Even if you cycle to work, chances are you’ve never had to cycle at night. Even when he had to stay late at work, he probably hitchhiked home instead of biking. Your reasons for this were good! Without the proper gear, night driving is as scary as it is dangerous. Until you get used to it, riding a bike at night can be scary. But there are steps you can take to make it easier, safely.
Tips for biking at night:
- Tip #1: Choose a lit path
Many bike trails keep their lights on late into the night, making them suitable for commuting after the sun goes down. Finding a lighted path means that a cyclist doesn’t need much more equipment to be able to ride at night. Be sure to read the signs before you go in to find out if the lights work all night or if they have an automatic cut-off time.
- Tip #2: Wear clear glasses
Many cyclists own stylish and functional glasses. But if you’re used to riding during the day, they probably have sunglasses. Looking for those perfect glasses, you probably wondered why anyone would want anything more than sunglasses. The reason is clear. Clear is the best option for riding at night. If you don’t have a pair of clear cycling-specific glasses, a pair of basic safety glasses will do just fine.
- Tip #3: Be aware
If you thought riding through traffic in broad daylight was scary, riding at night is a whole new adventure. If you are used to driving on autopilot during the day, you will need to switch to a more alert mode when driving after sunset. If this is your first night biking ride, go slow and keep your eyes open for unexpected obstacles, bumps in the road, potholes, and other obstructions. Consider your position to take your weight off your seat and onto your feet, on the pedals. Use your legs as suspension to absorb everything you can’t see with your eyes first.
- Tip #4: Overuse Reflective Tape
Make yourself as visible as possible! Add reflective strips to your bag, bike frame, and the clothing you plan to wear.
- Tip #5: Make a plan
The tips above are perfect for when you find yourself staring at an unplanned bike trip in the dark. Stopping at a nearby hardware store on your lunch break, using Google to find a bike path, and making sure you’re covered in reflective tape will help you catch an unexpected ride. To become an expert in night driving, you will need to take a few more steps. One of them is actually making a plan.
- Tip #6: Choose the right bike
The right bike for night riding is one that can take a beating. A road bike with old parts and fatter tires is the perfect overnight bike. Thicker tires can absorb unexpected bumps better than the normal tires found on racing bikes.
- Tip #7: KEEP IT SLOW!