Bike Forums - Best Bike Lighting/Reflection for Night Riding in NYC

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Adroitly

06-29-10 08:45 AM

Best Bike Lighting/Reflection for Night Riding in NYC

Hello. I currently live in NYC and am planning to ride at night. What would be the best light source for my bike since NYC is filled with street lights? Would I need a HID? or would an LED system work just as fine in the city? Recommendations for specific lights would be great! Thanks!

mikeybikes

06-29-10 09:10 AM

LED lights are just fine for city use.

My favorite battery light is the NiteRider Minewt USB. I attach it to one of the fork blades of my bike and use the extension cable that came with mine to run the battery pack up to the top tube. If you do that, I suggest adding a "be seen" LED light to your handlebars just so its in a more visible location (though, honestly, I've never done that)

I, however, highly recommend getting a dynamo setup if you intend to do lots of night riding. I love my dynamo lights. I use a B&M IQ Cyo R N for my front light. It is, hands down, the best light I've ever had for riding in a city. Plenty bright, relatively inexpensive for something that'll last for ever. The beam pattern is a nice rectangle that lights up just enough of the road ahead of you.

Seems like I always find myself making trips at night somewhere, so the dynamo setup has saved me tons of headaches with recharging batteries and what not.

*Waits for the inevitable Magicshine suggestion*

shubonker

06-29-10 10:11 AM

I dont have a problem with seeing, just make sure you are seen by motorist.

Pinyon

06-29-10 11:12 AM

I would probably go with something like:

A magic-shine headlight on the handlebars (see electronics forum here).
A 200 lumen flash light strapped to my helmet (point it at driver's faces coming from the side).
A couple of superflash tail lights (one on your bag, one on your belt)(electronic forums again).
A couple of pairs of reflective ankle bracelets (ankles, and wrists for making turn signals).
Either a reflective vest or harness.

I'm also a big fan of doing things like getting bike bags and panniers that have big sections of reflective tape on them, applying more reflective tape to the back and sides of your helmet and cycling shoes, etc.

Reflective tape on your ankles and shoes are really great, because people naturally notice flashy things that move around. Movement catches their eye more than bright lights or flashing.

exile

06-29-10 04:38 PM

How long will you be riding at night? If your commute is only an hour or two maybe one or two 900 lumen flashlights like the P7's on deal extreme would work. If you are talking longer run times than the MagicShine or dynamo setup would work better. Whatever you get make sure you can take them with you if you have to leave your bike locked up outside.

For the rear the PlanetBike Superflash I think is the best bang for the buck. You can also purchase reflective tape from automotive stores or online to help with visibility. Plus a reflective vest probably wouldn't hurt from Walmart.

Also think about the neighborhoods you travel through. Sometimes being a bike ninja can have its benefits. Remember its better to get to your destination safely. Whether that means being lit up like a Christmas tree or as stealthy as a ninja.

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