Look out and be seen while biking at night
Even if you bike to work, chances are you’ve never had to do it at night. Even when he had to stay late at work, he probably hitchhiked home instead of riding his bike. Your reasons for this were good! Without the proper gear, night driving is both frightening and dangerous. Until you get used to it, riding a bike at night can be scary. But there are steps you can take to make it easier, safely.
Tips for biking at night:
- Tip #1: Choose a lighted path
Many bike paths keep their lights on well into the night, making them suitable for bike commutes when the sun goes down. Finding a lighted road means that a cyclist does not need much more equipment to be able to ride at night. Be sure to read the signs before entering to find out if the lights work all night or if they have an automatic cut-off time.
- Tip #2: Wear clear glasses
Many cyclists own stylish and functional glasses. But if you’re used to riding during the day, they probably have dark lenses. Searching for those perfect glasses, you probably wondered why anyone would want more than just sunglasses. The reason is clear. Clear is the best option for riding at night. If you don’t have a clear pair of cycling-specific glasses, a basic pair of safety glasses will work just fine.
- Tip #3: Be aware
If you thought riding in traffic in broad daylight was scary, riding at night is a whole new adventure. If you’re used to driving on autopilot during the day, you’ll need to switch to a more alert mode when driving after dark. If this is your first night bike ride, go slowly and keep your eyes open for unexpected obstacles, bumps in the road, potholes, and other obstructions. Consider your position to take your weight off your seat and onto your feet, on the pedals. Use your legs as suspension to absorb everything you can’t see with your eyes first.
- Tip #4 – Excessive use of reflective tape
Make yourself as visible as possible! Add reflective strips to your bag, bike frame, and the clothes you plan to wear.
- Tip #5: Make a plan
The tips above are perfect for when you find yourself staring at an unplanned bike trip in the dark. Stopping into a nearby hardware store on your lunch break, using Google to find a bike lane, and making sure you’re covered in reflective tape will help you take an unexpected ride. To become an expert in night driving, you will need to take a few more steps. One of them is actually making a plan.
- Tip #6: Choose the right bike
The right bike for night riding is one that can take a beating. A road bike with old parts and fatter tires is the perfect evening bike. Thicker tires can absorb unexpected bumps better than normal tires found on racing bikes.
- Tip #7: KEEP IT SLOW!