Lighting reciprocity and the bane of night time suburbia

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Just because you can see me doesn't mean that I can't see you. And run into you. Bikes, bikes, pedestrians, accidents are on the increase. And unnecessarily so.

When I was a child, road safety on a bike or on foot was drummed into me. Lights, reflective bands, torches, the works. At night, such things are vital to keeping everyone safe in suburbia.

Yet, in 2026, I see - everywhere around me - cyclists, escooter riders (already illegal in the UK by definition) and pedestrians, all moving around dressed in black or other dark colours, with no lights or reflectors of any kind. 



At least once a week, at night, I have a narrow escape with one of these - let's face it - stupid people. And if there was a collision then I content that it would be 100% their fault. Careful lighting or reflecting should still be mandatory. As it was in the 1960s and 1970s when I was growing up. 

I've ranted about this before, but an incident last night causes me to rise up once again...

I was turning into my own road, i.e. 100m from home, at 10pm at night, and the junction is very badly lit - street lamps are 30m north and south of it. I started turning in and immediately there in front of me was a lady and her dog, crossing the road, illuminated in my headlamps. I jammed on the brakes and thankfully was able to stop before hitting them. I opened the window and muttered something about 'Sorry, I didn't see you at all' and they carried on their way no doubt with heart racing a little.

What I should have said was 'Sorry, but why on earth are you dog walking at night in dark clothing and with no high visibility gear and with no torch or light of any kind?'

Even a lit collar around the dog's neck would have done for me to be able to see them crossing before my headlamps swung round.

On closer inspection, I could see that she was on her phone while crossing. So she was also not paying attention to me coming, not wondering 'I wonder whether that car will see us?'

I guess I shouldn't beat myself up over the near incident, seeing as this was 99% the pedestrian's fault. But in such matters, the motorist would be blamed. Gah.

When I walk the dog at night,  I ALWAYS have a torch, waving around so that I can see what the dog is eating and where I'm walking, plus any cars around will see my moving bright light and will know instantly where I cam and my intentions.

Sorry for ranting. But then that's what this blog is here for!

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