Reflections on my first darkness “commute”

[Eden]

For the past couple of years I've gathered with some of the local bike club folks and we've done a night gear test - light and reflectors, what is effective and what isn't.

Some of the things we've found

Do not rely on brightly colored clothing - even your screaming neon yellow jacket becomes invisible at dusk.

You need *both* lights and reflectors. Lights are most effective when it is the darkest. Reflectors work well when there are cars around, whose headlights might be drowning out your lights.

Moving lights and reflectors are very eye catching. Put them on things that turn - like your wheels and things that move up and down - your legs.

Reflective sidewalls are very cool - until they get dirty and then they don't reflect much any more, so keep them clean.

Most cyclists are most invisible from the side - we pretty much all had front and rear lights, but cars on side streets may not see you if you don't have a light that shines to the side. (like a down low glow or valve stem lights).

The Dinotte tail light is like a miniature sun......

My personal set up is:
a Minewt on my handlebars
a red flasher/reflector combo on my messenger bag (I should get another for my bike - this one is now on my bag because the clip broke)
an LED flashlight rubber banded to my helmet (this one is for pointing at drivers and extra light when its really dark. I chose an LED flashlight instead of a bike specific light because it is very small and very light)
a white Knog on my front messenger bag strap (I lost the red one that used to be on the back )
valve stem lights - these are *very* noticeable, probably the best light I have for sheer what's that factor - mine are green.
a band of reflective ribbon on my messenger bag strap. (the other folks at the night light test said this was very effective)
a band of reflective ribbon on the bottom of my messenger bag
reflective leg bands
reflective heels on my shoes (I have winter Sidis) - and my new tights have reflective piping on the back of the legs.
I used to have some 3m reflective stickers on my fender/flap too - but the fender broke and I had to replace it. I don't think I've put more on since then.

[Eden]

oh and btw - keep your lights consistent with other traffic. Don't put a red flasher pointing to the front of your bike.... you appear to be going the opposite direction that you really are. This can be really freaky if you are on a MUT and suddenly you realize someone who you thought was going away from you is actually coming towards you...

White light towards the front, red/amber lights to the rear
have fun with your side lights, they can be most any color except.....
Some states (like this one) specify *no* flashing blue lights - these are reserved for the exclusive use of police