“Bicyclists need right lights for night rides” (The Columbian, Nov. 4) reminded bicyclists to have a light on in front and a reflector in back when it is dark.
I would add to it, suggesting that it would be a good idea for bikes on public roads to have a light in the front on all the time. Recently I was driving, going from bright sunlight into the shade on a curve. A bicyclist was in a left-turn lane waiting for me to go by. I didn’t see him until he was 20 feet away. Driving by him, he was about 6 feet away. If I would have wandered into his lane on that curve I could have hit him.
It is also a good idea for cars to always have lights on. I was driving on a local major highway recently in a heavy rainstorm. Coming toward me was a bunch of about 15 cars. The only one without lights on was a sheriff’s car. Police cars and big trucks should set the example for all of us to have our lights on always.
Another problem is lights blinding oncoming traffic. Just because you have your “dims” on doesn’t make it OK if they are too bright or shining too high.
