By: Pamela Thompson, The Bike Campaign
We all change our clocks on November 3, and all of us at The Bike Campaign are getting ready for cycling on shorter days with less light.
Keeping visible while on the road is a key concern for everyone, and especially cyclists. We move faster and can’t maneuver as quickly as pedestrians, so making sure we’re aware of our surroundings and being highly visible are important.
A front light with at least 300 lumens is the minimum strength recommended for riding in the city. If you’re planning to ride on unlighted paths, out in the country, or at higher speeds, 600-800 lumens or more is important for seeing the road ahead of you; rear lights should be 50-100 lumens.
As the days grow shorter and colder, we often encounter fog. Using a front light and rear light during the day increases bicycle visibility in murky weather conditions, and is also crucial if you cycle in the 20 minutes after dawn or the 20 minutes before sunset when lights on bicycles are required.
The newer LED lights feature solid and blinking modes, and make you more noticeable to motor vehicles. The newer lights are also USB rechargeable and have mounting systems that make lights easily detachable for theft prevention. We carry rechargeable lights at the Bike Garage if you need them.
In addition to lights, make sure your bike has all its reflectors. You should have a front reflector in white, a rear reflector in red, reflectors on your front and rear wheels, and amber reflectors on your pedals. If you’re missing some reflectors, you can always come by the Bike Garage and we’ll get you set up.
While you’re there, you can also get your chain oiled, brakes checked, and tires properly inflated at the Bike Garage. Curious about tire pumps, Schrader vs. Presta valves, or how to select a good tire pump? We have all the information you need.
In addition to lights, the clothing you cycle in can also help in keeping you visible on the streets and paths. Having a good, reflective vest is a great idea. Any safety vest with reflective banding will do; they’re lightweight and inexpensive, and cars will be able to see you from a distance.
Your bicycle helmet can also help keep you visible. You can buy them with lights or have fun with reflective tape to add another way to keep yourself visible to cars.
Come visit us at the Bike Garage, 1500 Cannery Avenue, Davis. We sell helmets, locks, and lights, and we’re always ready to answer your bike related questions.
The Bike Campaign, along with its counterpart, The Bike Garage, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2011 to help educate people about bicycling and encourage more people to ride their bikes. We work closely with city governments, county health departments, school districts, and community service groups.
