Lights Save Lives

[Rexlion]

Walking the dog tonight at 9 pm, came across 6 kids milling around in the dark street on their bikes with zero lights on. Ages 5 to 10 roughly. They were with a young woman, guessing a nanny, whose bike had only a single spoke light on.

So I stopped. I like to ride at night, too, I said. But if you guys have bike lights, you really ought to turn them on. None thought they had bike lights. So I politely explained the risk they were taking in our very dark neighborhood full of old people with poor night vision. Asked them to promise me they'd tell their parents to get them bike lights.

To my surprise, they seemed to take it seriously and promised they would ask. Then the nanny said, "Oh yes, we must get lights!" And off they went down the street, all invisible, even the nanny.

The dog and I resumed our walk. On the way home, found the same 6 kids and nanny, right back in the street on bikes, same spot. Only this time, every bike had a light on! Two of the kids even thanked me!! So did the nanny.

Don't even know where to start.

Good move!! Most parents really do want to help keep their kids safe. And what kid wouldn't bug a parent to buy them a new gizmo? I'm sure all the kids enjoyed using the lights.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Good move!! Most parents really do want to help keep their kids safe. And what kid wouldn't bug a parent to buy them a new gizmo? I'm sure all the kids enjoyed using the lights.

Agree, but there was clearly a giant lapse in adult responsibility at some level in this episode — nanny, parents, or some combo thereof.

The bikes must've had lights all along, as the 2 encounters were only 15-20 minutes apart. Why weren't they on in the first place? Why didn't the kids know they had lights?

Our neighborhood is VERY dark at night, and the kids were basically invisible without lights. Doesn't take an Einstein to figure out that if you let your kids ride at night, you should be 100% sure that their lights are on. AND that they're on constant lookout for our biggest threat on night rides — oblivious pedestrians wandering the streets in dark clothing.

 

[teskow]

Hmm-first time I've ever heard that one. You say bright safety vests etc. are not seen by cars? If someone is behind the wheel and can't see a bright orange or green floresent vest up ahead, they have no business driving. I can see those things a block away! As long as there is a small amount of light out. If not, all the road crews in every state should toss out their safety clothes as nobody can see them. Now, they are designed for daytime use, not night. For nightime, lights are the only real option.

Right on.

 

[Rexlion]

Agree, but there was clearly a giant lapse in adult responsibility at some level in this episode — nanny, parents, or some combo thereof.

The bikes must've had lights all along, as the 2 encounters were only 15-20 minutes apart. Why weren't they on in the first place? Why didn't the kids know they had lights?

Our neighborhood is VERY dark at night, and the kids were basically invisible without lights. Doesn't take an Einstein to figure out that if you let your kids ride at night, you should be 100% sure that their lights are on. AND that they're on constant lookout for our biggest threat on night rides — oblivious pedestrians wandering the streets in dark clothing.

Oh! I assumed the encounters were days apart. 20 minutes? Maybe they went home and got fresh batteries put in. Yeah, responsible parents should do better.