Strategies against getting blinded by oncoming cars

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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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  • 1





    I didn't find any, but I think there should exist goggles that can block light sources using a transparent film that can be switched to opaque on a per pixel basis and a camera. Normal night vision goggles don't have that feature as far as I can tell, but they can compensate for the lack of night vision. The latter is categorized with weapons in some jurisdictions, so be careful.

    – Nobody
    Feb 19 at 18:08
















8















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.










share|improve this question

















  • 1





    I didn't find any, but I think there should exist goggles that can block light sources using a transparent film that can be switched to opaque on a per pixel basis and a camera. Normal night vision goggles don't have that feature as far as I can tell, but they can compensate for the lack of night vision. The latter is categorized with weapons in some jurisdictions, so be careful.

    – Nobody
    Feb 19 at 18:08














8












8








8








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.










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






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asked Feb 17 at 17:27









gerritgerrit

1,88821430




1,88821430







  • 1





    I didn't find any, but I think there should exist goggles that can block light sources using a transparent film that can be switched to opaque on a per pixel basis and a camera. Normal night vision goggles don't have that feature as far as I can tell, but they can compensate for the lack of night vision. The latter is categorized with weapons in some jurisdictions, so be careful.

    – Nobody
    Feb 19 at 18:08













  • 1





    I didn't find any, but I think there should exist goggles that can block light sources using a transparent film that can be switched to opaque on a per pixel basis and a camera. Normal night vision goggles don't have that feature as far as I can tell, but they can compensate for the lack of night vision. The latter is categorized with weapons in some jurisdictions, so be careful.

    – Nobody
    Feb 19 at 18:08








1




1





I didn't find any, but I think there should exist goggles that can block light sources using a transparent film that can be switched to opaque on a per pixel basis and a camera. Normal night vision goggles don't have that feature as far as I can tell, but they can compensate for the lack of night vision. The latter is categorized with weapons in some jurisdictions, so be careful.

– Nobody
Feb 19 at 18:08






I didn't find any, but I think there should exist goggles that can block light sources using a transparent film that can be switched to opaque on a per pixel basis and a camera. Normal night vision goggles don't have that feature as far as I can tell, but they can compensate for the lack of night vision. The latter is categorized with weapons in some jurisdictions, so be careful.

– Nobody
Feb 19 at 18:08











3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















7














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


















  • 1





    This is the way car drivers also should drive at night: look on the opposite side of the road than the side incoming traffic is on. You'll see enough, and the incoming light goes to the sides of your eyeball, and doesn't blind the center of it.

    – Olivier Dulac
    Feb 18 at 10:09


















6














  • 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
    Feb 17 at 18:45











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

    – Criggie
    Feb 17 at 19:17











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

    – Criggie
    Feb 17 at 19:18











  • @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
    Feb 17 at 19:35






  • 1





    @AndrewHenle in my experience a light bright enough to ride safely at 15mph IS blinding for oncoming trail traffic. At least here in the USA, bike lights don't have a high cutoff like car headlights, so they're ALL blinding. I've taken to covering my light when there's approaching traffic, but few others do. We need a trail-light-etiquette intervention!

    – jeffB
    Feb 18 at 15:54


















1














Maybe if you use a helmet with a sunshade (I have one), you can tilt your head downwards and sideways to block the car lights while still seeing forward a safe distance.

By the way, I detached the sunshade on my helmet because it rotated too much forward/downward with rucksack and thick clothes in the winter and it cut too much forward visibility.






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    3 Answers
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    3 Answers
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    7














    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


















    • 1





      This is the way car drivers also should drive at night: look on the opposite side of the road than the side incoming traffic is on. You'll see enough, and the incoming light goes to the sides of your eyeball, and doesn't blind the center of it.

      – Olivier Dulac
      Feb 18 at 10:09















    7














    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


















    • 1





      This is the way car drivers also should drive at night: look on the opposite side of the road than the side incoming traffic is on. You'll see enough, and the incoming light goes to the sides of your eyeball, and doesn't blind the center of it.

      – Olivier Dulac
      Feb 18 at 10:09













    7












    7








    7







    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 Feb 17 at 19:33









    Andrew HenleAndrew Henle

    2,258813




    2,258813







    • 1





      This is the way car drivers also should drive at night: look on the opposite side of the road than the side incoming traffic is on. You'll see enough, and the incoming light goes to the sides of your eyeball, and doesn't blind the center of it.

      – Olivier Dulac
      Feb 18 at 10:09












    • 1





      This is the way car drivers also should drive at night: look on the opposite side of the road than the side incoming traffic is on. You'll see enough, and the incoming light goes to the sides of your eyeball, and doesn't blind the center of it.

      – Olivier Dulac
      Feb 18 at 10:09







    1




    1





    This is the way car drivers also should drive at night: look on the opposite side of the road than the side incoming traffic is on. You'll see enough, and the incoming light goes to the sides of your eyeball, and doesn't blind the center of it.

    – Olivier Dulac
    Feb 18 at 10:09





    This is the way car drivers also should drive at night: look on the opposite side of the road than the side incoming traffic is on. You'll see enough, and the incoming light goes to the sides of your eyeball, and doesn't blind the center of it.

    – Olivier Dulac
    Feb 18 at 10:09











    6














    • 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
      Feb 17 at 18:45











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

      – Criggie
      Feb 17 at 19:17











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

      – Criggie
      Feb 17 at 19:18











    • @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
      Feb 17 at 19:35






    • 1





      @AndrewHenle in my experience a light bright enough to ride safely at 15mph IS blinding for oncoming trail traffic. At least here in the USA, bike lights don't have a high cutoff like car headlights, so they're ALL blinding. I've taken to covering my light when there's approaching traffic, but few others do. We need a trail-light-etiquette intervention!

      – jeffB
      Feb 18 at 15:54















    6














    • 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
      Feb 17 at 18:45











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

      – Criggie
      Feb 17 at 19:17











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

      – Criggie
      Feb 17 at 19:18











    • @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
      Feb 17 at 19:35






    • 1





      @AndrewHenle in my experience a light bright enough to ride safely at 15mph IS blinding for oncoming trail traffic. At least here in the USA, bike lights don't have a high cutoff like car headlights, so they're ALL blinding. I've taken to covering my light when there's approaching traffic, but few others do. We need a trail-light-etiquette intervention!

      – jeffB
      Feb 18 at 15:54













    6












    6








    6







    • 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 Feb 17 at 18:05









    David RicherbyDavid Richerby

    12.6k33464




    12.6k33464












    • “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
      Feb 17 at 18:45











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

      – Criggie
      Feb 17 at 19:17











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

      – Criggie
      Feb 17 at 19:18











    • @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
      Feb 17 at 19:35






    • 1





      @AndrewHenle in my experience a light bright enough to ride safely at 15mph IS blinding for oncoming trail traffic. At least here in the USA, bike lights don't have a high cutoff like car headlights, so they're ALL blinding. I've taken to covering my light when there's approaching traffic, but few others do. We need a trail-light-etiquette intervention!

      – jeffB
      Feb 18 at 15:54

















    • “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
      Feb 17 at 18:45











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

      – Criggie
      Feb 17 at 19:17











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

      – Criggie
      Feb 17 at 19:18











    • @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
      Feb 17 at 19:35






    • 1





      @AndrewHenle in my experience a light bright enough to ride safely at 15mph IS blinding for oncoming trail traffic. At least here in the USA, bike lights don't have a high cutoff like car headlights, so they're ALL blinding. I've taken to covering my light when there's approaching traffic, but few others do. We need a trail-light-etiquette intervention!

      – jeffB
      Feb 18 at 15:54
















    “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
    Feb 17 at 18:45





    “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
    Feb 17 at 18:45













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

    – Criggie
    Feb 17 at 19:17





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

    – Criggie
    Feb 17 at 19:17













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

    – Criggie
    Feb 17 at 19:18





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

    – Criggie
    Feb 17 at 19:18













    @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
    Feb 17 at 19:35





    @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
    Feb 17 at 19:35




    1




    1





    @AndrewHenle in my experience a light bright enough to ride safely at 15mph IS blinding for oncoming trail traffic. At least here in the USA, bike lights don't have a high cutoff like car headlights, so they're ALL blinding. I've taken to covering my light when there's approaching traffic, but few others do. We need a trail-light-etiquette intervention!

    – jeffB
    Feb 18 at 15:54





    @AndrewHenle in my experience a light bright enough to ride safely at 15mph IS blinding for oncoming trail traffic. At least here in the USA, bike lights don't have a high cutoff like car headlights, so they're ALL blinding. I've taken to covering my light when there's approaching traffic, but few others do. We need a trail-light-etiquette intervention!

    – jeffB
    Feb 18 at 15:54











    1














    Maybe if you use a helmet with a sunshade (I have one), you can tilt your head downwards and sideways to block the car lights while still seeing forward a safe distance.

    By the way, I detached the sunshade on my helmet because it rotated too much forward/downward with rucksack and thick clothes in the winter and it cut too much forward visibility.






    share|improve this answer



























      1














      Maybe if you use a helmet with a sunshade (I have one), you can tilt your head downwards and sideways to block the car lights while still seeing forward a safe distance.

      By the way, I detached the sunshade on my helmet because it rotated too much forward/downward with rucksack and thick clothes in the winter and it cut too much forward visibility.






      share|improve this answer

























        1












        1








        1







        Maybe if you use a helmet with a sunshade (I have one), you can tilt your head downwards and sideways to block the car lights while still seeing forward a safe distance.

        By the way, I detached the sunshade on my helmet because it rotated too much forward/downward with rucksack and thick clothes in the winter and it cut too much forward visibility.






        share|improve this answer













        Maybe if you use a helmet with a sunshade (I have one), you can tilt your head downwards and sideways to block the car lights while still seeing forward a safe distance.

        By the way, I detached the sunshade on my helmet because it rotated too much forward/downward with rucksack and thick clothes in the winter and it cut too much forward visibility.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered Feb 18 at 15:28









        Calin CeterasCalin Ceteras

        1674




        1674



























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