Bright ideas for lighting the way on the bike

[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 on my wheels. Sometimes just one on the back wheel, other times two on each wheel.

I have this headlight on my bike, this taillight, this headlight on my helmet, these front and back on my bike, and sometimes one of these wrapped around part of the frame.

I also sometimes wear these on my ankles, and sometimes wear an inexpensive reflective vest similar to this one. 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.