Night-time cycling

[Carol C]

I have yet to go on the road at night on my bike; I will make sure I am seen, with hi-vis vest on and front and rear lights; any advice would be welcome. Thanks.

 

[HLaB]

Not really advice but IME its generally better cycling at night, there's less traffic and you appear less defined to those that are out there so they give you more room. Advice-wise I like to use one solid and one flashing light on either end; the theory is that the flashing light catches the drivers attention and the solid light makes it easier for them to judge your distance. Also if one fails the other is good. If its pitch dark I sometimes fit a helmet torch.

 

[jonathanw]

I have yet to go on the road at night on my bike; I will make sure I am seen, with hi-vis vest on and front and rear lights; any advice would be welcome. Thanks.

That's pretty much all you need to do, but I would just be a little more aware for approaching vehicles and err on the defensive side, especially on narrow country lanes. Make sure your lights are of a good quality. The more lumens the better (although the 2000 lumen magicshine can probably be seen on the International Space Station, so maybe not quite that much). Enjoy it, as I agree it can be more enjoyable than daytime riding.

 

[numbnuts]

Riding out on country lanes at night is great you see so much wild life.

 

[viper]

Night time is great especially off road in the New Forest.

 

[Orange]

The hills seem easier somehow at night - or is that just me?

 

[growingvegetables]

Not really advice but IME its generally better cycling at night, there's less traffic and you appear less defined to those that are out there so they give you more room.

+1 - with just a wee proviso; take extra care if there's traffic calming measures and pinchpoints? If nothing else, there's often a lot of other extra light sources around these, and drivers may have difficulty just spotting the cycle lights among all the other "light noise".

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

The hills seem easier somehow at night - or is that just me?

Are you actually climbing hills or dreaming about climbing them?

I often feel I'm cycling faster at night but my computer says no....

EDIT: I've just put a torch onto my helmet for some night commuting - so far, it feels like a useful addition. I like knowing that I can shine a light directly at drivers when they look like they've assumed the road's empty as they pull out of side roads. It seems to work.

 

[jayonabike]

Nice bright lights, plenty of layers this time of year, the temperature can drop quite a few degrees at night. I also carry a head torch, handy if you need to fix a puncture in the pitch black and need a light source to see what your doing.

 

[Paul.G.]

I suggest you stay close to home at first just while you get used to night riding, then extend your rides further as you confidence builds. Make sure you have at least two good quality rear lights, on on constant, the other on flash. Having two means should one fail you will have a back-up. Keep your line and don't be tempted to ride in the gutter and as everyone else has said, enjoy!

 

[TheDoctor]

Multiple lights are good, head torches are great (but as well, not instead of a pair of front lights) and reflective stuff helps.
Plus the pubs are open!!

 

[MattHB]

Don't forget to carry spare batteries (front and rear). Even if youre sure that you charged up fully. Battery failure 10 miles from home in pitch dark ain't funny!!

 

[Norm]

I love riding at night, it is much preferred to daytime rides on and off the road. However, you should carry good lights. My minimum is two lights at each end and a good head light as my minimum and I also have a pair of flashers on my helmet when I wear it and another on my rucksack when I wear that.

 

[AhThisFeckinThing]

I would get some sort of side lights, in the spokes etc. I had two torches, one catseye(flashing) for the front and a 5 led rear light with another catseye(flashing), yellow reflective jacket, tortec reflector mudguards, reflectors on leggings and still got side swiped by a 'I just didn't see you'. I regularly ride a 0200 hours and its a lot safer then 3pm to 5.30pm.

 

[tyred]

Don't forget to carry spare batteries (front and rear). Even if youre sure that you charged up fully. Battery failure 10 miles from home in pitch dark ain't funny!!

Ahem! Dynamo and all your worries are over!