Many bicycle accidents happen during dusk or at night, due to rush hour traffic and poor overall visibility. Riding your bike at night is dangerous and riding without proper safety gear will increase your risk of injury and accidents. For many bicycle commuters, biking at night is unavoidable. Avoid injury and accidents by staying safe, visible and following the rules of the road.
Lights and Reflectors
Lights come in many shapes and forms, from flashing halogen front lights to rear tail lights with turn signals. Headlights are excellent for seeing where you are going, but they are not good indicators to let drivers know where you are. Taillights have two different settings, constant or strobe. Reflectors come in many shapes, sizes and colors. Reflective vests, stickers for your clothes, armbands, flags, glow gloves and even fiber optic clothing are available. Never rely on the reflectors that come standard with your bike. Some manufactures still use black frames around the reflector, which decreases their visibility from the side. Always have optimal lighting for front and tail lights, turn signals and headlights, along with reflectors.
Be Visible
You must be visible to oncoming traffic as well as traffic coming from behind. Oncoming traffic has difficulty seeing small headlights, and with some of the new car halogen headlights, they are almost invisible. Bicycle headlights primarily function to put light on the road, not as safety lighting. Reflective vests and helmet stickers will give you the greatest visibility from the front, side and rear. Reflective vests are highly visible due to their size and your body placement when on your bike. Use a taillight that has the flashing option and a reflective border. Some new models have lights making you visible from the side. Reflective wrist and ankle bracelets give the added advantage of being visible from the side.
Follow Basic Road Rules
Always travel in the same direction of traffic and stay a yard away from curbs and parked cars. Watch for sewer grates, which can throw you over your handlebars. Give the right of way to pedestrians. Use hand signals when turning or stopping. Look down the road for hazards. Bicycles blend into the environment, so always assume you are hard to see. Use bike paths when available. If you are riding on the road, check with your local department of motor vehicles for bicycle safety laws in your area.
Urban and Rural
Urban riding requires a heightened state of awareness. Watch for traffic and pedestrians, which can appear quickly. Watch your speed and make sure you have enough time to stop. Vehicles coming out of garages and hidden alleys have blind spots. There are many distractions for city driver's, and you are a small part of a much larger environment. Stay safe by being aware of your surroundings. In rural areas, car speeds increase and as they crest hills you are less visible. Always let someone know where you are going and when you plan on arriving, especially when riding on remote country roads.
General Safety
Do not let children ride at night. They lack experience, and due to their size are less visible than adults. Use a familiar predetermined route. Always wear a helmet. Overdue it, add extra reflectors when possible.
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