Alan.
Regarding the incident.
I described it as I experienced it.
I saw no evidence of a light just broken wheel reflector but I did not closely inspect the bike.
There are other reasons to suggest no light but I prefer not to post them until I read an account somewhere else.
I am not trying to prejudice anything.
However with respect, I was there and I saw what I saw or otherwise.
Therefore IF the cyclist had no light then In my view he carries a fair bit of responsibility. I am only blaming him if that is the case.
It is a simple general point about lights not that specific to my incident though you choose to personalize it.
To cycle on such a road unlit and grey clad in such wet foggy conditions is simply not safe. That maybe borne out by what happened. Blame who you like if that is what you feel like.
You can argue the case against fast motorized traffic but it is sadly a fact of life in much of the world.
And there are drivers less than the perfect example you state that you are.
Some drivers are just ok.
Passed a test and they are out there on the road in some numbers. They need a bit of help sometimes!
And as "reohn" says some are simply beyond help. I am not arguing their cause.
I am not complaining about clothing and to describe it a such is something of a distortion.
However going naked is likely to be safer than dark clad! IMV.
I say for the last time I am not a hiviz user. Just reasonable lights and a bit of reflectivity. I consider it fair to other road users amongst other reasons.
I have a point of view, think it is perfectly valid. Your point of view is valid too- I just don't agree with some of it. I think to be visible often helps a good deal.
........
And I do not agree with your lit and unlit cyclist scenario and blame.
It is the unlit cyclist that is causing the hazard.
Because I can reasonably expect a vehicle of any description moving toward me at any speed to show a light.
The fact that I can and do stop is irrelevant here.
This cheapskate moron too tight and selfish to show a light, on his way to spend £20 in a pub, is a menace.
He is restricting, if I follow your advice to creep about everywhere, my freedom to cycle in a manner I consider perfectly safe. My record states that to be a perfectly correct interpretation.
I will treat him with the distain he deserves.
Mind you I saw another good one tonight.
I know him vaguely, a retired (millionaire by some accounts) professional, dark green, full cape and a sou'wester.
No front light but I may have missed it as he had just gone past me in the supermarket car-park.
Pair of cheap floppy panniers with, just dangling from a strap (on the left!) one of those super cheap grey small Lidl LED rears.
The fact that it was dangling meant that the bit of flicker it could still muster was all on the fabric of the faded pannier which it was in semi contact with. No red light was visible behind him whatsoever.
Flickering worn pannier fabric, barely visible at 2 yards and perhaps 10 yards at the most on what was another foul drizzly night!
Many cars with condensation on insides of windows.
I mentioned his poor light when I saw him inside.
I said I thought it risky, he said," I know but we're always the most vulnerable"!!
I agreed and did my shopping!!
PS. bought the local weekly Thursday paper.
Last week's incident has appeared.
I can find no online link on the papers web page, sorry, but here is a picture of the short article.