Originally Posted by ItsJustMe

You need more light in an urban setting with lots of lights around than in a rural one. Out in the country, I can live just fine with about 180 lumens even when riding on dark gravel roads with potholes. In the city I want more light than that, because it's easy for your little light to get lost in a sea of other lights. Drivers are only looking for "threats" which to them means other cars; if you're significantly less visible than a car, they probably won't see you.