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When Riding a Bicycle at Night: Important Safety Measures


Written by Gary Johnson / Fact checked by Henry Speciale

when riding a bicycle at night

Venturing out at night is always a risky endeavor, whether you’re doing it on foot or using vehicles such as a car or a bicycle. In this case, what precautions do we need to take when riding a bicycle at night?

Aside from the standard protection for cyclists, we also need several more things to be able to ride at night safely. These include lights for viewing the road and reflectors for letting others see us.

Let’s look at what should you always have to be able to focus on the joys of biking at night.

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Considerations for Night Riding

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Going out at night has a certain appeal to it for varying reasons, and it’s easy to find people who enjoy its benefits, even in online communities such as Reddit.

In the same vein as walking, jogging, or driving, there is something different about cycling at night.

However, nighttime activities are dangerous because of many things; chief among them is the lack of visibility that deprives us of our ability to avoid hazards.

Because night cycling is proven to be a big risk, it’s important to take appropriate measures that will improve our chances of getting through the darkness in one piece.

Below are several important considerations to make before venturing out at night on your bicycle.

1. Have appropriate lighting

You will need ample lighting for riding at night, but the right light changes depending on the path you’re traversing.

Off-road cycling requires powerful beams that can illuminate the path, while city roads with street lamps only require bicycle lighting for added visibility.

400 to 800 lumens is the recommended brightness for off-road rides. If that sounds troublesome, unfortunately, it’s not your choice to make.

In some countries and US states, It is required by law to use a headlight and rear light. In California, this is extended to include reflectors as a rear option. The law specifically states the need to have all of the following when operating a bike at night:

  • White light for illuminating the bike path that must reach 300 feet
  • Red rear light or reflector visible up to 500 feet
  • White or yellow reflector for each foot or pedal visible in the front and the rear
  • Reflectors for the bicycle’s sides, except if the tires also have reflectors

Some people opt to use helmet lights instead, but some places have laws explicitly stating where the front and rear lights need to be located.

The UK is one such place, where a light must be attached to the front and the rear of a bike. A red reflector must be installed at the rear before it is sold in a store.

2. Use reflectors

While the use of lights and reflectors on a bike has been established as a necessity, it is also important to have reflective wearables on your person to increase visibility.

According to various studies, the use of a reflective vest along with reflectors on different parts of the body greatly increased visibility in the dark.

The findings state that human motion or an elliptical movement of pedaling is a major factor in recognizability. Attaching reflectors to these points of motion allows others on the road to identify us from farther distances.

3. Be mindful of path visibility

Regardless of how much lighting you have or how much reflective material is on you, lighting on the road you’re traversing is an important detail.

This is because of two things. First, you won’t get anywhere close to the brightness of daytime without path illumination.

The other reason is because of how difficult it is to see a person biking in the dark. Even with your lights and reflectors, you want to increase your visibility even more, and an illuminated road is better for this compared to one shrouded in darkness.

Take a detour if necessary, but what’s important is to avoid paths that are covered in total darkness.

4. Bring extra lighting

Even when your bike has been fitted with all the required attachments, it still helps to go the extra mile. As stated above, helmet lights are useful, but they cannot take the place of front bike lights. Why not have both?

In case of an emergency or a need for repair, a helmet light will allow you to work with proper lighting and still allow the use of both hands.

It also helps to have lighting that you can direct where you’d like as opposed to one mounted on the bike frame, which you have limited control over.

People who frequently go on night bicycle rides may also benefit from having dynamo-powered lights to be able to maintain power as long as the bike is in motion.

5. Wear ample clothing

It is colder at night — this is not anything new. However, it can be easy to underestimate just how chilly it can get, especially if you feel like the temperature during the day is quite warm.

It is better to dress warmly and bring clothing articles for the wind and rain. A windbreaker or raincoat are good items to have in your pack just in case.

6. Apply more caution

Every cyclist will have heard of how cycling can be dangerous due to incidences of road accidents. This is an important fact that we should always keep in mind.

Biking at night, however, can be even more dangerous, and we should adjust our behavior accordingly.

Proceed more slowly and carefully at nighttime, and try not to be in a hurry. If the path is too dark, don’t take the risk and take a detour if at all possible.

It is also a good idea to maintain more distance between yourself and others as the darkness may distort your sense of space. Give yourself and others more time to react in case of an emergency.

Whatever the circumstance, biking at night is dangerous, whether you’re used to it or not. Keeping this point in mind will help keep everyone safe.

7. Let others know about your night bike ride

Before setting out, tell someone else about your plan to head out at night. This is a measure for if something happens during your ride and you’re unable to return by yourself. Tell them about your route as well if you can.

Frequently Asked Questions

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1. Are bicycle lights required during daytime when visibility is low?

It is not legally required for bikes to have lights on during the day when visibility is low, but it can help you see better, so it’s a good idea to still use them.

2. How do I avoid inconveniencing others with my light?

Turn down the light when riding in partially lit areas. If you’re using lights intended for road bikes, most will already have measures for avoiding flashing others on the road, such as cut-off or shaped beam patterns.

Consider switching to one that has such light patterns if yours doesn’t already have it.

Conclusion

Now, you have a better idea of the important considerations to make when riding a bicycle at night. Biking during late hours is something that we just need to do sometimes, and the above safety measures will help keep us safe.

Do you have any late night cycling experiences to share? If you have comments, suggestions, or even biking advice to share with others, please leave a message in the section below. We’ll be waiting to hear from you.

Always ride safely.

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