Riding Safe at Night:
Tips for Nocturnal Cyclists
 

Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers is proud to sponsor MassBike and its annual Lights Brigade. Cycling at night can be a rewarding experience, offering a unique perspective on your surroundings and a sense of tranquility. However, it also poses specific challenges due to reduced visibility. Read on for some essential tips for riding safely after dark.
 

1

Invest in Quality Lighting:

When traveling between ½ hour after sunset and ½ hour before sunrise, the law requires you to use at least one white light on the front of your bike and one red light on the back.

You also MUST use reflectors on either your pedals or your ankles.
  • Front Light: A powerful headlight is crucial for illuminating the road ahead. Look for a light with a wide beam and high lumens.
  • Rear Light: A bright red taillight is essential for alerting vehicles behind you. Consider a flashing light for increased visibility.

2

Wear Reflective Gear:

Cycling accidents are harder to avoid at night and quite dangerous when they occur, so staying safe means staying seen.
  • Wearing clothing with reflective strips or patches helps you stand out to drivers.
  • Reflective accessories like ankle bands, arm bands, and helmets can further enhance your visibility.

3

Position For Visibility

Where you ride can matter just as much as how you ride.
  • Ride a little more towards the center of the road than you might usually: approximately 25-30 inches out is a good benchmark.
  • Aside from making you more visible to nearby motorists, this will help you avoid potholes, drain covers, and other hazards.

4

Ride Carefully 

Even familiar routes can appear dramatically different at night, and dangerous obstacles such as slippery leaves or other debris are challenging to spot without proper illumination.
  • When possible, choose paths with sufficient street lighting.
  • Don’t rush, and if you’re riding with someone else, leave sufficient space between your own bike and the rider in front; otherwise, you might end up blinding or dazing someone inadvertently with your bike lights!
  • Keep your friends or loved ones posted on where you plan to be biking. That way, any accidents or maintenance issues won’t leave you stranded for long.
 

Riding at night is great when done right, and with the tips above, we know you’ll be serenely cycling for many evenings to come.
Safe travels!
 
 

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