buddy is almost ideal for my 20 mile North Texas commute, because it combines speed, carrying capability, stopping power, and rugged comfort for the long commute. Still, this is the time of year that I make a seasonal adaptation and bring the road bike into duty, because the days are long and the mornings warm.

Most of the year, the road bike is not well adapted for bike commuting. There’s nowhere to carry stuff, like a cycling jacket that isn’t needed in the afternoon after it has warmed up, not to mention sweatpants and mittens. Skinny, 23c slick road bike tires do not play well with potholes and rough pavement that evade headlights (but not wheels) in the dark.

By May, when the morning temperatures climb into the 60’s and 70’s, the cycling jacket becomes extraneous and “the layered” look reduces down to “the less the better – within reason.” Some bike blogs advocate commuting in work clothes, but I do a 20 mile commute in 100+ North Texas heat. Office clothing is simply not meant for such things. What’s more, Buddy is ready for its 5K overhaul, so it is time to take a minimalist approach until the “Hotter ‘n Hell 100” shortly before Labor Day.

With a cell phone, I COULD just forgo spare tubes and pumps and such for the road bike and simply call for help if something goes wrong, but I have discovered the flat fairy is most likely to appear when I am furthest from convenient help of any sort. On my road bike, I carry a spare tube, a patch kit, two pumps, and tire irons, using one of the water bottle mounts. In the seat bag, I carry my lunch and my cell phone. If I need more carrying capacity, I can bring along my SPI Belt. Conveniently, light mounts on the road bike are the same as on the main commute bike, so the lights move around easily as needed.

Panniers and racks, who needs ‘em? Clunky handlebar or tube bag? I sneer at them. During this season, I can ride Buddy occasionally or drive in “the Laundryschlepper” for laundry exchange. The rest of the time, the road bike keeps Buddy’s mileage down AND it is a good five minutes faster to work.

The "Water Bottle" Carrier Makes it all Work. There's a Spare Tube in There, Too

Institute for Practical Bicycle Video Detection Research

ENOUGH of all this Bike School stuff for the moment. Let's do something pretentious. Hence the post title. Any of you are welcome to purchase the rights to it from me if we agree to suitable financial terms.

In English, this post is about how to get traffic signals to change for you when you are on a bike, and not those namby pamby induction ones, but the big video cameras. This is a tough one. HERE, I talked about induction loop signals. Amusingly, Rantwick, HERE, tested that tired old theory that magnets will help and found they don't.

Today, I delve further into a more mysterious area of traffic signals, the Video Imaging Vehicle Detection System (VIVDS in traffic speak). If you search around on the internet, you'll find two classes of information about VIVDS and cyclists. The first, epitomized HERE (regrettably, since it is usually FULL of good stuff), HERE, HERE, and HERE (among dozens of others), basically give no useful information at all about what the traveling cyclist needs to know to trigger such a system. All they say is "these are great for cyclists." Well, it ain't necessarily so. What these articles don't tell you is that cameras only work well when properly installed and calibrated, and presuming that the windstorm that hit last night didn't swing the camera around 79 degrees (which I have seen happen). Fortunately, there is also a second kind of information, which completely ignores bicycles, but which DOES give solid information. As it turns out, those "these are great for bikes" articles didn't LOOK at the second articles. Which is why you are fortunate to be reading this. Consider yourself "cutting edge."

FUNDAMENTALS

If you aren't the type of person who simply is highly trusting of the traffic types that do stuff like create door zone bike lanes, or stop signs just for the heck of it, read on. The first two photos are from a Texas A&M study on VIVDS system effectiveness, and the third is from a Purdue study. You can read these for yourself HERE and HERE. In truth, I forgot to copy the link when I pinched the pictures, but you'll see them in various forms in the links, along with all kinds of trivia it didn't occur to me might apply to cyclists.

Anyway, a VIVDS system works by detecting pixel changes in a "zone" that is programmed into the system when the camera is installed. You may notice that the cameras are usually installed fairly high in the air. This is so they can get a good view of the area leading up to the intersection stop line without also capturing clutter such as the horizon. As you can see in the first photo, the camera is aimed at the stop line and the roadway leading up to the stop line.  The horizon is purposely out of view. IF you happen to favor riding shoulders in such a situation, you may also notice that the shoulder disappears out of the view of the camera. Thus, we learn our first lesson. WHEN YOU WANT TO TRIGGER A CAMERA SIGNAL TO CHANGE, MOVE INTO A TRAFFIC LANE WELL BEFORE COMING UPON THE STOP LINE. This way you will be detected. Few cameras will be set to detect things on the shoulder, sidewalk, or median. More often than not, they are puposely set to AVOID detecting such areas. These things create false signals. Don't be a false signal unless you like waiting forever.

As you may see in the second photo, the camera is not simply set to just read a big blob waiting patiently for the light. It is broken into zones, so the camera can detect traffic approaching the intersection as well as traffic waiting for the light. This is another reason you want to move into the traffic lane well in advance of the intersection. However, take a good look at the Stop-Line Detection zones and imagine the situation of a cyclist that stops where the nose of the gray car stopped. That cyclist has given up at least half his/her pixels to the zone boundary. What's more, if the vagaries of weather have tilted that camera up just a smidge, the cyclist will be outside the detection zone altogether. This leads us to the second lesson. WHEN STOPPING FOR A CAMERA, STOP A BIT BACK FROM THE STOP LINE SO THE CAMERA SEES YOU. This also brings up the third lesson. WHEN DECIDING WHERE TO STOP, LOOK AT WHERE THE CAMERA POINTS. I have seen cameras spun by the wind around North Texas. The zones will move the way the camera has shifted. You want to be IN that detection zone. If the camera is pointed towards Oklahoma, it won't see you unless you are on your way south FROM Okalahoma. God LOVE those OKIES, except for the ones that drive red pickups with OU stickers on them.

You may also encounter one of these cameras at night. Well, they do not work by magic and they don't have IR or some special night vision. They get triggered by what they see. One more reason you don't want to depend only on a reflector at night. I do not know definitely if it helps to point your light at the camera, but it seems to me that pointing a blinky headlight at a camera at night ought to catch its attention. I've tried it and the light triggered, but it might have changed anyway. Still, I often check to see how far I can lift my front wheel when I am stopped at these types of light in the dark. Which brings up the final rule, AT NIGHT, NINJA CAN WAIT FOREVER! You KNEW there was some reason you needed to ride with lights at night. Now you know at least one reason why that you never read in the bike books. For all you know, there MIGHT be a ninja in that middle lane.

PS: As a duly designated remote tester, I EXPECT that you all will journey to some video signal camera you've never been able to trigger and give all this high tech stuff a go. I hope to hear of success, but these can be tricky devils. Unlike the induction units, there are not cuts in the pavement to clue you in. AND, if you can get me in touch with Eli Mowbray, of the Santa Cruz Public Works Department, you get double points. I suspect that guy can fill in the gaps a casual internet search leaves behind.

More on Lights You Might Not Know

One bracket fits most Planet Bike tail lights

Yesterday, I related here how my Planet Bike Superflash started turning itself off. Tonight, I performed minor surgery on it and bent the switch bracket a smidge to make it harder to turn on (and also off). We'll see if that cures the irritant. I won't mind a light being a tad harder to turn on if it doesn't turn OFF by itself. In the light's defense, I now have nearly a year's use from it with three sets of batteries, so it's not a total waste of the $15 I paid for it. AND, there's another consideration to this light, and to some Cateye lights as well, that is worth considering. So, campers, if a PB or Cateye is on YOUR Christmas list, and you're unsure if that was wise, read on.

Simply put - when considering a low cost light, also consider the bracket. Planet Bike includes not only a seat post bracket with its tail lights, but also a seat stay bracket. This gives you a lot more choices of where to mount the things. What's more, most of their current lights all use the SAME bracket. This means you can swap lights amongst the various bikes you have and use different lights. This sounds like a pretty minor item, but it means I can carry a spare light of a different model and it'll fit the bracket I have installed. It also meant that when I thought I had a Superflash problem, I was able to get the model available at the LBS and it just snapped in place, allowing me to be on my way in no more time than it took to put the batteries in. If I want, I can put brackets on multiple bikes and in multiple places and have easy light mounting regardless of whether I have a trunk installed or whatever. Planet Bike treats its front lights the same way - one bracket fits multiple light models. You buy a few spare brackets and you can have two lights on each and every bike you ride without going broke buying lights. If a light goes bad, a replacement will give you yet another bracket option.

 One bracket fits most Cateye headlights

Cateye headlights (the Cateye tail light brackets seem much less standardized) are much the same way. While I'm not overly keen on how stable the Cateye headlight bracket is, it'll take any light from the little blinky one up to the 530 model. In response to a comment I made on "Lovely Bicycle," here, that suggested I get a new bracket, I was able to discount that advice because I have THREE Cateye brackets on two different bicycles, and I've considered buying a couple more so I can run two headlights on any of the frequently ridden bikes with a simple snap & go. I find moving brackets around to be fiddly and the plastic loses a bit with repeated tightening and loosening. Without extra brackets, I'd not be routinely running with two headlights on each bike. During the day, an empty bracket weighs very little.

So, my HL-EL530 that jiggles in the mount would NOT be helped by a new mount (it needs a shim), and I'll keep buying Planet Bike tail lights, even if my Superflash surgery proves unsuccessful. The more brackets I've got, the more I get easy lighting options. Lights that go on a bike easy get used. Something to keep in mind!

PS: Nobody noticed, but in the previous light post, the Planet Bike Superflash is mounted upside down! The PB rear light brackets work equally well in either direction. When mounted on my Tricross seatstay, the light could not be installed OTHER than upside down. Now, with it mounted on the rack stay, I have it mounted rightside up again.

Return of the Death Star

In the waning month of Daylight Savings Time, one of the creepy aspects of my commute was a black, Hummer H2 in the Remington Park Subdivision of Colleyville. After several weeks, seeing it most mornings, I came to think of it as an early 21st Century precursor to the Star Wars "Death Star."

You see, this vehicle was off on the dark side of Remington Parkway, silently waiting, just waiting, but with all of its running lights eerily glowing in the dark. I guess it was probably a mom waiting with her child for the school bus to show up, but it seemed vaguely sinister to me somehow. Not that it ever appeared to threaten me or any other traffic or pedestrian anywhere in the vicinity. It just seemed BAD. Like as in "the dark side."

Surprisingly, when Standard Time arrived, I no longer saw the Hummer parked in its appointed spot. Instead, on a few mornings, I'd see (I'm happy to report) a Jaguar XKR, or, more often, nothing at all. I figured the Hummer/Death Star decided to patrol some other galaxy, or at least another neighborhood. Until this morning, that is. Perhaps the Death Star needed a bit more shortening of the days before it felt it safe to reappear.

This morning, it was there once again, in the dark, complete with its glowing running lights. Seeing it, I resolved to capture it in a photo and so I stopped to pull out my iPhone camera. The intelligence associated with it was apparently disturbed by my stopping, or perhaps was just concerned I felt endangered, because its lights suddenly all winked out. With no flash, the opportunity for a picture was gone and so you see, instead, my impression of what I saw.

One might wonder why it's necessary to drive a child to a bus pickup point, within a subdivision, on a nice, albeit slightly crisp, morning, but maybe there's a good reason. Maybe it's just someone that's gotten a little too used to driving everywhere due to an infrastructure that has neglected the simple pleasures of walking around the neighborhood - and this is very common in subdivisions around here. Myself, walking about in the morning is enjoyable (unless I have a flat tire on my bike). Where people walk, they enjoy things a bit more. Just my personal take. Submitted for y'all's consideration...

Buddy Goes All Soft on Me

Buddy sports a new bag and fenders
Reflector will be replaced with an amber SAE unit
once I can get to an RV store to buy one.

This coming week, the temperatures are forecast to be a LOT lower in North Texas than they were the first two weeks of November. We're talking down into the upper 30's which is a good 20 degrees colder than anything previously seen this fall. Maybe it'll snow for Thanksgiving?

I've been considering carefully the problem of getting to work comfortably when the ride home might be 40 degrees higher than the ride in to work. Last winter, with a shorter commute, it was still pretty unpleasant when it got down near freezing - and that reduced ride frequency. I still prefer to travel light, because the ride both ways isn't short, and lugging around extra stuff is not something to be done without due consideration, but long pants, cycling jacket, and other items needed in the morning get me overheated on the way home.

Anyway, after nearly a year of resistance, I've determined to get a rack and bag for Buddy for the upcoming cold months. In a fit of spending overenthusiasm, I also got a set of fenders, but more on those later. Let's stick to essentials for the time being.

For the rack and bag, I considered a lot of options, but selected a Topeak rack and bag. While I don't leave Buddy unattended, I really like the notion that the bag can be slid on and off, "clicking" into place. The "mini" panniers, stowed away in the photos, give the bag added utility without an undue weight penalty. The rack and bag went on with no problems. I painted the bracket stays black to match the rack instead of leaving them silver. I don't know why Topeak didn't do this themselves - it gives the installation a much more finished look.

I think I've still got a bit of work to do in order to get the lighting setup right. The light mounted on the rack stay is a bit unstable due to a little too much rubber in the mount, the reflector is borrowed from my wife's bike and I plan to replace it with an amber SAE reflector which is FAR superior to a CPSC reflector (they don't sell SAE reflectors at bike shops - you have to go to an auto or RV parts place). I am also not happy with how the oval light droops when clipped to the back of the bag.

Buddy's bag snapped into place. I'm not sure about these fenders, though!

Traffic Signal Camera Theories

"Western lights" - no cameras here, but you've seen them!

Back in June, here, I talked a bit about triggering traffic lights. The information is still good, and well worth a read if you're having trouble getting the lights to do what you want them to do without depending on a cooperative motorist to trigger them. Since then, I've not further pushed the state of the art on inductive loop signaling, unlike Rantwick, who here took it upon himself to bust the myth that magnets can help you trigger signal changes. He did stop short of having the magnets implanted into his feet, so there's still a remote possibility that magnets might make miracles.

This post is about those devilish cameras many traffic departments install nowadays, to help traffic lights know when to change. They see you - or maybe not. There's really no way to tell unless you see that the signal's changing. I've gotten more practice with these than I really wanted. Each day, I get just a touch better at tricking them into recognizing my presence. I've been thinking about this signal addendum for a while. Here's what I THINK I may have learned. I hope it helps. If it does, thank Rantwick's magnet for getting me off the stick:

• The best spot to stop (left to right) is when the camera is pointing DIRECTLY at you. Sometimes that'll be the RH lane, sometimes the Center lane, and sometimes the LH lane. I don't know if this is intentional or just sloppy aiming. Still, it's not hard to see if the camera is pointed at you. THAT is the best spot to be.
• Stop so the camera is aimed at your belly button or chest. If it's lined up at your head (eyes sighting in line with the camera axis), you're further forward than optimum. Stop a few feet back from that stop line. You want to occupy as many pixels as possible. This took a little more experience than the first item, but it really helps.
• If you want to be proactive, wave your arms and head, sort of like you were doing jumping jacks. I have no idea if this really helps, but it makes me FEEL better and it can't hurt. Besides, if anyone asks, I'm just trying to trigger the darn light, as a standard, typical, law-abiding cyclist.
• Turn your bike sideways if you feel like it (make a bigger signal), but be ready if the light starts changing, so you're not turned sideways with a green. That could be embarrasing to miss a light and any overtaking motorists would have their opinions of flaky cyclists totally confirmed. I have only tried this one twice. Neither seemed very satisfactory. I like to have my bike pointed in my intended direction of travel.
• If a car comes up behind me, I find a way to waddle left or right so the motorist can use her car's superior bulk to take up more camera pixels. I always explain to the motorist that they're better at triggering lights than I am. It's not always true, but I hope it plants the notion that not all cyclist red light running is pure scofflawery. If nothing else, it engenders a spirit of cooperative good will.
• On some occasions, notably where Church crosses Highway 26 in Colleyville, I've now have triggered cameras when a small car in the adjacent lane (lane #3) failed to do so. Motorists of the world take note! I will consider triggering signals for you in exchange for a small commission. However, I also learned, here, that a cyclist must be extra careful when triggering traffic signals in other than the "proper" places permitted by law to cyclists. Yup, at the same Church Street crossing.
• And, once in a very rare while, when I feel like being particularly dramatic, I'll lay the bike down in the middle of the road, sprint over to push the pedestrian signal, and then dash back to the bike. No point in this unless there are witnesses. Preferably witnesses that work for the traffic department.
• On occasion, you'll see a camera that's pointing in totally the wrong way. Neither you nor your motoring friends will trigger such. On Precinct Line/North Tarrant Pkwy, for a while, the camera facing west was misaligned by 80 degrees! It would get triggered by the folks going south on Precinct Line. It took the better part of a month before it got fixed. There was enough traffic that the thing would get triggered almost all the time. Wind around here sometimes does that.

Passing on Your RIGHT

Click on picture for a larger view

A bicycle commuter advantage is route familiarity far beyond what automobile drivers learn. For example, cycle commuters learn how to trigger balky traffic signal cameras, while most motorists simply drive up and get irritated if the light doesn’t change quickly. In bicycle school, I was weak on my "passing on your left." Some out there are weak on the "passing on your RIGHT."

Route knowledge can lead the bike commuter into danger. Some traffic cameras along my route require me to be in very specific locations in order to trigger them. The light in Colleyville at the intersection of Church Street, where it crosses Highway 26, will only trigger if I am positioned towards the right side of the #2 Lane. It will not trigger if I’m on the left side of the #3 Lane, which would normally be the proper place for a cyclist intending to cross the intersection. Under Texas FTR law, there’s no excuse for me being in that #2 Lane for any reason whatsoever, since I can’t turn left from that lane and there’s a through lane to its right. I have complained about this light, but even if the city fixed it, would I really be able to tell? It’s not like they put up a sign saying they fixed the insensitive signal camera. Instead, they posted the name of the traffic engineer.

On Thursday afternoon, I made a stop at Starbucks (coincidentally at this very intersection). Coming up to the light, there were no cars to trigger the light for me, so I used my knowledge and stopped in the #2 Lane “Sweet Spot.” When the light turned green, I proceeded. As I start across this intersection, if I’ve started from the #2 Lane, I do a lateral drift to the right of about four feet, which places me in the left tire track of the #3 Lane. I do this because most drivers prefer the #2 Lane, which leads them to the shopping locales on the north side of Church Street, and it allows them to not get stuck behind those turning right onto 26. The drift avoids encouraging an overtaking motorist into swerving around to the right lane and then back left. It also discourages motorists on Highway 26 from taking a free right turn until after I’ve cleared the intersection. This time, an Escalade, making a dash for the green light I’d triggered, suddenly appeared off my Starboard Beam, passing on the right at a goodly clip, about where I’d normally drift right. I expect they saw me up ahead and went right, not thinking about why the cyclist was in the wrong lane and what he’d probably do next. It’s a short light. Supposing I’d not seen the Escalade and executed the “drift right,” my commute might have made the Star Telegram, which is not my goal since I'd not be around to read the ugly comments. As it was, I got treated to a “fast pass on your RIGHT,” which certainly grabs MY attention.

Who do you think would have been blamed had a collision occurred? I don’t imagine they’d interview the traffic department about their cameras. I think a lane change in an intersection, directly in front of a moving vehicle, from an illegal lane position would have provided easy closure. Be careful out there.

PS: I’m programming the traffic departments for all the jurisdictions along my route into my cell phone. While police will usually take a complaint, it’s not really their job to get traffic light signals adjusted. Calling the traffic people while at a nonfunctioning light seems somehow extra satisfying. As for the “drift,” probably the best corrective action is to add another head check as the light changes to green, before moving forward. It's actually easiest to see the right lane with a head check to the left due to the street curve. Either way, I’d have seen that Escalade a half block back. While I wouldn’t have known the driver’s intent, it would have registered as a potential hazard and a possible “pass on the right.” My extra head check would add about a half second delay to anyone coming up behind me in the #2 Lane. It's a good use of a half second...

Darkness Closes In

Here in North Texas, everyone’s noticed that it’s getting cooler. I wore a long sleeved shirt for the first time this season today. What gets my attention much more than the weather is the rate at which the days are getting shorter, and how the morning commute is gradually becoming an “almost entirely in the dark” affair. The photo above was shot less than two miles from work. Before you know it, I’ll be turning my lights off as I turn into the facility parking lot.

I’m not big on morning rides in the dark. Darkness decreases my safety margin, and that of the motorists who share the road with me. My wheels hit potholes more. Debris is harder to avoid. The Keller MUP gets taken off the route options list. School kids and joggers are harder to see.

On the other hand, it’d be worse if I lived further north. Maybe this is payback for the hot summers…

Turns in the Dark

In this post, I half seriously wondered if I needed to get some LED turn indicators to be seen while signaling for a left turn in the dark. Eliot suggested glow sticks. However, it turns out that there are products that might actually make it easier to be seen signaling for turns in the dark. I have NOT tried this, though I'm considering it. Ain't capitalism wonderful?

A review of the product may be found here. What attracts me is that the product isn't too expensive, isn't heavy or complicated, and might actually perform the advertised function. My thoughts are that one would probably be sufficient - to signal left turns. Right turns have far less risk of a motorist conflict while the turn is about to be executed. On Amazon.com, there's one really good review and one bad one, so the jury is out.


Still, I LIKE the idea of motorists having an easier time seeing my tanned arm hung to the left in the dark. My two rear lights make it pretty easy for someone coming up from behind, but an arm turn signal isn't ideal. This could actually help. I have no idea why the bottom photo shows one on the model's right wrist. I'd go with the left. You could always buy a second one if it works really well and you feel strongly about making sure motorists see you signaling a right turn.

The bigger question: might not a reflector, or a small rear blinkie light velcroed to one's glove work as well?

As you might guess, I have no financial interest in this product other than not wanting to spend good money buying stuff I don't use.

Blinky Headlights

I'm still riding the road bike to work, even though it's now mid August. I've got "be seen" lights on, including a blinky headlight. It really lights up the reflectors, such as those in these Bott's Dots. Actually, it gets a little hypnotizing and is worse than useless for actually seeing hazards in the pavement. In dark areas, I turn off the blink and run it in steady mode.

Looks like it'll be back to Buddy soon for the ride in to work, probably immediately after the HH100...