Strategies against getting blinded by oncoming cars












6















When I ride on a bike path alongside an unlit road in the dark, I find myself blinded by the lights of oncoming cars, even when their lights are dimmed. This is even more true if the bike path is on the left side of the road. Currently, I mitigate this by holding one hand in front of the lights of the oncoming cars, but I wonder if there are superior strategies. The military tend to use bright flashing lights as one weapon to blind their adversaries, so I expect they have also developed defensive strategies against such blinding. How can I prevent being blinded by the (dimmed!) lights of opposing cars?



bike path

Example of bike path. It's much worse in sections without a rail.






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    6















    When I ride on a bike path alongside an unlit road in the dark, I find myself blinded by the lights of oncoming cars, even when their lights are dimmed. This is even more true if the bike path is on the left side of the road. Currently, I mitigate this by holding one hand in front of the lights of the oncoming cars, but I wonder if there are superior strategies. The military tend to use bright flashing lights as one weapon to blind their adversaries, so I expect they have also developed defensive strategies against such blinding. How can I prevent being blinded by the (dimmed!) lights of opposing cars?



    bike path

    Example of bike path. It's much worse in sections without a rail.






    traffic







    share|improve this question

























      6












      6








      6








      When I ride on a bike path alongside an unlit road in the dark, I find myself blinded by the lights of oncoming cars, even when their lights are dimmed. This is even more true if the bike path is on the left side of the road. Currently, I mitigate this by holding one hand in front of the lights of the oncoming cars, but I wonder if there are superior strategies. The military tend to use bright flashing lights as one weapon to blind their adversaries, so I expect they have also developed defensive strategies against such blinding. How can I prevent being blinded by the (dimmed!) lights of opposing cars?



      bike path

      Example of bike path. It's much worse in sections without a rail.






      traffic







      share|improve this question














      When I ride on a bike path alongside an unlit road in the dark, I find myself blinded by the lights of oncoming cars, even when their lights are dimmed. This is even more true if the bike path is on the left side of the road. Currently, I mitigate this by holding one hand in front of the lights of the oncoming cars, but I wonder if there are superior strategies. The military tend to use bright flashing lights as one weapon to blind their adversaries, so I expect they have also developed defensive strategies against such blinding. How can I prevent being blinded by the (dimmed!) lights of opposing cars?



      bike path

      Example of bike path. It's much worse in sections without a rail.






      traffic




      traffic






      share|improve this question













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      share|improve this question










      asked 13 hours ago









      gerritgerrit

      1,87621429




      1,87621429






















          2 Answers
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          5















          • Use a different route, if one is available. This is obvious but I think it is actually the best solution, if it applies.


          • If you wear glasses, make sure they're very clean. If it's raining, consider using a different route even if you wouldn't in the dry..


          • I find that a cycling cap under my helmet helps quite a bit if I tilt my head down and towards the traffic so the peak is at an angle. It blocks off some of the road while not blocking the view forward too much.


          • I find it helps to run my front light brighter than I normally do, when I'm using such a cycle path. Then there's slightly less contrast between the path infront of you and the oncoming lights. Be prepared to dim your light if somebody's cycling the other way and make sure you're not being obnoxious to the motor traffic.


          • Ultimately, there doesn't seem to be a better shield than your hand.







          share|improve this answer
























          • “Be prepared to dim your light if somebody's cycling the other way and make sure you're not being obnoxious to the motor traffic.” or even better: Use a light which is designed to not blind other people.

            – Michael
            12 hours ago











          • @Michael given this is an unlit road, there's a fair chance the cars have their highbeam (brights) on.

            – Criggie♦
            11 hours ago











          • +1 for specifically mentioning cycling cap, which are significantly different to baseball/trucker caps.

            – Criggie♦
            11 hours ago











          • @Michael Until you run into someone who thinks a light barely bright enough for you to ride safely at 15 mph is "blinding" and gets all nasty.

            – Andrew Henle
            11 hours ago











          • @Criggie In practice, when I'm cycling along this road typically between 18:30 and 19:30, it's far too busy for any car to use high beam, but I would expect such to be the case late at night or in the middle of the night.

            – gerrit
            9 hours ago





















          3














          Also, you can avoid looking directly at the headlights. Look slight off to the side, and maybe downwards a bit. I'd probably look at the edge of the path the farthest from the road. That way, you'll see things on the path, without your eyes looking directly into the lights of the car.



          You'll still be able to see the path just fine.






          share|improve this answer























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            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

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            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes









            5















            • Use a different route, if one is available. This is obvious but I think it is actually the best solution, if it applies.


            • If you wear glasses, make sure they're very clean. If it's raining, consider using a different route even if you wouldn't in the dry..


            • I find that a cycling cap under my helmet helps quite a bit if I tilt my head down and towards the traffic so the peak is at an angle. It blocks off some of the road while not blocking the view forward too much.


            • I find it helps to run my front light brighter than I normally do, when I'm using such a cycle path. Then there's slightly less contrast between the path infront of you and the oncoming lights. Be prepared to dim your light if somebody's cycling the other way and make sure you're not being obnoxious to the motor traffic.


            • Ultimately, there doesn't seem to be a better shield than your hand.







            share|improve this answer
























            • “Be prepared to dim your light if somebody's cycling the other way and make sure you're not being obnoxious to the motor traffic.” or even better: Use a light which is designed to not blind other people.

              – Michael
              12 hours ago











            • @Michael given this is an unlit road, there's a fair chance the cars have their highbeam (brights) on.

              – Criggie♦
              11 hours ago











            • +1 for specifically mentioning cycling cap, which are significantly different to baseball/trucker caps.

              – Criggie♦
              11 hours ago











            • @Michael Until you run into someone who thinks a light barely bright enough for you to ride safely at 15 mph is "blinding" and gets all nasty.

              – Andrew Henle
              11 hours ago











            • @Criggie In practice, when I'm cycling along this road typically between 18:30 and 19:30, it's far too busy for any car to use high beam, but I would expect such to be the case late at night or in the middle of the night.

              – gerrit
              9 hours ago


















            5















            • Use a different route, if one is available. This is obvious but I think it is actually the best solution, if it applies.


            • If you wear glasses, make sure they're very clean. If it's raining, consider using a different route even if you wouldn't in the dry..


            • I find that a cycling cap under my helmet helps quite a bit if I tilt my head down and towards the traffic so the peak is at an angle. It blocks off some of the road while not blocking the view forward too much.


            • I find it helps to run my front light brighter than I normally do, when I'm using such a cycle path. Then there's slightly less contrast between the path infront of you and the oncoming lights. Be prepared to dim your light if somebody's cycling the other way and make sure you're not being obnoxious to the motor traffic.


            • Ultimately, there doesn't seem to be a better shield than your hand.







            share|improve this answer
























            • “Be prepared to dim your light if somebody's cycling the other way and make sure you're not being obnoxious to the motor traffic.” or even better: Use a light which is designed to not blind other people.

              – Michael
              12 hours ago











            • @Michael given this is an unlit road, there's a fair chance the cars have their highbeam (brights) on.

              – Criggie♦
              11 hours ago











            • +1 for specifically mentioning cycling cap, which are significantly different to baseball/trucker caps.

              – Criggie♦
              11 hours ago











            • @Michael Until you run into someone who thinks a light barely bright enough for you to ride safely at 15 mph is "blinding" and gets all nasty.

              – Andrew Henle
              11 hours ago











            • @Criggie In practice, when I'm cycling along this road typically between 18:30 and 19:30, it's far too busy for any car to use high beam, but I would expect such to be the case late at night or in the middle of the night.

              – gerrit
              9 hours ago
















            5












            5








            5








            • Use a different route, if one is available. This is obvious but I think it is actually the best solution, if it applies.


            • If you wear glasses, make sure they're very clean. If it's raining, consider using a different route even if you wouldn't in the dry..


            • I find that a cycling cap under my helmet helps quite a bit if I tilt my head down and towards the traffic so the peak is at an angle. It blocks off some of the road while not blocking the view forward too much.


            • I find it helps to run my front light brighter than I normally do, when I'm using such a cycle path. Then there's slightly less contrast between the path infront of you and the oncoming lights. Be prepared to dim your light if somebody's cycling the other way and make sure you're not being obnoxious to the motor traffic.


            • Ultimately, there doesn't seem to be a better shield than your hand.







            share|improve this answer














            • Use a different route, if one is available. This is obvious but I think it is actually the best solution, if it applies.


            • If you wear glasses, make sure they're very clean. If it's raining, consider using a different route even if you wouldn't in the dry..


            • I find that a cycling cap under my helmet helps quite a bit if I tilt my head down and towards the traffic so the peak is at an angle. It blocks off some of the road while not blocking the view forward too much.


            • I find it helps to run my front light brighter than I normally do, when I'm using such a cycle path. Then there's slightly less contrast between the path infront of you and the oncoming lights. Be prepared to dim your light if somebody's cycling the other way and make sure you're not being obnoxious to the motor traffic.


            • Ultimately, there doesn't seem to be a better shield than your hand.








            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 12 hours ago









            David RicherbyDavid Richerby

            11.7k33459




            11.7k33459













            • “Be prepared to dim your light if somebody's cycling the other way and make sure you're not being obnoxious to the motor traffic.” or even better: Use a light which is designed to not blind other people.

              – Michael
              12 hours ago











            • @Michael given this is an unlit road, there's a fair chance the cars have their highbeam (brights) on.

              – Criggie♦
              11 hours ago











            • +1 for specifically mentioning cycling cap, which are significantly different to baseball/trucker caps.

              – Criggie♦
              11 hours ago











            • @Michael Until you run into someone who thinks a light barely bright enough for you to ride safely at 15 mph is "blinding" and gets all nasty.

              – Andrew Henle
              11 hours ago











            • @Criggie In practice, when I'm cycling along this road typically between 18:30 and 19:30, it's far too busy for any car to use high beam, but I would expect such to be the case late at night or in the middle of the night.

              – gerrit
              9 hours ago





















            • “Be prepared to dim your light if somebody's cycling the other way and make sure you're not being obnoxious to the motor traffic.” or even better: Use a light which is designed to not blind other people.

              – Michael
              12 hours ago











            • @Michael given this is an unlit road, there's a fair chance the cars have their highbeam (brights) on.

              – Criggie♦
              11 hours ago











            • +1 for specifically mentioning cycling cap, which are significantly different to baseball/trucker caps.

              – Criggie♦
              11 hours ago











            • @Michael Until you run into someone who thinks a light barely bright enough for you to ride safely at 15 mph is "blinding" and gets all nasty.

              – Andrew Henle
              11 hours ago











            • @Criggie In practice, when I'm cycling along this road typically between 18:30 and 19:30, it's far too busy for any car to use high beam, but I would expect such to be the case late at night or in the middle of the night.

              – gerrit
              9 hours ago



















            “Be prepared to dim your light if somebody's cycling the other way and make sure you're not being obnoxious to the motor traffic.” or even better: Use a light which is designed to not blind other people.

            – Michael
            12 hours ago





            “Be prepared to dim your light if somebody's cycling the other way and make sure you're not being obnoxious to the motor traffic.” or even better: Use a light which is designed to not blind other people.

            – Michael
            12 hours ago













            @Michael given this is an unlit road, there's a fair chance the cars have their highbeam (brights) on.

            – Criggie♦
            11 hours ago





            @Michael given this is an unlit road, there's a fair chance the cars have their highbeam (brights) on.

            – Criggie♦
            11 hours ago













            +1 for specifically mentioning cycling cap, which are significantly different to baseball/trucker caps.

            – Criggie♦
            11 hours ago





            +1 for specifically mentioning cycling cap, which are significantly different to baseball/trucker caps.

            – Criggie♦
            11 hours ago













            @Michael Until you run into someone who thinks a light barely bright enough for you to ride safely at 15 mph is "blinding" and gets all nasty.

            – Andrew Henle
            11 hours ago





            @Michael Until you run into someone who thinks a light barely bright enough for you to ride safely at 15 mph is "blinding" and gets all nasty.

            – Andrew Henle
            11 hours ago













            @Criggie In practice, when I'm cycling along this road typically between 18:30 and 19:30, it's far too busy for any car to use high beam, but I would expect such to be the case late at night or in the middle of the night.

            – gerrit
            9 hours ago







            @Criggie In practice, when I'm cycling along this road typically between 18:30 and 19:30, it's far too busy for any car to use high beam, but I would expect such to be the case late at night or in the middle of the night.

            – gerrit
            9 hours ago













            3














            Also, you can avoid looking directly at the headlights. Look slight off to the side, and maybe downwards a bit. I'd probably look at the edge of the path the farthest from the road. That way, you'll see things on the path, without your eyes looking directly into the lights of the car.



            You'll still be able to see the path just fine.






            share|improve this answer




























              3














              Also, you can avoid looking directly at the headlights. Look slight off to the side, and maybe downwards a bit. I'd probably look at the edge of the path the farthest from the road. That way, you'll see things on the path, without your eyes looking directly into the lights of the car.



              You'll still be able to see the path just fine.






              share|improve this answer


























                3












                3








                3







                Also, you can avoid looking directly at the headlights. Look slight off to the side, and maybe downwards a bit. I'd probably look at the edge of the path the farthest from the road. That way, you'll see things on the path, without your eyes looking directly into the lights of the car.



                You'll still be able to see the path just fine.






                share|improve this answer













                Also, you can avoid looking directly at the headlights. Look slight off to the side, and maybe downwards a bit. I'd probably look at the edge of the path the farthest from the road. That way, you'll see things on the path, without your eyes looking directly into the lights of the car.



                You'll still be able to see the path just fine.







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered 11 hours ago









                Andrew HenleAndrew Henle

                2,020811




                2,020811






























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