Safety: Partly dark, mostly dark, or darkly dark
 

Winter is on the way, and with it the very, very short days we get in the Northwest. I have some flexibility in my work hours, and am wondering if I do best to ride in very early before dawn, near dawn, or just ride in at my "normal" hours and let the sun do what it does or doesn't do.

Traffic is least, early (0500-0530). Going home, traffic is best before 5 or after 6.30. Dark is about 4.30 in December.

I have a MagicShine headlight, a flashing Cateye on my helmet (may swap the MS and Cateye locations...), and one steady and two blinkers on the back (one blinky on my helmet). I have put reflectors in the spokes, and will likely put some more laterally-visible reflectors on the forks etc. I wear either an illuminite or industrial reflector vest.

So armored, what is the best time to ride? My lighting and reflection is most visible in the dark dark, but then more of my attention has to go to the road itself, as I get several new hazards to dodge each day (and on Fridays, the bike lane is full of trash cans).

Your experienced wisdom is appreciated!

I feel most nervous before dusk & after dawn. I worry about the sun being in the eyes of the driver behinds me, and it's harder for me to see as well. I like going to work early & leaving early, traffic is much lighter.

I've only ever been hit once, rather lightly, in the middle of the day.

Normally I'd say you're most visible in the darkest dark, but you obviously need to factor in rain. I generally try to avoid riding at night in the rain, especially in areas where there are street lights. My theory is that wet streets and rain on the windshield end up creating a kaliedescope effect and individual lights get lost. In any event, there are studies that show drivers' vision is drastically reduced by rain at night. I could be wrong, but I think that rain effects visibility less in the twilight hours.

The more of yourself you can light up the better. You've probably seen K'Tesh's reflective display. A guy who works at my campus goes a step further:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/...de9b2a0b_z.jpg

My biggest worry in the morning is drowsy drivers, not lack of visibility.

In my experience earlier is always better.

Anytime you can avoid rush hour is basically the right time to ride, IMO.

When the sun is low in the sky- dusk and dawn- is when it is most dangerous I think. This is especially true if your ride takes you into the sun- eastbound in the morning, westbound in the afternoon. If cars are approaching from behind and are blinded by the sun, they might just run you over. I'd much rather ride in total darkness.

If I can shift my commute, I avoid sunrise and sunset. The majority of my commute is straight towards the sun, so I am concerned about drivers being blinded by the glare off their dirty/dew-damp windshields, and I have to peer from beneath my helmet visor to avoid being blinded myself.

At dusk and dawn, and when it's fully dark, your lights and reflective gear stand out better than they do at sunrise/sunset or even full daylight.

I agree that the sun shining in people's eyes can be a real problem but I travel more North and South as opposed to East and West for work.

From a psychological standpoint I find it easier to have some daylight in the mornings vs. in the evening. Plus I like to sleep in. ;)

As you know, around here in December it is dark until at least 8:00 am and is dark (like all the way dark) again by 4:30pm. I'm expected to be at work from at least 8:00 to 4:30. No way to avoid riding in the dark. I don't change my schedule at all. I just ride when I have to and dress appropriately.

The joys of winter in Oregon. At least we don't have to shovel it - no need for studded tires.

The grand experiment begins on Monday...I am traveling home tomorrow, and will spend Sunday putting the rack and lights and etc etc on my CX bike for the commute (my next CX race is in November). Hopefully I have all summer to build my ultimate commuter bike for next winter. However, this might keep my relationship with my CX bike on a good footing, since I just bought a road bike, and I think my CX bike is jealous.

I think there is some additional safety when you leave home/work at the same time each day. The same people see you and will eventually look out for you, to some degree. The traffic level is relatively the same too if you leave at the same time.

Very good point. The worst is if you normally run through the most congested area before the main crush, until one day you're running late when everybody else who times their commute to the nearest five seconds is coming through there.

Try to avoid riding in twilight if at all possible. It tends to be hardest for people to see during twilight hours. Just after the street lights turn off and right before they turn on is the worst as many drivers will have their lights off as well.

You also want to try to avoid becoming too much of a distraction. If you have so many lights and reflectors that drivers fixate on you, you'll find a disturbing number steering right toward you. They probably won't hit you, but it is very disconcerting.

Also be considerate of your fellow cyclists, helmet lights and too bright headlights or taillights can blind other cyclists who are on the road with you. Most importantly if you have a helmet light LOOK AWAY from any other cyclists.

+1 This is exactly my commute. I look forward to DST so my commute home will be after dark and in will be well up after the sun is up. Either way my lighting is real bright.