ivan_yulaev

This. And if you have a bright set of lights, it means you are a hardman who knows what (s)he's doing.

LED lighting has gotten so good in the past few years that there's no reason NOT to have motorcycle-bright lighting on your bike anymore.

rolliepollie

You'd rather be dead than look freddy? Makes sense..

bici_mania

You're on a bike in the dark, presumably in Lycra. To non-cyclist zooming by in their comfy cars sipping coffee you are already Fred-ly.

What is cool/uncool is so subjective. I have decided that I am the vanguard of cool. When riding in the dark I have one steady beam and one flashing on the front, I have one flashing red on the frame and another flashing red on my back pack that blinks a different pattern and rate. Any one who doesn't dig it hasn't caught on to the latest wave of "cool".

bigfred 

I'm going to split from the masses slightly on this topic.

1. Prioritize passive/reflective clothing over lighting. It has been the observation of both Mrs. Fred and myself that when driving our motorvehicles during the dark hours, passive reflectors in the presence of our automobile headlights do a better job than most of the cycling lights.

2. Brighter is not always better when choosing bicycle blinkies and headlights. When riding together or in a group we both use realatively low power blinkies front and rear. The really bright lights will blind those around you and generally reduce the night vision of those you're riding with.

toddles

I've got an idea. Stay the hell in bed.

LowCel 

Forgot to mention, I'm probably a double Fred. On the front I use my nightride 1800 as my primary light and a nightrider 600 as a back up. On the rear I have a cygolite (usb recharbable) 2 watt blinkie and a cheapie knog blinkie as a backup. You never know when you will be out there longer than expected or when a battery is going to die prematurely.

cplager

Clearly, to be safe, at night you should be juggling lit torches for visibility.

coasting 

woah

thechemist

I ride around 4 am and use a reflective vest. Led rear light that flashes and a front light that is 800 lumens(mounted to handlebar). I would stay above 500 lumens for a light if you will be riding anywhere that isen't lit by streetlights.

b2run

I wear a mesh safety vest with reflective stripes after dark. It's light, flexible, cheap, and breaths. Better Fred than dead, IMHO.

Elduderino2412

Better to be Fred, than dead

Feel free to make a bumper sticker out of that slogan, no royalties needed on my part

eja_ bottecchia

Name one....

banerjek

I do it only a couple times a year -- the last time I think was in Feb 2012. A lot of people honestly forget or it doesn't register that cyclists get blinded too. So I blip them for a fraction of a second. The vast majority of drivers switch to low beam at that time. If they don't respond, I give another blip -- practically everyone else gets the hint.

But every once in awhile, I encounter someone who just can't figure out where the light control is. No problem. I just direct my 13W HID and 900 lumen LED into the front of the car to help them find it. It works every time.

brianmcg123

Popcorn is ready.

RoadMike

I use a bike mounted blinky on the rear during the day!

At night I wear 5 clip on blinkies, a bar mounted light, helmet mounted light, and rear bike mounted blinky.

Better fred than dead.

Of course you could always train up to an average speed of 60 mph and ride with night vision goggles.

coasting 

Once when i did a night ride, i had my front light on flashing. That must have annoyed a lot of people. Finanlly someone coming the other way yelled at me.

Andy Somnifac 

I have a magic shine clone that gets drivers stopped in the oncoming lane to yell at me when stopped at stop lights. As far as I'm concerned, that's not a bad thing.

banerjek

If you're blinding them, your lights are probably not aimed properly. I've been riding in the dark for a long time with very bright lights. No one has ever yelled at me about it, though some have stopped to ask where they can get the same setup.

Hiro11

- 1200 lumen Magicshine on helmet
- Reflective jacket for winter, jersey for summer
- Two 1W SuperFlash Turbos, one on seatpost, other on back of helmet

... even with all of this, some drivers apparently don't see me. If I were a commuter, I'd put even more lights on.

The best advice is to ride in a large group (set all lights on low here), stay on roads that have little traffic and take every defensive precaution. If I'm forced to ride alone in the dark, I prefer go offroad / MUP.

billsmetro

You know I am sorry I posted this--being new to road biking but having ridden MTB for years--I was just reaching out to ask a couple of questions as MTB are friendly for the most part and so many roadies are arrogant, obnoxious, quick to judge as*****s--many of the responses in this thread prove that point--and thanks to you all that responded in a civil way

billsmetro

And I now ride A CAAD10---in the dark, before dawn, as that is the only time I have in my 60+ hour work week--I do get to ride on weekends in the day light and all unnecessary accessories ar removed from my bike before the ride

Elduderino2412

This is the internet, it's made up of 96% a*holes, and the rest is porn

but yes i agree road cycling has a high rate of people w/ bad social skills or pompous asses, also alot of them don't know how to take a joke

MattFoley

I commute on my R3 if the weather is clear, and on it I run a 50L blinky, 300L headlight, and a 1 watt blinky on my helmet...and that's just the front. In back, I have a Cygolite Hotshot, two 1 watt blinkys, and another 1 watt red blinky on the back of my helmet. That's in addition to the reflective ankle straps, neon yellow jacket, and reflective tape all over my helmet. Own your Fredliness!

Commodus

Your 'question' was completely nonsensical. I thought the answers were surprisingly civil.

Elduderino2412

i also agree with that.
Little advice to OP care less what strangers think of you. don't be scared to rock some lights, bright colors and what people say on the internet. Not that you should be taking advice from me. Just sayin'