Cycling in the Dark in the Mornings

I ride with lights front and back.  I use them as much for seeing as I use them for being seen.  That last part is maybe even more important than the first part.

I ride in the dark ALL the time.  Definitely get the rear lights that blink and are about $10-12 at your LBS.  And I recommend the Nite-Sol helmet lights.   I like the helmet lights b/c you can change your view easier and they seem to shine further.  The batteries last forever, too. 

I ride with 2 of these in the front (although 1 would do the trick). http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-3044-1-Watt-Headlight/dp/B0015R1N... also have the blinkers in the back.Most of my rides are at 5:00AM so I'm in the dark most of the time. I stick to a route that I know on fairly well lit streets. I don't venture off into the back roads...

I bike commute during parts of the year, usually when dark.  I have a strong Fenix flashlight (not bike specific) which gives incredible front lighting, two Superflashes on the back (both flashing just in case one goes out), and a couple of spoke lights which help with side visibility.  I can switch all this to my tri bike in just a few minutes. 

I use a couple of ankle band reflectors, and should probable use some reflectorized clothing or reflectorized tape on my helmet. 

Lots of good info on the electronics section of www.bikeforums.net.

Brian

I often cycle in the dark sometimes between 1:00 and 4:00am on a pitch black country roads I hihgly suggest these products, My wife and I both have them and they work awesome.

Night rider Minewt head light
and this
http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3034.htmlfor tail light

I ride year round. For dark riding you want both active and passive (reflective) light sources.

For my head light I use a Light n Motion 200L. It's 200 Lumens, has several modes of which I use full bright or flashing.
Tail light is a Planet Bike unit, super bright and easy on batteries.
I wear a reflective bandoleer style reflective vest (it's just straps) and ankle reflector straps.

No matter how bright your headlight is you'll want more on a dark and wet day and car headlights will wash it out. The reflectors are key because car headlights don't wash them out. Bikers tend to not have any sideways lighting, so keep that in mind when crossing intersections, a car approaching you at a right angle may not see your lights or reflectors at all.

The Commute forum over at bikeforums will give you an excess of info:
http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=20

Hello

I use a front headlight & rear flashing light and  I wear a reflective vest. 

Plus I just ride loops around the neighborhood so I know the road.  It is easy to see the cars a long way off but you have watch out for runners, other bikes with no lights (scary), people walking dogs.

I do enjoy getting in a quick ride in the morning.

Kevin

In dark- headlight and tail light are required (by law in many areas).
Front- I light the DiNotte AA rechargeable set-up x 2 (handlebar + helmet)
Rear- Planet Bike Superflash.

I do my pre-dawn riding on a multi-use trail.  It's about .75 miles on the road to get there.  I've got a rear blinker and a cheap front light that is more to be seen than for me to see.  I started at 6:15 am on Saturday with a 6:53 am sunrise.  With this setup, I wouldn't want to do much more than that in the dark, but it's enough to get a head start on daylight.

2X on the NiteRider Minewt Head Light. and the Plantbike tail lights. I commute fall and winter on dark country roads. I use a NiteRider on my handle bars and another mounted on my helmet. Works great. No issues seeing the road and I sure can be seen. I use two Planetbike tail lites. One mounted on my bike seat bag and another mounted on the back of my helmet. Been riding in the dark for 5 years with no issues. Actually I feel safer at night then during the day in regards to drivers seeing me. During the day they seem more distracted. I have had cars pull out in front of me during the day many times, but never at night. I guess I am easier to spot using the bright lights at night .

Edited by browncd 2009-09-21 4:00 PM

good topic

this is probably the first time in my life i am hating the fact that its still dark at 6:45 am.

i bought a trainer, but still love getting out there in the morning, started getting little later to work.  i am not sure i would feel safe trying to get to my riding location int he morning with cars out there.

I also rock a Fenix and Superflashes and have a P5 flashlight as well.  Fenix is great for fast riding as it throws the light far down the road.  The P5 is brighter but is more floody and doesn't throw as far.  Like he said though, bikeforums.net Electronics forum has LOTS of excellent info for ya.

I ride the trainer when it's dark.

I ride in the dark regularly.

I have a handlebar light, looking for a second.
I have a headlamp, a blinky on my tailbag, and a blinkie on the back of my helmet.
I also wear reflective bands on my ankles.

Also, I am not fast to begin with, but I focus more on getting use to a higher cadence than speed.
I don't want to go faster than my light.
I am hoping the second light (one aimed in front of the tire, one down the road) will remedy this.

Seeing road hazards to crappy roads are my main concern.

x4 on bikeforums.net. Especially the "headlight for under $50" thread.

I work nights, so commute in the dark on the way here, and will soon be commuting in the dark on the way home. I ride with two lights on my handlebars, a bike light and one of the flaslights recommended on bikeforums (will soon upgrade to all flashlights, once I can afford it). I have a third flashlight on my helmet (read the thread, it'll show you how to attach it). That way, the road is always lit and wherever I am looking is lit. I wear a reflective vest and hydration pack (more for carrying stuff than water, I don't think I still have the bladder in there!), plus reflective ankle straps, and a strong blinkie on the back with a non-steady pattern. I'm trying to find another small blinkie for my pack as well.