Cycling at Night
By Trevon Munroe
Riding at night can be very different from day time riding in many ways. There are adjustments you will need to make in order to ensure your safety and that you are following the rules of the road in the country where you are living. I have experienced this first hand a few years ago whilst I was biking home from classes. It was about 7pm in the evening and I was riding my mountain bike without any sort of lights, and as I was about to ride past a police station there was an officer on the road and he signaled me to stop. This was my first encounter with the law while using the road. The officer was lenient with me since I told him I was going home from classes and he suggested that I always ride with lights and that I should be careful where to ride at nights.
To prevent you from having to experience such a similar encounter (which could turn out worse) and for your safety, here are some basic tips for biking at night, whether you are just running some errands, leaving work or going home from classes:
Lights, lights, lights – Ensure your bike is equipped with a pair of lights. Keeping your cycle well lit will help other road users on the road to see you during the night and this will help to prevent accidents or collisions. In addition, your lights will help you to see obstacles along your path on the road ways (for example, potholes).
Reflectors – The bare minimum I recommend is having reflectors between your bicycle spokes on the wheel with front and rear reflectors (one on the handle bar and one below the seat pole). Like your lights, reflectors help other road users to see you coming. When a motor vehicle�s light hits your reflector, it reflects or lights up in a way that they cannot miss you, thus further ensuring your safety at night.
Clothing – Whilst riding at night, it is a good idea to not be wearing black clothes or dark colored clothing. Wear something bright, preferably white at all times as this will also help other road users to see you in the dark. This is a general rule that not only applies to cyclists but also is advised to pedestrians on the roadways at night.
Be alert and vigilant – The most important thing you can do, in my opinion, is to be vigilant and on the lookout whilst riding at night. Be on the lookout for pedestrians who may wander on the roadways and also for motor vehicles. I would further advise that you choose safe routes for biking after dark because you may be taking all the necessary precautions but there will always be reckless drivers on the road. Also, do not ride in places that are known to be dangerous at night or places that are too lonely. If possible, find a friend to go biking with at night.
That is my list of things you should do to prepare when riding at night. Follow these tips and have a much safer biking experience when riding at night.
Read here for more information on essential bike accessories. Visit my website at Mountain Bicycle World for more tips on bicycles.
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