For bike commuters, the right lights can mean the difference between safe riding and almost-certain doom. You need to see and be seen to avoid crashing into things or having them crash into you. You also need to know that your light will stay lit over many hours of use. A wealth of well-designed lights can serve your needs and keep your ride to and from work safe.
Lights To Help You Be Seen
In urban areas, you're more likely to be riding by streetlight. You can see easily, but passing drivers may not be able to see you. That's where LED lights come in. They're small and lightweight, usually very cheap and designed to mount to your handlebars and seat post. In many areas, they're also required by law. Look for a light that has a blink setting: flashing lights are the best way to get motorists' attention. This is especially important with your rear light. Get the brightest red light you can afford and mount it to your seatpost, then never leave home without turning it on.
Lights To Help You See
While blinking LEDs can help motorists spot you, they can't always illuminate the road ahead. If you live in an area with poorly-lit streets or lots of debris in the roads, you'll need a bright headlamp or front light. These tend to be more expensive, and may use halogen or high-powered LED bulbs. You can mount a light on your handlebars or on your helmet, depending on your personal preference. Bike blog "Coming Thru" recommends lights with 200 to 400 lumens for night commuting in lower-visibility areas.
Long-Lasting Lights
When choosing bike lights, always weigh brightness against battery life. Your bright headlamp will do you no good once its batteries are dead. LEDs are the best choice for both brightness and power use. Bike writer Richard Masoner recommends a 170 lumen LED light, which is about as bright as a 10 watt halogen but with considerably less power drain. Avoid xenon strobes unless you use rechargeable batteries or are willing to carry spares.
Other Considerations
"Bicycling Life" recommends using a detachable light, or carrying a small flashlight: if you get a flat tire and need to do repairs at night, you'll be thankful for a light you can reposition. You should also consider bike lights that can be recharged once you get home. They're more expensive up front, but can save you money and hassle by not requiring extra batteries.
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