[5555624]

More often than not, they're not mounted correctly. When it comes to headlights, too many cyclists (most?) do not think of their bike as a vehicle. The headlight should be a solid light and the light beam should not be parallel to the ground. the primary purpose of your headlight is there to help you see where you're going. If it's not, you don't really ride in the dark. As with any other vehicle, being seen is a secondary reason for lights.

I've been commuting by bike, year-round, for 17 years. While my commute home may require lights, my morning commute requires them. (It's at 3:00 a.m. and some stretches have no lights.) If my headlight was parallel to the ground, it would not let me see where I am going. Oh, it will show a person or vehicle, but it won't let me see the road. It's aimed at a spot X feet in front of me, enabling me to see debris on the road, as well as anything huge.

Properly aimed or not, a headlight is only going to let a motorist (or anyone) see you if they are coming towards you. I can see them coming, too. A good reflective vest and secondary lights (helmet, side, etc.) is necessary to let people see you from behind or the side. (The vest is useless if the car is running without its headlights on, which has happened to me a few times in the morning.)

[frabbit]

> the primary purpose of your headlight is there to help you see where you're going.

Sorry. Didn't see you.

[5555624]

If you were coming towards me, why were you in the wrong lane? If you were drunk or not paying attention, seeing me probably wouldn't make a difference.

If you were coming from behind me, you wouldn't have seen my headlight, anyway. That's why I have a taillight and a reflective vest.