Comments on: Commuting 101: Save Your Night Vision

By: larry

larry — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:13:11 +0000

wtf are you worried about depth perception for? if you need it just open your freaking eye you moron, lol.

By: Quinn

Quinn — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:54:48 +0000

Easier solution than closing one eye, Low mount your lights (under the bar, on the drop, on the steer tube, on the fork blades) and cover all non forward facing light, lenses.

closing your eye only works for a short time, until your body adjusts.

By: RocBike.com

RocBike.com — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 04:54:01 +0000

Links Of The Day: 29 August 2007…

From The Bike-O-Sphere

One of those days…
Color Me Nauseous: Cycling’s Worst Paint Jobs
Three links you won’t want to miss
Commuting 101: Save Your Night Vision
Beans
Flower Box
Where Would You Go? What Would You Carry?
Morning madness and …

By: Warren T

Warren T — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 00:26:33 +0000

And here is the link:

http://lh3.google.com/WarrenT913/RUfgoaL2ABI/AAAAAAAAAHc/PFqW46bXClw/s288/Picture%20057.jpg

Thought it would work… So much for my wicked, mad, ninja html skilz

By: Warren T

Warren T — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 00:24:41 +0000

First, I just want to say I appreciate all the comments. I decided to go all Mythbusters on my way home tonight and even though I had plenty of light I closed an eye at a spot that I would have never thought of closing an eye before.

This bridge is 4 feet wide and my handle bars are just over 2 feet wide. May I say that I did sneak a peek a couple times but made it across with no problems. Granted, it wasn’t a pleasant feeling AT ALL — but I made it. So once again, I’m just saying it is something worth trying IF you are at a point in your ride that it makes sense.

Let’s call this one “Plausible.”

By: Richard Masoner

Richard Masoner — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 23:21:47 +0000

I thought about depth perception too on the first read of the article, but in reality you’re flying blind anyway if you don’t have your night vision. Riding a few seconds with an eye closed isn’t going to send me into the ditch or another cyclist. Your brain is capable of maintaining depth perception with one eye just from your movement through space.

By: Kaz Kougar

Kaz Kougar — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 21:55:21 +0000

Sharp stick? Isn’t that what riding glasses are for? I can’t tell you how many times this summer a bug has nailed me in the face just a few inches below the eye. After that I can’t imagine what a rock from a car tire or a “sharp stick” would feel like. Now what’s that word for not riding with eye protection? …Oh ya, foolish! This should be applied to those riding with one eye or two and I think that Warren T’s advice is good advice and has been taken a little out of context by most here.

By: dr awkward

dr awkward — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 20:38:48 +0000

Binocular vision is the least important cue of many that you have for depth-perception. The important reason to have two eyes is in case one meets a sharp stick.

By: Dwainedibbly

Dwainedibbly — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 20:23:11 +0000

That’s why pirates wore eye patches. Keep the patch down while raiding above deck, then, when you jump into the hold, flip the patch up and you have instant night vision.

By: Warren T

Warren T — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 20:17:07 +0000

I’ll admit I debated mentioning depth perception (I even had an extremely entertaining reference of Leela from Futurama lined up).

There are some trade offs here, but the truth is, I’ll sacrifice the depth perception for a few moments to not be flying blind in the dark. Common sense is the key — if you’re in traffic keep both eyes open, once you get engulfed in darkness, try to find a safe spot to wait for your night vision to come back. If you know you’ll be in the clear, give it a try and prep for the “difference between night and day.”

If you don’t think you’ll be comfortable doing this, you can always practice in a nice open space. I’ve been practicing track stands in a parking lot on the way to my Dad’s on Sunday afternoons. Sure, I get some weird looks every now and then — but I will soon be able to amaze my friends and neighbors.