Cyclists ride along Frisco Trail between Dickson and Lafayette streets.
Photo: Todd Gill, Flyer staff
We’ve received a couple of requests asking if we’d be willing to remind cyclists to use lights on their bikes when riding on the city’s trail system after dark.
We don’t do a lot of night riding ourselves, but we did spend about a half hour on the Lafayette Street bridge overlooking Frisco Trail last Friday night.
Of the nearly two dozen cyclists that passed by, we only saw two people who weren’t using a light.
Most of those who did have a light were using a standard bike-mounted unit, but several had a light attached to their helmet. One guy was using both.
Matt Mihalevich, the city’s trails coordinator, said he hadn’t received any complaints about cyclists riding without lights, but said people should be cautious when using the trails at night.
“We can’t force anyone to use a light at night on the trails, but we do urge people to make sure and stay on the right side of the path to avoid a collision,” he said.
Obviously, riding without a light is dangerous, especially when approaching tight areas like the turns on Frisco Trail under the railroad tracks near Wilson Park and directly below the Lafayette Street bridge.
Plus, not being able to see the path in front of you could result in a nasty donkey kick if there were some type of debris on the trail.
Anyway, we figured we’d ask if anyone else had noticed any issues lately, and include a poll to see how many people are riding at night and using lights.
Feel free to answer the poll question, “Do you use a bike light at night?” and/or leave a comment below.
Can the police ticket you for not wearing lights on the trail? they can if you are using public streets right? I was’t sure how the law applied.
As far as I know, you can’t be ticketed on the trails, but I do think you’re right about the streets.
Not sure how this poll is going to work since I can only answer for myself. I use a light on the front of my bike and a flashing tail light at night but have seen a lot of people that don’t. I know in the really dark area north of the 540 tunnel I’ve would have had several serious accidents running into people without lights if I didn’t.
a night ride is only fun if it’s a ghost ride, forget the lights
I live near the Mud Creek Trail head and I see lots of cyclists riding at night without lights on Old Missouri Road. I’m a cautious driver, and friendly to cyclists, but I’m afraid there may come a time when one of these nights someone will come out of nowhere on a bike and be right in my path. It has happened before, and it was one of the scariest moments of my life. Fayetteville is a community that is becoming increasingly bike friendly, but it’s not just up to the drivers to keep the roads safe for everyone.
Nice article. If you haven’t ridden at night, it’s definitely worth wearing a light and giving it a shot. It’s kinda like riding for the first time all over again.
Don’t forget to use a red blinky on the back, especially if you ride on the streets. My favorite is the Superflash because it’s so bright.
I know this is off-topic but I need to ask: what code infractions are complaint driven—or which ones are not, if that list is shorter.
Specifically a yard that’s become a little overgrown because the owner is out of town for several weeks. Does someone have to complain in order to get the code enforcement people to issue citations or do they patrol looking for violations? I’ve looked at the relevant city code and on the city website but this issue of what is and isn’t complaint driven doesn’t seem to be mentioned except for noise and too many parked cars.
Most are complaint driven. Usually a notice of violation is given and along with a time frame to solve the problem before a citation is issued. Hope this helps.
These days you can get an LED bike light that is as bright as a halogen light, and it won’t break the bank. Mine has an adapter that allows me to recharge the battery using the USB port on my computer or a wall outlet. Check them out at Highroller Cyclery.
There’s apartments on the trail at multiple locations, and lots of bikes. Most people don’t have bike lights, I rode mine on the trail to university for years without one. So it happens, but I think as long as they act right near intersections and keep the speed down it shouldn’t be a problem.
Its the folks that think they’re Lance Armstrong of the last mile of the tour de France that are the biggest problem with the Bike Trail and Lake Fayetteville (and yes I’m talking about you, little guy with the Brazilian flag speedo). I’ve seen several kids and pets nearly get creamed by bikers weaving through pedestrians at 30mph. If we’re going to enforce biker rules, lets go after those dudes.
Everyone has to behave. Speaking from experience, I’d bet some of those near misses are because pets are on a long leash and all over the trail. We don’t have to go after anyone, just use common sense.
Lol, “long pet leashes” are not a cause/effect factor for bikers riding way too fast. There’s no sense in the mini-pelotons that keep cropping up around the mall/northern trail area and Lake Fayetteville. I know biking is all the fad right now, but if you’re biking for speed, stay off the path and get on the road like the rest of us. Biker mashed himself all up near that back bridge at LakeFay couple weeks ago coming down that hill too fast and having to veer off the trail for pedestrians. If you’re going so fast that you can’t brake before you get to someone, you’re doing it wrong.
That’s not what I said. But that’s fine.
It’s not an issue of number or speed. I’m one rider, mind the speed limit out there, announce my approach and passing, give people a wide berth and still have near misses. Dogs don’t see or hear a bike coming and say “better stay away, that’s a bike!” It’s an owner’s responsibility to make sure the dog is reeled in and can’t torpedo a bike, whether the rider is Lance Armstrong or a Sunday cruiser or just another walker who isn’t crazy about dogs.
I ride a 1990 Huffy Street Rocker. You’ll hear me before you see (or don’t see) me.
Arkansas Code
27-36-220. Lamps on bicycles.
(a) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a lamp on the front exhibiting a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet (500′) to the front and with a lamp on the rear exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet (500′) to the rear.
(b) A red reflector meeting the requirements of § 27-36-215 may be used in lieu of a rear light.
HISTORY: Acts 1937, No. 300, § 110; Pope’s Dig., § 6770; A.S.A. 1947, § 75-708.
i use a black light, does that count har har
Can’t speak as to trail users, but most of the cyclists I see riding in the west Wedington area at dark do not use lights or reflective clothing.