Bright ideas for lighting the way on the bike

[MollyJ]

How do you light your bike?

Front lights, rear lights and lights on the helmet.

Now talk about a dazzling and baffling array of products.

It took me _Forever_ to work up my nerve to ride on the road because in one summer when I worked in the ED I took care of two car-bike fatalities. One I vividly remember.

And then I read the book _Over my Head_ a really good book about a woman's rehab post head injury. She was riding a bike, too. Life changing event for her.

So this is a very important question.

Step right up and tell me your thoughts.

[radacrider]

I believe there are some good threads here on what lights different people use.

I use:
Headlight = Busch & Muller, IXON-IQ, very bright for being seen and for seeing
Tail Light = DiNotte 120R, very bright, set to pulse/steady mode. I get comments on this all the time.
Wheels = I have Lightweights for Wheels on my spokes.

If I use my panniers, the Ortlieb's have big reflective patches. My clothing has reflective strips and patches. If I'm feeling overly non-visible, I also sometimes where a runner's reflective harness - bright yellow with reflective stripes.

Much will depend on your budget and your type of riding.

Good luck with your search.

[redrhodie]

I think you're right to be concerned about riding in the dark. It requires a lot of focus, in addition to lots of lights and reflectors. You can't let your guard down for a second. The thing that concerns me as much as visibility to traffic, is hidden ruts or rocks in the road. Easy to take a header when you least expect it. That said, it can be a really Zen experience, when it becomes you chasing that beam of light. It's pretty cool.

I use a helmet with an integrated system that has a headlight, and 3 tail lights. I also have a Minewt light for my handlebars, and another red blinky on my seat post. I have reflective strips on all my jackets, and on my tires. The thing I like about the helmet light is that it moves with you, so you're lighting where you're looking. I can then aim the bar light further ahead than I would if that's all I had, which means I can safely ride a little faster.

I don't ever start a ride in the dark, but it might be totally dark by the time I'm done. If I have a mechanical, I'll call for a ride. I'm not going to stand by the side of the road fixing a flat in the dark if there's an alternative. Most of the roads I ride in the dark on are well lit state roads, not winding country roads. It's what I'm comfortable with at this point.

[ny biker]

For headlights, there are two basic kinds: notice-me lights, and brighter lights that enable you to see in the dark.

I generally don't ride in really dark conditions, but often when I ride after work it will be near dark by the time I finish. So I just have some notice-me lights. But they are LED lights so they are very noticeable.

I have a basic Bontrager headlight (6 LED bulbs, I think) with two modes -- blinking and steady. Also a basic Bontrager tail light that can be used blinking or steady.

I also have small head and tail lights (1 LED each) that attach to my helmet with velcro straps.

In addition, I have these reflective ankle straps.

http://www.roadid.com/Common/LearnMore.aspx?PID=10

And I wear a white jersey and/or high-viz vest or jacket.

Years ago I used to go mountain biking at night. I had a helmet headlight for that. If I did lots of nighttime riding I would get another very bright helmet light, because they illuminate what you're looking at, not what the bike is pointed at.

[MollyJ]

As always, you all are helpful and have good advice. Thanks!

[Velocivixen]

I have a NiteRider MiNewt.250 cordless LED bike light with a rechargeable Li-Ion Battery. It has a low-med-high setting or a strobe setting that I use during the day (even when it's sunny) to get people's attention. In the back I have a Planet Bike "Superflash" which makes a crazy random type wild light pattern that is attention grabbing. I don't ride at night much, but even during the day lights (like cars whose running lights come on automatically), I use them. You can never be too careful.

[owlice]

I have (and use, and have given as presents, and like, and get a lot of positive comments on) these (http://www.amazon.com/SKL-03-07-SpokeLit-Safety-Wheels-5-Color/dp/B001TKFZ7S/ref=pd_bxgy_hi_text_c) on my wheels. Sometimes just one on the back wheel, other times two on each wheel.

I have this headlight (http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-3044-1-Watt-Headlight/dp/B0015R1NBW/ref=pd_sim_sg_82) on my bike, this taillight (http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Blinky-Super-Flash/dp/B0046MNMK8/ref=pd_sim_sg_2), this headlight (http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Bicycle-Handlebar-Mounts/dp/B000HTYZUA/ref=pd_sim_sg_97) on my helmet, these (http://www.amazon.com/SLG-03-07-SpotLit-Clip-Anywhere-5-Color/dp/B0016OI52E/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1304405902&sr=1-2) front and back on my bike, and sometimes one of these (http://www.extremeglow.com/Merchant4/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=ELW7&Category_Code=ELW) wrapped around part of the frame.

I also sometimes wear these (http://www.amazon.com/Nathan-Tri-Color-Ankle-Single-Yellow/dp/B000ROCF3E/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1304406204&sr=1-2) on my ankles, and sometimes wear an inexpensive reflective vest similar to this one (http://www.safetydepot.com/EN520C-2-economy-class-2-safety-vest-p/en520c-2.htm). And in my handlebar bag, I have a set of $6 LED lights that strap easily onto things, such as handlebars, just because they were really inexpensive, small, and looked useful. (One white for a headlight, the other red for a taillight.)

I often ask people as I ride around the lake in the full darkness if they saw me coming. They always answer yes (and then laugh, which is why I ask). If I rode more trails at night that I don't know as well as the trails I ride at night, I'd get a brighter/better headlight, but for the riding I do, what I have works well enough.

I'm always surprised at the number of people I see out on the trails -- in the woods, in the dark -- who don't have any lights/reflective anything on them.