As the leaves start turning, temperatures drop and the night’s draw in, the autumn season has well and truly set in. And with the clocks going back in just a few weeks’ time, cyclists are battling against the darkness once again.
At this time of year, staying seen on your bike is more important than ever. Whether commuting to work or putting in an evening training session, the autumn season sees us almost always riding in darkness and so being equipped with the correct lighting gear is essential.
Here are my top 5 lighting tips for staying safe and seen this autumn:
- Invest in lights to be seen with and to see
As the days grow shorter, being seen by traffic when out in darkness is essential, as is seeing the road in front of you. From seeing traffic ahead to spotting a nasty patch of ice to noticing an unlit pedestrian, knowing what is ahead of you is crucial to safe cycling.
For city commuters, the centre of cities are generally well lit at night but if you know your route involves unlit areas, it is essential to invest in lights to be seen with and to see.
As part of the UK’s legal regulations, all cyclists must have lights turned on during hours of darkness. Cyclists are required to wear a white front light and a rear red light.
With five LEDs and three modes, Cateye’s HL-EL 340 and TL 610 Light Set is a great choice if you’re looking for a set for autumn to maximise your visibility on the roads.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cateye-hl-el-340-tl-610-light-set/
If you’re looking for a high quality light to increase visibility of the road ahead, Lezyne’s Micro Drive Front LED Light is extremely powerful, offering great front output to help you see in the dark.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lezyne-micro-drive-front-led-light/
Generally speaking, the price of lights determines their brightness and battery life. Expect to pay at least £40 for a good set.
- Consider rechargeable lights
If you commute to work on a bike rechargeable lights are a great option, allowing you to charge lights via USB whilst at work. Cateye’s Volt 300/Rapid X RC Light Set is a fantastic high power USB rechargeable set, offering fantastic visibility.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cateye-volt-300rapid-x-rc-light-set/
- Opt for high-vis clothing and accessories
Wearing high-vis items is a great way of drawing a driver’s attention to your presence – so the more you can wear, the better!
Polaris’s RBS Jacket is a fantastic lightweight option for adding an extra florescent layer to your clothing. Made from breathable fibres, it won’t leave you sweating but will help ensure you’re safely seen. Coming in at only £37.99, it’s a great budget option too.
If you’re commuting to work another tactful way of adding some brightness to your kit is via a high-vis rucksack cover. Try Altura’s Night Vision Rucksack Cover – highly reflective but also waterproof, it will keep your rucksack dry on rainy days.
- Consider helmet lights & reflective strips
Wearing reflective strips is a tactful way of increasing your visibility, particularly when worn on the ankle. Due to the pedalling motion, reflective strips worn on the ankle produce regular flashes of illumination, helping you to be seen by drivers. Try Madison’s High Visibility Arm/Ankle Bands for a multi-functional, budget option.
Helmet lights are also a smart way of adding extra visibility to your kit but also for seeing what’s ahead. The beauty of helmet lights is they shine where you look, great for investigating ice patches or puddles on the road.
- Don’t just wear lights in the evenings
Lastly, don’t forget lights aren’t just for wearing during the hours of darkness. With the grey dull skies, fog and rain that looms over us through autumn and winter, visibility can be severely decreased so get your lights turned on for safe and happy cycling!
What are your lighting tips for staying safe and seen this autumn/winter? Leave a comment and share your advice!
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