Vienna Pedaler: Be Seen While Biking At Night

It’s midwinter now, and some folks are still out riding, in part due to the remarkably warm weather we’ve had on and off so far. But while the weather may be warmer than typical this time of year, the days are still as short as ever. This time of year, as I’ve mentioned in other articles, it’s important to make sure you have what you need to see and be seen when out on your bike.

Before I give you my thoughts and advice though, what is the law regarding bicycles and lights? Well, VDOT has this to say:

“Every bicycle ridden between sunset and sunrise must have at least one white headlamp with the light being visible at least 500 feet to the front. The bicycle must have a red reflector on the rear visible at least 600 feet to the rear. On roads posted with speed limit of 35 mph or greater, the bicyclist must additionally be equipped with at least one red taillight visible from 500 feet to the rear. Taillights may be steady or blinking, are allowed under all conditions, and may be attached to the cycle or rider.”

So, at a minimum, you need a white headlight and red rear reflector, but for most of us, the extra safety provided by a taillight is worth the extra expense, so I would say a reasonable minimum is a good headlight and taillight.

How good? Well, a lot depends on your specific habits, needs and of course, budget ... as you might expect more light = more dollars. At the bare minimum, you need something that allows other folks to see you.

If you seldom or “never” ride at night (let’s face it, we’ve all been caught unexpectedly out after dark), a good starting point is an inexpensive (about $20-25) “blinky set”. This will give you a front and rear light that will at least allow you to be seen. They won’t light your way on a dark trail, but they may save your life, so they are worth the cost. And they are small enough and light enough that you can have them with you all the time and not feel like you’re dragging “extra” stuff around. In fact, many are small enough they can clip to your helmet, where you won’t even notice them!

Now, if you ride after dark with any regularity, I think you need to invest in a more powerful set of lights. These days, thanks to LED technology, you can find remarkably bright and compact lights for very reasonable prices. Honestly, today’s $60 headlight puts out about as much light as a $150 light just a few years ago.

• Look for a tail light that gives both a blinking and steady mode, and gives a wide angle of view, so people can see you from the side as well as directly behind.
• In a headlight, you want a nice, bright beam that shines far enough ahead to light your way under the conditions you ride.
• If you frequent unlighted trails at night, you need something quite a bit brighter than if you ride typical streets. Some riders like a blinking mode for headlights as well, but in some areas they are not legal, and honestly I’d rather have a steady light to show my way.

If you ride at night regularly, you should seriously consider freeing yourself from disposable batteries and all that they entail. You have two choices here... rechargeable battery lights, or dynamo (generator) powered lights.

Previously, rechargeable units were typically very expensive, with large, bulky batteries and chargers. Most often, the battery was a separate item, often as large and heavy as a full water bottle. Today however, you can find rechargeable units for below $100, and now there are some really good, compact, “self-contained” units that put out an astonishing amount of light for around $125-150.

The newest trend is to have them charge through a USB port, which adds a level of convenience and makes for a more compact system. The one downside I’ve found with such systems is having to remember to charge them. This can be managed by simply establishing your own set of habits to make sure they are always ready to go when you need them.

Of course, you can completely eliminate the battery issue by opting for a dynamo powered lighting system. These systems use the motion of the wheel to rotate a set of magnets, which then generate electricity to power your lights. Many of you may be thinking of the old generators of your youth, with dim incandescent bulbs, flimsy brackets, and a dynamo that rubbed on your tire, creating drag, noise, and remarkably little light ... and only when you were rolling!

Well, today’s dynamo systems are a huge improvement over those, and can provide you with a really bright light that can illuminate even the darkest path. One major advance has been the availability of dynamos built into the front hub of the wheel, so there’s no slippage, no wear on your tire and no noise. Plus, they are much, much more efficient. Paired with a modern LED light set, you  can even have features such as a “standlight” which continues to shine even when stopped, or a sensor system that turns your lights on as it gets dark. The one downside is expense:you can expect to pay upwards of $160 for a basic hub dynamo system today, and the higher end ones can be many times that cost. But think of the benefits: light when you need it, and never left stranded with a dead battery.

One final note on lights... I’m a big fan of redundancy when it comes to lights. Batteries fade, mounting brackets fail and even an LED can unexpectedly give up the ghost. I like to ride with at least two headlights and tail lights if I’m going to be out for any length of time after dark. You might combine helmet mounted lights with those on your bike, so you can point the front light where you want, and the rear helmet light sits nice and high for folks to see. Or perhaps those inexpensive blinkies you bought “just in case” become your secondary system as you move up to more powerful lights as you ride more. Whatever the case, it’s never a bad idea to have a backup.

I’m amazed at how often I see or hear about folks riding along after dark with no lights at all. Time and again someone will tell me they nearly hit someone on the road, and I’ve been startled by unlighted riders along the W&OD trail many a time. For your own safety and the safety and peace of mind of others, please take a little time and money and get yourself set up with at least a basic “safety” lighting system... and USE it!