While safety is always an important consideration for bicycle riding at all times of day, considering safety while riding at night is of the utmost importance. In addition to basic safety precautions, such as wearing a bicycle helmet at all times, a person must also make considerations for visibility when riding at night.
Lights
Night bicycle riding requires lights both in the front and back of the bicycle. For the front of the bicycle, this means an electric headlight--a reflector is not enough, according to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute. When it comes to headlights, the larger the better and check to see if the light is working before embarking on a ride. Some states have specific rules regarding how far the bicycle headlight must project, according to Night-Gear. For example, California, Georgia, Iowa, New Hampshire, North Carolina and South Dakota require a bicycle light be visible 300 feet away or more.
For the back portion of your bicycle, you should use a blinking light that affixes below the bicycle seat. Not only does the blinking light make you more visible to cars, it also helps drivers identify you as a cyclist.
Reflective Apparel
When cycling at night, simply wearing bright clothing will not be enough to make you visible to drivers. Instead, you should wear reflective clothing, which is designed to reflect to driver's eyes as they approach you. An example of reflective clothing that can be worn is a reflective vest, which features several strips of reflective tape on the back and the front. You can also incorporate reflective gear or utilize electrical tape. This can even extend to the backs of your shoes and on your wheels.
Bicycle Helmet
If a crash or collision does occur, a bicycle helmet can protect against head injuries. If you frequently cycle at night, you may wish to place reflective tape on the back and front of the helmet as well. The helmet should never have been involved in a crash and should be of a bright or white color. The strap should securely fit under the chin, and the helmet itself should not wiggle back and forth on your head.
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