Commuting - Riding in the dark in mornings

Hey guys and gals!!

This board has been really helpful and inspiring to me as a new cyclist. I have a commute in which I will have to leave in the early morning, like 6. What would you all recommend for me to equip myself with? I'm not sure if it matters, but I drive a hybrid bike. Thank you. :)

Bright lights. See the total geekiness thread.

Hey guys and gals!!

This board has been really helpful and inspiring to me as a new cyclist. I have a commute in which I will have to leave in the early morning, like 6. What would you all recommend for me to equip myself with? I'm not sure if it matters, but I drive a hybrid bike. Thank you. :)
Assuming it will be dark, or low light, you need front and rear lights, minimum. LED lights are ok for the rear but a bright white light that illuminates the road is necessary on the front. You probably need to carry some spare batteries for them. And a loud bell or horn. Many cyclists might also put reflective strips on their bikes or clothes
Robert

Lights: I use a Cateye EL-110 or EL-500 battery powered headlight and an LD-600 red rear light or two. The EL-500 is about $50 which is not cheap but is about 1/10th of what some headlights cost. It works well enought for me.

Also a flashing light on the back of my helmet. 3M industrial Reflective tape on the the bike and on your helmet (assuming you wear one) helps too. Reflective cloths like vests can help as well.

I have read that a flashing light and a steady light together are best because it gets the drivers attention and gives a better idea of how far away you are.

LED lights are slowly getting brighter, and will eventually be as bright as 10w halogens. Until then, I will stick with my Cygo-Lite Night Rover Xtra 16w. It really is nice on my commute, especially when it's raining.

A good flashing red LED tail light on th erear. Make sure it uses cheaper AA or AAA batteries, not the expensive coin type.

Also, make sure your clothing has some good reflective striping, it'll help save your behind.

I use a Nite Rider dual beam. It's great because cars can see me as well as I can see the road. On a 30 minute commute, the battery should last about a week before you need a recharge, and the battery fits in the bottle cage. Any decent flashing LED should do you for the rear.

MY boss who is color blind passed me on the way to work the other morning. He said my reflective road vest from Lowes for $9 made me stand out more than my bright LED taillight that was flashing.

Yeah I think it looks dorky And I feel it is better to be alive dork then a flat x cyclist. Riding in the dark with people waking up, or still asleep while driving to work scares me. But I wouldn't change riding in the dark, I'll just do everything I can so that drivers see me.

I leave every morning at 5:30 am and I have the 10 LED cateye blinky and the cateye HL-EL500 headlight. I also have a few reflective stickers on my bike and my pannier and seat bag both have reflective areas on them. Havent had any people almost run me over yet! Theres hardly no cars this early anyway.

Get a flagman's vest, with lots of reflective crud on it. Put reflective tape on your rim, and on your helmet. Bright front light. The more you ride at night, the brighter you'll wish your light was. I finally caved and bought an HID from batteryspace.com; about $200 and worth every penny, though I built a halogen for last year for about $30, and a bright LED such as the cateyes mentioned, or the Planet Bike SuperSpot, can also work well. I've also found a Luxeon-based LED flashlight at WalMart that uses 3 AAA batteries; I zip-tied it to my helmet and it's surprisingly bright; brighter, in fact, than the Planet Bike superspot that's supposed to have the same LED; I think this must be overvoltaging the LED (which works fine, just reduces the lifetime by a few thousand hours).

oh, and one more thing. The farther your lights shine the faster you can ride.

Well I suppose you can ride as fast as you want. But if you are riding faster than your light shines, your reaction time to pot holes and such isn't very good.

Or you'll hit a road kill skunk like I did. :eek:

How much do you want to spend? I can tell you the cheap version because I'm cheap! My entire lighting system cost me $100 AND I have had motorist tell me how well they noticed me compared to others riding bikes and appreciated my lights.

The headlight is a Cygolite Metro dual beams with a total of 13 watts, but it's not everyones cup of tea because it runs off of 6 D batteries for up to 5 hours (either throwaways or rechargeables); I liked the idea because I'm not tied to a wall and can buy batteries anywhere should they go dead on a ride. The cost-$48. (You can option up to a CygoLite Night-Explorer with 25 watts and rechargeable battery for $100).

Next up front is a Vistalight Xenon amber flasher because bicycle headlights are too small in diameter to attract attention no matter how bright of a light you buy, so a flasher gets their attention; the cost-$12.

The rear taillight is the Cateye LD600 LED, very bright and visible from at least 180 degrees off center if mounted vertically; the cost-$20.

Next for the rear is a pair of barend plug lights, single bright LED that goes in the end of your bars; the cost-$18

Total cost for lights: $98 plus tax; if you option up for the brighter headlight your at $149.

I also use wide reflective leg bands-one on each leg, and have reflective striping on my seat bag and helmet...but reflectors do not work as well as lights, their just added safety.

oh, and one more thing. The farther your lights shine the faster you can ride.

Well I suppose you can ride as fast as you want. But if you are riding faster than your light shines, your reaction time to pot holes and such isn't very good.

Or you'll hit a road kill skunk like I did. :eek:


Good call. We don't have too many skunk around here, but we do have a lot of squirrels.
N2C

How much do you want to spend? I can tell you the cheap version because I'm cheap! My entire lighting system cost me $100 AND I have had motorist tell me how well they noticed me compared to others riding bikes and appreciated my lights.

The headlight is a Cygolite Metro dual beams with a total of 13 watts, but it's not everyones cup of tea because it runs off of 6 D batteries for up to 5 hours (either throwaways or rechargeables); I liked the idea because I'm not tied to a wall and can buy batteries anywhere should they go dead on a ride. The cost-$48. (You can option up to a CygoLite Night-Explorer with 25 watts and rechargeable battery for $100).

Next up front is a Vistalight Xenon amber flasher because bicycle headlights are too small in diameter to attract attention no matter how bright of a light you buy, so a flasher gets their attention; the cost-$12.

The rear taillight is the Cateye LD600 LED, very bright and visible from at least 180 degrees off center if mounted vertically; the cost-$20.

Next for the rear is a pair of barend plug lights, single bright LED that goes in the end of your bars; the cost-$18

Total cost for lights: $98 plus tax; if you option up for the brighter headlight your at $149.

I also use wide reflective leg bands-one on each leg, and have reflective striping on my seat bag and helmet...but reflectors do not work as well as lights, their just added safety.


I'm a bit on the cheap side as well, so I'm definitely going to look into your suggestions. :)

My problem with riding at early AM dark..Not so much the dark , but fog..Can lighting systems overcome the fog...One item I like besides rear blinkies or a good dual beam light, are reflectizered straps about the ankles. Those give a cyclist away no matter how bright your lights are or aren't . That and bright clothes.

I use my bike like a car, so I spent more than an occasional rider would. My setup is : Niterider Storm
http://www.speedgoat.com/product.asp?part=47670&cat=230&brand=351
Matching tailight
http://www.speedgoat.com/product.asp?part=47671&cat=230&brand=351
Replacement bulbs
Mount
http://www.speedgoat.com/product.asp?part=100014&cat=230&brand=351
300' of reflective pinstrip tape
Lightweight LED light <1lb
http://www.cygolite.com/light/products/14HiFlux200.htm
Tireflys, a case
http://www2.tireflys.com/
In case your wondering the $
Lights $800
Tailights $130
Pinstripe $80
Replacement bulbs $210
Mounts $70
Led Headlight $110
Tirefly's $110
It's alotta $ but I ride 7 days a week, avg about 160 a week. It's worth it.

Let's see...$800 for lights or $700 for better rims and $100 for lights.......thinking..........still thinking........this is going to take a few days to process, I'll have to get back to you.

$800 for lights????


Um how much does it cost to get set up with night vision? << would work until a car came along and shined his lights at you ...LOL

Lights $800...[snip]...It's alotta $ but I ride 7 days a week, avg about 160 a week. It's worth it.
I admit I was shocked. I spend $30 or $40 on some Cateye or similar product every year or two, usually because I forgot to remove a light at the parking rack and it got stolen, or I dropped it and broke it. Still, if I think about it, I ride to work 130 days/yr, and compared to taking the bus (which I use the other 70 or so days, I save about $520 CDN. So, I theoretically have that amount to spend on my bikes every year if I consider them purely as a business transportation expense. And, compared to if I bought a second family car and used that for my 5 mile commute (my wife is the main user of the one we have) I suppose I am saving $4000+ annually in gas, parking, insurance, maintenance, and interest/lease/depreciation. So when I factor those savings in, $800 for safe, reliable lighting on one's primary vehicle seems pretty affordable.
Of course the bikes are also recreational, so discretionary spending is available too.
Carless...how do you handle security...do you take the whole lighting setup inside with you when you park the bike?
Robert

$800 for lights????


Um how much does it cost to get set up with night vision? << would work until a car came along and shined his lights at you ...LOL

$800 is for 2 sets, I use one at a time. I used Night Vision in the army, not an option.

I admit I was shocked.
Carless...how do you handle security...do you take the whole lighting setup inside with you when you park the bike?
Robert
I use the Led light mounted to a spray painted, fixed gear bike for quick trips. I ride 20+ miles to work 2-3x a week and use the HID and bring it inside work. All the lights come off the bike <1 minute so it's really just be prepared for conditions.

I have used the Cateye Opticube. It has five white LED's and runs on four AA batteries. I had a pair of them attached to the handlebars. The mounting allows for a little left-right swivel, so I aimed them so they overlapped out in front of me. I thought they were very good, but they did cost $40 each. They dismount from the handlebar attachment so they can be taken inside.

Currently I use a homemade light. It is a 20-watt MR16 halogen bulb in a PVC pipe housing. It used to run on a 2.2 amp-hour battery in a seat pack, but I have added a homemade tail light and now run on a 5 amp-hour battery in a wooden box bolted to the bike at the water bottle mount. That's excessive; the small battery and some rear blinkies would be fine but I just like to make stuff. The 20-watt bulb is a thing of beauty on a dark morning and the whole setup, light, battery, charger, probably cost around $60. It competes with the expensive lights in brightness, but not in stylishness.

DOT class 2 safety vest in hiviz yellow. Aside from whatever lighting system you pick, a highway safety vest makes you more recognizable by motorists as a person on the road than any light setup on your bike can. I think it makes the drivers respect you more as a cyclist in some way, can't explain the tangibles behind that one, but it seems to be the case.

I know many cyclists have so much stuff on their handlebars.. They could use a dashboard. I find lights do not fit all that well, with the width of the wrap making it hard to attach a light around that girth...Do your lights fit conveniently about your speedmeter, etc.?

Re: fitting lights on handlebars. My handlebar is full, and also my handlebar bag would make it very difficult to fit lights. So I bought a Minoura Space Saver a couple of years ago. I've been very happy with it. The only complaint I have is that it whistles when wind hits it from a certain angle... that's actually funny.

--J

For lights:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile_combo.cfm?SKU=19628&estore_ID=&subcategory_ID=4320&CFID=32112585&CFTOKEN=37704918

For clothing:
http://www.alertshirt.com/xhaletshirt1.html

I wear a bright yellow reflective vest, reflective ribbon on my jersey sleeves (and if I'm wearing pants reflective ankle bands), two white LED lights on the front, two red LED lights on the back and these:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/knog%20bar%20end%20lights.jpg
The bar end lights have been fantastic. I'm sure it makes it easier for car drivers to judge how much room to leave when going around me and they are somewhat visible from the sides, which is a bonus when going past side streets where a car could potentially pull out on me.

Seeing bikes from side streets has been a concern of mine..My reflectizered ankle straps also flash..Hope it impossible to not see me from side streets.

Assuming you have a light in the front so you can see the next most important is reflectors. All the posts here about reflectorized vests and straps are very good. The reflectors that came on your bike, especially those in the spokes and on the pedals, are very effective at attracting attention from an auto driver and identifying you as a moving bicycle. Nothing wrong with bike tail lights and blinkies but they are overpowered by car headlights and so don't show all that well.

I would never risk my safety on a hybrid bicycle in the darkness of the morning. The crime ratio is horrendous. Best leave early morning riding only to experienced riders who don't ponder on lifes little idiosyncracies. Especially if you ride the trails.

...in the darkness of the morning. The crime ratio is horrendous.
Can you elaborate?

I would never risk my safety on a hybrid bicycle in the darkness of the morning. The crime ratio is horrendous. Best leave early morning riding only to experienced riders who don't ponder on lifes little idiosyncracies. Especially if you ride the trails.

Ok, who's got the pancake bunny picture?

Ok, who's got the pancake bunny picture?
http://bcm.maz.org/archives/pancake%20bunny.jpg

I wear a bright yellow reflective vest, reflective ribbon on my jersey sleeves (and if I'm wearing pants reflective ankle bands), two white LED lights on the front, two red LED lights on the back and these:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/knog%20bar%20end%20lights.jpg
The bar end lights have been fantastic. I'm sure it makes it easier for car drivers to judge how much room to leave when going around me and they are somewhat visible from the sides, which is a bonus when going past side streets where a car could potentially pull out on me.

Going to have to try those. For us 'Mericans,found a site that carries them:
http://www.knogusa.com/en-us/dept_6.html

I would never risk my safety on a hybrid bicycle in the darkness of the morning. The crime ratio is horrendous. Best leave early morning riding only to experienced riders who don't ponder on lifes little idiosyncracies. Especially if you ride the trails.

I agree 100%. People just don't realize how insanely dangerous it is to ride early in the morning, and I hope that they get the message and stay off the trails I ride. I love the solitude and prefer to commune with the sunrise all alone.

Er. I mean, it's for their own safety. :)

please tell that rabbit to stop following me to Denny's

Going to have to try those. For us 'Mericans,found a site that carries them:
http://www.knogusa.com/en-us/dept_6.html

they're nice and bright; the only problem I have with them is the rubbery part that holds it in your handlebars, it's rather flimsy and can tear easily when you try and take them out again. I tore one of mine when I went to remove it yesterday after it stopped working - got a hard knock to the road after a Taxi pulled out on me from a car park (O/T I had to slam on my brakes, couldn't unclip and fell into the gutter. I have a nice lumpy bruise on my elbow and knee :( Of course the guy didn't stop to see if I was ok... :mad: ).[back on topic] Which brings me to my next point, they don't take well to being knocked about...but then I don't think many bike lights can take a direct hit and still function properly.

Do any semiconductor industry geeks make any predictions about when this joyful event will occur? Because then when my NiteRider fails, I will junk it and go LED.




LED lights are slowly getting brighter, and will eventually be as bright as 10w halogens

I have a LED climber's headlamp made by Black Diamond that is as bright as my 10W niterider. Bike specific lights will be soon to catch up, maybe in the next 2 years.

LED lights are slowly getting brighter, and will eventually be as bright as 10w halogens. Until then, I will stick with my Cygo-Lite Night Rover Xtra 16w. It really is nice on my commute, especially when it's raining.

A good flashing red LED tail light on th erear. Make sure it uses cheaper AA or AAA batteries, not the expensive coin type.

Also, make sure your clothing has some good reflective striping, it'll help save your behind.

right on right on.

Alright ! Maybe Santa Claus will bring me a new gift in late 2007 then.

Oh, regarding AAA batteries for the rear blinky, use the NiMH rechargeables, I top mine off every Sunday, I never buy batteries.



I have a LED climber's headlamp made by Black Diamond that is as bright as my 10W niterider. Bike specific lights will be soon to catch up, maybe in the next 2 years.

Hey guys and gals!!

This board has been really helpful and inspiring to me as a new cyclist. I have a commute in which I will have to leave in the early morning, like 6. What would you all recommend for me to equip myself with? I'm not sure if it matters, but I drive a hybrid bike. Thank you. :)

I leave for work @ 5:00am.... very dark out! (getting colder out too)

I would get at least 2 Blinky Lights for the REAR.
(I have one strapped to my Seat Post and another fairly large one on my rear rack)

Headlights... I started out with some cheap-o LED (Ascent Jet Set Combo---piece of crap!)...then another LED CatEye (EL 300)... Then I moved up to the Big Guns: ViewPoint™ EVO Dual Headlight System ...Got these on sale for 119.00 BIG DIFFERENCE!!!
WIth the cheaper lights you are always trying to make out whats on the road/trail. Not with the Dual Headlights.... you can fly!

I second the vote on Alertshirt.com , I just received a Sweatshirt (Safety Lime) holy crap is it bright! twas only 19.00 and moisture wick. but ya have to worry about shiipping costs.

Good luck to ya

Hey guys and gals!!

This board has been really helpful and inspiring to me as a new cyclist. I have a commute in which I will have to leave in the early morning, like 6. What would you all recommend for me to equip myself with? I'm not sure if it matters, but I drive a hybrid bike. Thank you. :)

Hang a light on your bike everywhere one will fit,mostly in the back, and BRIGHT, BRIGHT, BRIGHT clothing. And pray before you leave home.

Oh, and one more thing...ride defensivly. Assume they DON'T SEE YOU!

seriously, put two blinking lights on the back of your bikeframe (for one reason only!) so you don't get hit by a drunk or some other type of mental incapacitant.

I like the dynamo front hub powering a front headlight and red taillight. Never have to charge anything. Always ready to use. But I agree that bright (canary yellow) clothing is even more important. You can adjust your speed to match your lights, but you can't adjust motorists' speed to match your visibility. So max out on the visibility thing.

In addition to all the lights & reflective clothing, you will soon need to add some wool to your wardrobe. Socks, sweater & gloves for starters. Wool is great & still keeps you warm when it's wet.

NiteRider lights. People comment how bright my light is.

I would like a dual beam one but I got mine before there was such a think.

some sort of clear eye protection
long finger gloves
something to keep your head warm that fits the helmit
etc

Joe

I suggest you spend to get a good headlight, it costs less in the long run than purchasing several cheep ones that crap out. I don't like Nightrider because of their connectors and batteries (the lights are great but if they don't get reliable juice who cares). Lots of bright blinkies in the rear and reflective tape covering all the manufacturers' labels (that will be everywhere there is even the tinyest bit of space on a bike). I also suggest a removable trunk to store the additional clothes you wear in the morning (fall and spring) but not in the afternoon. I like removable because in the winter and summer I wear the same clothes morning and afternoon and don't want to carry an empty trunk.

I find riding before dawn to be the safest time to ride. Less cars, they see your lights in the dark easier that a bicyclist during daylight. You can usually pick and choose that part of the lane that has less bumps because you not competing with cars and you never get doored.

I am still a newbie at commuting, but I'm quickly learning about seeing/being seen better.

Lighting (seeing)
I'm currently running a Cygo-Lite Night Rover Xtra. It seems to fill my needs but I will be experimenting with some of the ideas in the Total Geekness thread.

Being seen
I have:

Reflective Tape all over my bike (see blurry attachment)
Squares of white reflective tape on my white helmet
A Cateye blinky (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=0307&sku=1512&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=) mounted on my rear rack.
UV TireFlys (http://www2.tireflys.com/products/uv_bike.asp) on my valve stems.
Niteize Marker Bands (http://www.niteize.com/productdetail.php?category_id=26&product_id=38&PHPSESSID=04318a1a332215378f2b64b2ef80926c) on my backpack (I just got panniers so these will probably move to my arms)


I probably look insane, but as one of my co-workers put it, if someone hits me, the crash should be considered foul play :eek: