Getting Paid to Ride My Bicycle
I have equipped my bike with a very bright xenon/LED combination headlight and a five LED flashing taillight. These provide me enough light to see where I'm going and will hopefully be a sufficient alert to drivers that I am not a speedbump. While the route I take is pretty safe, the one mile stretch on the road my place of employment is located is somewhat dangerous for cycling as it has no shoulder upon which to ride. It's the only section I have any real concerns about.
While state law requires a headlight and taillight as well as reflectors for riding at night, I exceeded the requirements with brighter lights and flashing functions that (hopefully) draw the driver's attention and alert them to my presence a bit quicker.
While at work I have to make a patrol of the facility every couple of hours. When I first attempted to do so on foot I found that my still healing busted hip wouldn't allow it. Just too far to walk all at once. Now that my bike is properly equipped to ride at night I am able to do my patrol easily using it. I can ride around the facility, checking all of the key areas, and return to the gate very quickly if someone requires entrance/exit.
The graveyard shift is pretty boring. There just isn't much going on. Once the facility has shut down the only people remaining are cleaning crews and maintenance people and there isn't very much gate traffic to deal with. In order to relieve boredom I get out and ride my bike around the place. While I am constantly observing conditions and doing my job of keeping an eye on things, it's also fun for me as I enjoy cycling. It's kind of cool to actually be getting paid to ride my bike.
Too many very old a feeble drivers here in Florida. I don't wanna be on the road with someone who's heart decides to stop due to an unexpected air horn. 