In addition to the lights, don't forget reflective gear. I wear a reflective vest and ankle bands when I ride at night. I also have reflectors on my bicycle.

The thing is ... drivers can see your lights (I use at least two rear lights) from some distance off, but when they get closer to you, their headlights drown out your lights and you disappear. But if you're wearing reflective gear that will all light up as you get closer. I've ridden with people and observed this situation, and I've been a driver and observed it as well.

This was taken with a flash (by Rowan on the Last Chance in 2005), which gives the impression of headlights close at hand. My two taillights are on, but you can hardly tell. However all my reflective gear is lit up nicely.




Oh, and whatever you do, don't shine a white light backward, in the position of a taillight. That just confuses drivers. In some cases it is illegal to have red lights on the front of your "vehicle" and white lights on the back of your "vehicle". My lamp with my Schmidt Dynohub has a fairly wide spread of light out front that spills into the lane, so you might try something like that.