Serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis. © James Conner.

 

18 August 2014

Riding in twilight: a bicyclist dies in Whitefish

Bicyclist Jared Frederick Kinney died when a sport utility vehicle struck him in the deepening gloaming in Whitefish at approximately 2130 MDT on Thursday, 14 August. He was 28 years old, and had just moved to Whitefish from Wayland, NY.

Kinney may not have been riding in the safest manner possible, reports the Daily InterLake:

According to a news release from the Whitefish Police Department, evidence at the scene indicated the bicyclist may have been riding against traffic and had no headlight or taillight on his bike.

The color and reflectivity of his clothing were not reported in the InterLake’s story, and so far as I can determine, the Whitefish Police Department’s press release is not available online.

Riding against traffic speaks for itself. Not having a headlight is covered by Section 61-9-201 of the Montana Code Annotated:

61-9-201. When lighted lamps are required. Every vehicle upon a highway within this state at any time from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise and at any other time when due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 500 feet ahead shall display lighted lamps and illuminating devices as hereinafter respectively required for different classes of vehicles, subject to exceptions with respect to parked vehicles.

As calculated by the U.S. Naval Observatory’s Multiyear Interactive Computer Almanac, the sun set in Whitefish at 2053 MDT, northwest of west. Switched-on headlights would have been required beginning at 2123 MDT, five minutes before the end of civil twilight. That time of sunset assumes a flat horizon. Because there are hills west of Whitefish, the sun might have set sooner. Determining the exact time of local sunset that evening would require on-the-ground measurements and calculations by an expert. According to the National Weather Service, the sky was clear, so natural illumination was at its maximum. But nautical twilight had begun when the accident occurred; night was closing in quickly.

Using MICA, I calculated the position of the Sun in 15-minute intervals for Whitefish for 14 August. You can download the spreadsheet. I also plotted, in the chart below, the altitude of the Sun from just before sunset through the beginning of nautical twilight, providing partial descriptions of twilight that were prepared by the Naval Observatory.

Bicycle riders and pedestrians, especially younger ones, often are not aware that it’s much easier for them to see than to be seen. I enjoy walking at twilight, especially in summer. Even after darkness falls and the stars are bright, I can usually see where I’m going without a flashlight. One’s eyes adjust. Even older eyes, like mine. But long before civil twilight ends, drivers in trucks and automobiles have trouble seeing people riding bicycles and walking.

I no longer ride my bicycle after sunset. It’s just too dangerous. When I’m walking after sunset, almost always on sidewalks, I wear white clothing and a white baseball cap, and carry several powerful lights, usually two LED flashlights, and a flashing bicycle taillight that’s visible for at least 1,000 feet.

There are technology fixes for visibility. Bicyclists who ride after sunset should wear highly visible reflective clothing, and equip their bicycles with lights powerful enough for motorcycles. That costs some money and adds some weight, but it makes the bicycle visible to motorists at a distance that allows motorists time to slow down and avoid a crash.

But there’s no technology fix for riding against traffic or blasting through stop signs and stoplights. That kind of dimness is controlled by the brain.