Daytime Lights in Montana

[Ty0604]

On my Transamerica ride I felt like Montana was the most dangerous state I rode in all things considered. I don’t really like the idea of them legislating this at all but maybe they know their drivers aren’t careful.

That's surprising to me and I'm sorry you felt that way! Of the 46 states I've ridden across on bicycle, Montana (which I've ridden through 3 times) is in my top 5 of safest.

Otherwise, I always ride with a taillight during the day unless I'm on a MUP. I rarely ride with a front light except in foggy or rainy weather. I would be against high visibility colors though. Most of my bike shirts are white, blue or even black. My bike is plenty visible IMO.

Yes that's just how it was for me on my one experience there.  So there you go, it's gotta happen somewhere. By the way, what is MUP?

I also use a rear light always, and only use a front light periodically similar to your description.  My personal experience was when riding through Yellowstone and into the Grand Tetons I teamed up and rode with a British guy who was on an around the world tour.  He had a very bright tail light and I had one of the little Blinky things.  Anyway as we entered the Grand Tetons a guy flagged us down and I thought he was a former bicycle tourist and wanted to chat about our ride however what he wanted was to tell the guy I was riding with how much he appreciated his bright tail light.  He said he could see it way before mine and it caught his attention in the middle of viewing the scenery.  It was a good enough testimonial for me and afterwards I bought a bright tail light that I always use.

This is a bit off topic but this past fall I purchased one of the Garmin Varia radar tail-lights and I completely love it.  I have tried over the years to use various rearview mirrors - on the helmet and glasses and handlebars - and for some reason they have bothered me so much that I gave up using a mirror.  But, the Varia - for me - it just works.  In the few months I have used it, it has never missed a car.  If I look down at my computer readout it tells me if a car is behind me and how far back it is.  Anyway like I said "off topic."  but my Varia is a combination radar and bright tail-light so it reminded me while I was typing.

MUP = Multi-Use Path... i.e. Paths used by bicyclist, runners, walkers

I use the Bontrager RT light series and have them paired with my Garmin Edge 1030. They don't notify me of oncoming cars but they do adjust automatically based on the visibility. I use the Ortlieb Ultralight bike mirror available on the ACA website. It's the only mirror I'm comfortable using.

For me, New Mexico was the worst state I've ever ridden in followed by Oregon (where I lived for 6 years).

[hikerjer]

" Montana (which I've ridden through 3 times) is in my top 5 of safest.

I live in Montana and therefore, obviously ride there all the time. I've ridden across the country and up and down the west coast and don't find Montana any worse or any better than most other states. If we do want to rate them, from personal experience, I would rate the southeast states as the worst to ride in.  Florida tops the list as worst, IMO. As for the best, I fond Kansas to be incredibly pleasant to ride through, barring the wind, of course. California was good as well.
 

[Ty0604]

" Montana (which I've ridden through 3 times) is in my top 5 of safest.

I live in Montana and therefore, obviously ride there all the time. I've ridden across the country and up and down the west coast and don't find Montana any worse or any better than most other states. If we do want to rate them, from persona lexperience, I would rate the southeast states as the worst to ride in.  Florida tops the list as worst, IMO. As for the best, I fond Kansas to be incredibly pleasant to ride through, barring the wind, of course. California was good as well.

Outside of Tallahassee (which was a total crapshoot to ride through) I found Florida very pleasant. Nice roads, courteous drivers etc!

We’ll be back in Montana this June! Touring around Glacier and then riding the Pioneers from Darby ➡️ Wisdom ➡️ Polaris ➡️ Wise River ➡️ Philipsburg

Otherwise, my top states would be Montana, Washington and Vermont. Bottom would be Oregon, New Mexico and Illinois.

[hikerjer]

I suppose everyone's experience is different. Much depends on the particular drivers you're dealing with at the time, the type of road you're on, etc. There are no absolutes.

Very nice route through Montana. Don't miss the hot spirngs at Polaris (Elkhorn Hot Springs).  A bit dated but very much worth stopping. Kind of a throwback to another era. Lots of fun though and relatively inexpensive. The lodge, while a bit run down and hardly five stars is very homey and comfortable.  Bannack State Park is well worth the stop if you can work it in.

[Ty0604]

I suppose everyone's experience is different. Much depends on the particular drivers you're dealing with at the time, the type of road you're on, etc. There are no absolutes.

Well said Those two and weather are the biggest factors I take into account.

[adventurepdx]

Welcome to the next wave of big government.

The irony of course is that most (most, not all) of the proposed laws like this come from those who claim to be about limited government.

[adventurepdx]

Otherwise, my top states would be Montana, Washington and Vermont. Bottom would be Oregon, New Mexico and Illinois.

Out of curiosity, what puts Oregon on the bottom of your list?

[Nyimbo]

Yeah, just like several of you were surprised about my Montana comment I was surprised by Oregon since I had such a wonderful time crossing Oregon

[staehpj1]

Yeah, just like several of you were surprised about my Montana comment I was surprised by Oregon since I had such a wonderful time crossing Oregon

Yeah, several worst states were my favorites to ride in on some of my tours (I loved Oregon and New Mexico).  My observation is that for me most often it is a particular road and not the area that I mind and even there I typically sometimes disagree with common knowledge.  I know that for example on the ST there was a section of highway that I was warned against riding that was supposed to be terrible that I didn't mind at all.  I have found that fairly often in other places as well.

[jamawani]

To return to the issue at hand -

Montana has had legislation like this in the last few sessions.
Almost always proposed by reactionary non-cyclists -
whose only real purpose is to get bicycles off the public roads.
(Of course, hidden behind supposed concern for safety.)

The sponsor and any co-sponsors need to be questioned as to motive.
The history of anti-cycling legislation needs to be addressed.
And the impact on cycling tourism needs to be made clear.

[staehpj1]

The sponsor and any co-sponsors need to be questioned as to motive.
The history of anti-cycling legislation needs to be addressed.
And the impact on cycling tourism needs to be made clear.

When I wrote to all of the legislators I got a "So you don't want to safely ride on Montana roads" reply.  When I mentioned that I didn't think that the measures proposed were a requirement for safe cycling and that they might discourage me from visiting and spending my touring dollars there I got a "good riddance, one less hazard on our roads" message.  I did get a nice email from another legislator apologizing for the rudeness of her colleagues.  We had a pleasant exchange of a few emails on the topic.

It seems pretty clear to me that as you point out the idea isn't to promote safe cycling, but to discourage cycling.

[TCS]

Adventure Cycling is headquartered in Missoula, Montana.  Raise your hand if you know why this out-of-the way place with long, snowy winters was chosen as a home base for a cycletouring organization.   

Should AC move to a state where the legislature doesn't hate cyclists?

[TCS]

...this past fall I purchased one of the Garmin Varia radar tail-lights and I completely love it.

After a thread on Bike Forums full of enthusiastic, glowing recommendations for the Varia this past fall, I asked Santa for one.  Santa said I hadn't been nearly good enough for a $400 tail light.  Sigh.  Apparently, I wasn't a total reprobate during 2020, though, because I found a fresh 9V battery for my Belt Beacon in my stocking.

On a more serious note, what's our resident cyclinglawyers' take on the Montana bill?  Flashing lights meet the requirements, or must they burn solid?

[Pat Lamb]

When I wrote to all of the legislators I got a "So you don't want to safely ride on Montana roads" reply.  When I mentioned that I didn't think that the measures proposed were a requirement for safe cycling and that they might discourage me from visiting and spending my touring dollars there I got a "good riddance, one less hazard on our roads" message.  I did get a nice email from another legislator apologizing for the rudeness of her colleagues.  We had a pleasant exchange of a few emails on the topic.

It seems pretty clear to me that as you point out the idea isn't to promote safe cycling, but to discourage cycling.

May I suggest hitting these legislators where it hurts?  Skip writing the cretins, and instead email the chambers of commerce or BBB in their hometowns.  Be sure to mention how much you've spent on your most expensive bike tour.  (No need to tell them how much you spent in their district!)

[staehpj1]

May I suggest hitting these legislators where it hurts?  Skip writing the cretins, and instead email the chambers of commerce or BBB in their hometowns.  Be sure to mention how much you've spent on your most expensive bike tour.  (No need to tell them how much you spent in their district!)

EarlierI tried contacting their tourism folks, but the email address on their page bounced