Am I wrong to think riding at night is safer?

[intothemystic]

I've only been riding for a few months, and have logged about 500 miles on local streets and 150 on the freeway.  In my limited experience, I feel that riding at night is safer.  I've had several close calls during the day, mostly cars pulling out in front of me from sidestreets/driveways, cars merging dangerously into my lane, etc., and zero close calls so far at night.

Of course I realize that this sample size is too small to draw any conclusions, so I'm curious to hear what others think.  It just seems that during the day, there's so much more visual information to process than at night, where against a relatively black backdrop the lights on a bike are relatively easy to see.  Also, much more traffic during the day, in general. 

My friend, who rides a bicycle everywhere, thinks I'm nuts.  She says it's way more dangerous at night, and she's lit up with flashing lights and reflectors and hi-viz gear.  Now, on a certain level, the point is probably moot---  it's always dangerous and it's always important to ride safely, avoid bad situations, anticipate evasive action, etc.-- and I don't think I'm lulling myself into any false sense of security at night--  but I'd still like to know what experienced riders think about this.  The only way that it has affected my riding is that if I need to run an errand or something that involves a lengthy ride and have a choice between going at 3 pm or 7 pm, I'm going at 7. 

Thanks for any thoughts on this.

[Bumblebee]

Dark: Fewer cages. More difficult to see object and craters in the road. Deer. Cages without headlights. Deer. Wildlife. Drunks. You're much less visible from the sides and rear at night. Closure rate information is hidden. Cages aim at bright objects, um, headlights. No visual information for emergency off pavement travel if necessary. You go into a black hole immediately after passing a head to head cage with about 50-100 feet of no useable visual information. Objects in the breakdown lane can easily be inside of your stopping distance. You can actually ride faster than you can see in terms of distance. Did I mention Deer? Yea, those too.

Day: More cages. More stressed drivers. More cellphones and talking to people in the back seat. More blatant aggression. Easier to see motorcycles. Closure rate information is better though worse with a bright headlight. Rider can see obstacles in the road. More options to abort off the pavement or into the breakdown lane.

Each has it's own hazards and advantages.

Dusk and dawn are bad. Color vision is at it's worst as it transitions to B/W thus you and the cages can't identify things as easily. Wildlife is seriously on the move.

Weather conditions change a lot of variables.

Wear high contrast gear. High contrast means high in relation to the background at street level. Background tends to be dark 99% of the time so you need seriously bright. Lime green or screaming yellow helps. Colors like red or blue even when extremely bright blend into the background due to the dark tint of the color itself. Don't depend on color or anything other than your skills and observation ability to save you.

And if you're relaxed and thinking all is good, you're not observing your environment. Teach yourself to observe. What color is the cage that's two back from you in the right lane and what is it doing? Silly suff like that moves the risk control from passive to active.

After about 50,000 miles of riding in all sorts of weather conditions, I'd take day over night to control the hazards. Day can scare you and teaches you to not only see but to observe. Night, well, ignorance is bliss right up to impact.

[ariwhiteboy]

BB put it well...I've been riding for a few miles and I prefer day.  Night can bring a whole new set of challenges that can spell danger for a new (or experienced) rider.

[Brittles]

Daytime for me if I have a choice. The older I get the worse my night vision becomes. Anyone riding down the road in the dark, at the speed limit or above, is probably overdriving their headlights. So, for me to not overdrive my headlight I'd have to be doing about 25 mph in a 65 zone. 

[green427]

I only ride in the dark if I have no choice. BB pretty much covered it all. Like Brittles, my night vision is not as good as it used to be when I was younger. Around here, we have a deer population issue, and seeing all those reflected eyes sure makes me nervous.

[Burgi]

I think it was KarlJay that had a car take him out at night. Driver claimed she only saw one light. 
I live in an area that is very well lit, has no deer, my jacket has good reflective piping and my bikes have much brighter headlights than a stock NH. I can't say if cagers see me any more or less in the dark. I do know I am still not seeing road hazards (pot holes, debris, etc.) as well.
Listen to Bee on the hi-viz gear, a solid white helmet, upgrade your headlight and most of all concentrate on your location to cages. If you are in a blind spot they won't see you no matter what you wear.

[isleofmanfan]

YES

[Bumblebee]

upgrade your headlight

Anything to improve the light spread pattern for operating at night. For some reason motorcycles tend to have have the worst headlights imaginable.

During the day, run with the low beam, not the high beam. It's very difficult to determine the location and movement of the vehicle attached to a really bright headlight that hides the main mass of the motorcycle. Low beam allows opposite direction traffic to see the rider and front of the motorcycle easier thus they can get that all critical distance and rate change information into their brains before pulling out in front of you.

Study other motorcycles while you're driving or just sitting on a street corner. Observe what you see. Judge for yourself based on real world observations. What is best and why? Bright or dim headlight during the day? Bright red helmet or screaming yellow helmet? Small head movement by the rider to clear the next lane over for a lane change, or a big headcheck looking backward? Think. Observe. Act accordingly. Experiment. And ignore what the mouths at the local motorcycle shop babble on about if it violates information obtained from direct observation and experimentation.

When I went from a bright blue helmet to screaming yellow, it was like putting a moat in around a castle. The enemy suddenly started keeping their distance a bit better. When I dumped the high beam and went low beam, the number of lane incursions from opposite direction and side traffic suddenly plummeted. Just remember that is helps and isn't an actual solution. There are cagers out there who will drive directly into a huge brick wall and not notice until the air bag goes off in their face.

and most of all concentrate on your location to cages

Actively control the cages around you. If you don't like where they are, intentionally put them somewhere else.

[drdubb]

I don't ride at night. Deer and drunk drivers are enough reasons.  I also avoid riding when the sun is low in the sky. I think the glare is dangerous to riders. That means winter time riding is based around 10-2 time periods. Your chances of not dying on a motorcycle go up if you just avoid Friday and Saturday nights.

When I was a teen, I loved night riding in the summer, but I also didn't ATTGAT and was oblivious to the dangers.

[intothemystic]

Wow--- so much great information here.  Thanks very much to all for the replies.  What's skewed my perspective is that 1) there are significantly fewer cars on the roads I frequent at night, they're nearly empty after 8 pm, and 2) I know the roads (and potholes) quite well so I haven't been jolted yet.  But I now see why this line of thinking needs to be reexamined and will take these comments under advisement.  I really appreciate everyone sharing their hard-earned knowledge.

On the high-viz front, I've got a solid white helmet and wear a bright yellow safety vest over my jacket.  I'll look into brighter headlights, I've seen others with them and they do make a difference.  I've also seen extra lights on the sides of the headlight which also seem to help.

More later, it's been a long day at work.  Thanks again.

[Bumblebee]

2) I know the roads (and potholes) quite well

Never make assumptions like that.

I'll look into brighter headlights, I've seen others with them and they do make a difference.

Just be aware that bright may attract attention however it also hides distance and closure rate information by being so overpowering. Cagers will also overfocus on the light while ignoring all other information that keeps you from becoming a hood ornament.

[ariwhiteboy]

2) I know the roads (and potholes) quite well

Never make assumptions like that.

+1  No matter how well you know the roads, those crazy deer are like 200lb moving potholes. 

Another hazard I forgot to mention was that with it being night there is a higher chance that the few cars you do meet may be piloted by people who have been. 

[intothemystic]

2) I know the roads (and potholes) quite well

Never make assumptions like that.


Understood-- thanks.

I'll look into brighter headlights, I've seen others with them and they do make a difference.

Just be aware that bright may attract attention however it also hides distance and closure rate information by being so overpowering. Cagers will also overfocus on the light while ignoring all other information that keeps you from becoming a hood ornament.

So, with brighter headlights, do the pros outweigh the cons?  I get what you mean about not using high beams during the day, but not sure which way to go at night.

[intothemystic]

+1  No matter how well you know the roads, those crazy deer are like 200lb moving potholes. 

Another hazard I forgot to mention was that with it being night there is a higher chance that the few cars you do meet may be piloted by people who have been. 

Very true.  Thanks for the feedback.

Also, I'm obviously not sure what I'm doing with the quote function here LOL

[Burgi]

2) I know the roads (and potholes) quite well

Never make assumptions like that.


Understood-- thanks.

I'll look into brighter headlights, I've seen others with them and they do make a difference.

Just be aware that bright may attract attention however it also hides distance and closure rate information by being so overpowering. Cagers will also overfocus on the light while ignoring all other information that keeps you from becoming a hood ornament.

So, with brighter headlights, do the pros outweigh the cons?  I get what you mean about not using high beams during the day, but not sure which way to go at night.

I am not talking about blinding other drivers with landing lights but you said yourself you see a difference when you see a brighter light on a bike. We have had 3 bikes with the standard dim Honda bulbs. Three from other manufacturers that came standard with brighter bulbs. Can't say I have done any sort of scientific study but it certainly seems that the brighter bulb bikes are noticed and have less problems with cages cutting them off.
It is an easy upgrade to swap a headlight bulb. I have not found one that made them as bright as my Suzuki or Triumph but anything is better than what they came with.
Personally I don't use brights at night unless I am in an area without other vehicles. Blinding fellow motorists never makes you any points.

[LOKi]

I used to think the same way. At least as far as cars pulling out in front of you or cutting across your lane. A light is a light right? I notice cars with only one headlight. Well what I wasn't taking into consideration is that a car with one headlight still blocks the lights behind it. The motorcycle doesn't. Your single head light blinds in with all the other lights on the road. You become even more invisible.

Adding secondary lights is a very good idea. For the same reason they put two little lights on the front bumper of trains. It's hard to tell how far away a single light is. Or how fast it's coming. There is no frame of reference. But when you add two more lights now you see the lights get farther and farther apart as it closes on you. Distance and closure speed can be more accurately determined.

A lot of you have heard me say this before but I'm going to keep saying it. When you see a car approach an intersection, or turn on a left hand signal ahead to cross your lane, or just sitting at an intersection...(anytime a cage can threaten to enter you line of travel) swerve back and forth a bit in your lane. Day or night this WORKS. You get the funniest looks from people when they see you do this. Like "what the hell is the fool doing??" look. But they see you and they notice you. Not only that your giving them yet another perspective on how far away you are and your closing speed on them. Bikes go unnoticed because they blind in with the background and being a single point its hard to tell distance. Like the train coming down the tracks.

[Bumblebee]

I get what you mean about not using high beams during the day, but not sure which way to go at night.

Daylight On Demand would be ideal. Don't blind opposite direction traffic though for multiple reasons.
The main problem is often a lack of available power from the motorcycle.

[green427]

I used to think the same way. At least as far as cars pulling out in front of you or cutting across your lane. A light is a light right? I notice cars with only one headlight. Well what I wasn't taking into consideration is that a car with one headlight still blocks the lights behind it. The motorcycle doesn't. Your single head light blinds in with all the other lights on the road. You become even more invisible.

Adding secondary lights is a very good idea. For the same reason they put two little lights on the front bumper of trains. It's hard to tell how far away a single light is. Or how fast it's coming. There is no frame of reference. But when you add two more lights now you see the lights get farther and farther apart as it closes on you. Distance and closure speed can be more accurately determined.

A lot of you have heard me say this before but I'm going to keep saying it. When you see a car approach an intersection, or turn on a left hand signal ahead to cross your lane, or just sitting at an intersection...(anytime a cage can threaten to enter you line of travel) swerve back and forth a bit in your lane. Day or night this WORKS. You get the funniest looks from people when they see you do this. Like "what the hell is the fool doing??" look. But they see you and they notice you. Not only that your giving them yet another perspective on how far away you are and your closing speed on them. Bikes go unnoticed because they blind in with the background and being a single point its hard to tell distance. Like the train coming down the tracks.

That is referred to as the "triangle effect". Many riders have noticed a reduction in cagers pulling in front of them after they've installed lights in a triangle pattern. This is why I have those LED auxiliary lights on my engine guards instead of right next to the headlight.

The downside is that it does not make deer notice you better....

[intothemystic]

I am not talking about blinding other drivers with landing lights but you said yourself you see a difference when you see a brighter light on a bike. We have had 3 bikes with the standard dim Honda bulbs. Three from other manufacturers that came standard with brighter bulbs. Can't say I have done any sort of scientific study but it certainly seems that the brighter bulb bikes are noticed and have less problems with cages cutting them off.
It is an easy upgrade to swap a headlight bulb. I have not found one that made them as bright as my Suzuki or Triumph but anything is better than what they came with.
Personally I don't use brights at night unless I am in an area without other vehicles. Blinding fellow motorists never makes you any points.

Thanks for the clarification, Burgi. I'm going to look for new bulbs this week.

[intothemystic]

I used to think the same way. At least as far as cars pulling out in front of you or cutting across your lane. A light is a light right? I notice cars with only one headlight. Well what I wasn't taking into consideration is that a car with one headlight still blocks the lights behind it. The motorcycle doesn't. Your single head light blinds in with all the other lights on the road. You become even more invisible.

Interesting point, never thought of that.  Thanks.

A lot of you have heard me say this before but I'm going to keep saying it. When you see a car approach an intersection, or turn on a left hand signal ahead to cross your lane, or just sitting at an intersection...(anytime a cage can threaten to enter you line of travel) swerve back and forth a bit in your lane. Day or night this WORKS. You get the funniest looks from people when they see you do this. Like "what the hell is the fool doing??" look. But they see you and they notice you. Not only that your giving them yet another perspective on how far away you are and your closing speed on them. Bikes go unnoticed because they blind in with the background and being a single point its hard to tell distance. Like the train coming down the tracks.

I saw a rider doing this the other day- he/she definitely stood out. 

[intothemystic]

That is referred to as the "triangle effect". Many riders have noticed a reduction in cagers pulling in front of them after they've installed lights in a triangle pattern. This is why I have those LED auxiliary lights on my engine guards instead of right next to the headlight.

The downside is that it does not make deer notice you better....

I really like the look of 3 lights in front, it really gets attention.  One more items to add to the list.  Thanks for the feedback.

[Hondo]

Animals at night -

[roadrunner]

My night vision has really gone to heck over the years.    Therefore, I try to avoid night driving if at all possible.  On a recent 350 mile daytrip, I lingered too long and had to ride back in a moonless night about 95 miles.  Long sections of the winding country road were unpainted and the shoulder matched the color of the pavement.  I was never so nervous in my life!  

[rwilli1228]

Rode from Charlottesville, VA to Sparks, MD in the dark on windy backroads through the foothills...in the rain.  I would recommend never doing that.

[gammer]

and most of all concentrate on your location to cages

Actively control the cages around you. If you don't like where they are, intentionally put them somewhere else.

I know allot of motorcyclists who hate driving behind cages; they'd rather be out in front of a pack of cars.

However, I like to use cagers as a 'shield'. Meaning that, I'd rather drive behind a cager (at a safe distance), in some instances...depends on the situation.
I figure cagers see other cagers easier and are more accustomed to them then me. I especially practice this when driving on a city street that has lots of side streets. I am very paranoid of a car pulling out in front of me on a side street. As this did happen to me once and if I didn't take corrective actions, I would have been smoked.
Plus, being taller then a car, you vision is not limited to the car you are following. I can observe the car in front of me as well as anything beyond it.