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Road Cycling: Night Commuting?

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    Bardleyrichard

    Hi, I'm curious as to what you guys think of riding at night for a commute.

    I live in Toledo, OH, and go to college there, and I have a job 15 miles or so away. I haven't ridden to work yet, because I start at 5pm, and get off around 10 or 11pm. I don't have any lights, as of now, so, I don't want to try, but have any of you had success with night commutes? 

    • CommentAuthoraju
    • CommentTimeOct 23rd 2007
     
    aju
    Night commuting is great.  Stay visible (lights front and rear and reflective gear) and make sure you have enough light to see by.  Stay within your abilities and ride defensively.
    • CommentAuthorcwiggins
    • CommentTimeNov 7th 2007
     
    cwiggins
    My ride home is after dark. It's a 15.5 mile ride. With a nice headlight ($150), bright red taillight, and reflectors (including a reflective vest), I haven't had any problems that aren't encountered during daylight. Actually, there are some better aspects: less cars on the road, quieter streets, cooler temperatures, and cars tend to drive a bit slower and give a wider berth when passing. I'm considering adding a rear-view mirror just for my own comfort, but it's not necessary.
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    thefutureofamerica

    I would second the comments - you're right not to try without lights, but get yourself kitted up and make a go of it!  You'll save enough on gas (call it $3/day at 30 mpg and $3/gal * 20 work days/month = $60) in the first month to buy adequate lights, and you'll get fit and have more fun.  I really enjoy riding home at night, myself.

    I run one of these: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=20472&subcategory_ID=4320, which are on clearance right now at performance as well as a second, dimmer flashing light up front, and a pair of red flashers in back, but that's mostly just to be seen.  I really suggest 2 lights front and back - batteries usually give you some warning as they're dying (lights dim) and most lights are pretty waterproof, but redundancy is a good thing.

    I don't work for performance or anything, but they do have a bunch of lights on sale right now, actually, and a 10% coupon running.  FWIW, I don't feel the need on my commute to have any of the $150+ lights that really let you see - There's enough streetlight along my commute to keep me happy.  And be careful with the ultra-bright systems - they burn through batteries a lot faster - they probably wouldn't last through 2 commutes if you forgot to charge one night.

    • CommentAuthora_mcnabb1
    • CommentTimeNov 14th 2007
     
    a_mcnabb1
    In addition to the lights and reflectors (and you can't have too many of either), I'd suggest pre-riding the route in daylight to notice major obstacles and where traffic lights are better. I prefer riding a cyclocross bike to a road bike in the dark-it has more ability to roll/bounce over the things you can't see in time. And when you hit the low-light sections of your ride, relax your arms and legs and let the bike roll over whatever. My dark 15 mile commute is pretty fun.
    • CommentAuthorcbrandes
    • CommentTimeNov 15th 2007
     
    cbrandes
    I love riding at night. My commute takes me through woods on old railway trails for about 8 miles. I currently only have a 5watt vistalight. Its just barely makes it light enough to avoid obstacles. If your riding in the pitch black be sure to get something that is really bright (higher than a 5 watt). I like the idea of a redundant light as well. Currently, I only have an LED headlamp in case of a blackout. Its a blast to ride at night as long as cars aren't an issue. If they are be sure to be "brilliantly" lit. I just read about a local commuter who was hit by a car at night and did everything right! Bright lights, reflectors, defensive riding and the car still pulled out at the last second and smack! Luckily he wasn't really injured. Have fun but be careful.
    • CommentAuthorTrekn1
    • CommentTimeNov 16th 2007
     
    Trekn1

    In addition to the suggested lighting and the reflectors on the bike, I also use the ankle reflectors (which also helps keep windbreaker pants out of the chain) and a hi vis reflective vest. My commute home is in the dark, nice riding!

     

    Have fun and be safe!

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    theneighborkid

    I ride a lot at night and early morning as I am in the navy and get stuck with some odd shifts.  I love it because, at least in SE Georgia, there's no traffic and the coastal winds have mostly died down.

    Stay visible!  We h have a dozen or so homeless fellows in town that ride around all night with no helmet, vest, reflectors or lights and ride down the middle of the lanes and they are not easily spotted. 

    Always keep in mind, day or night, miles ridden are still miles ridden and calories burned. 

    • CommentAuthordobovedo
    • CommentTimeJan 14th 2008
     
    dobovedo

    I used to live up your way many years ago when I was a teen. One thing I remember distinctly is that Toledo drivers, for whatever reason, are notorious for running through lights long after they've turned red. Just curious if you have observed the same?

    I ride year round and have lights on my bike for 7 out of 12 months. I wear high visibility vests/jackets and really like Illuminite products. Check out www.performancebike.com

    I use a flashing taillight and a combination of headlights. I have an HID light on my handlebars for seeing the road, and an extra LED light for being seen (also because it's a good backup if I run out of juice on the HID).  I also have a 2nd HID on my helmet, which is great for aiming into cars to make sure I have eye contact and to see signs and other things on the side of the road.

    One thing I have found out over the years is that visibility is actually harder to maintain at dusk/low light than in total darkness. Cycling lights aren't as bright in contrast to the setting sun. Many days I work just a bit long to actually wait for it to get darker out before I head home. It also lets the traffic die down a bit, although I ride between two small towns, Piqua/Troy, OH.

    • CommentAuthorPBA
    • CommentTimeFeb 12th 2008
     
    PBA

    The problem I always have is not being able to see where I'm going when there is a vehicle coming the other way.  Their lights are always better than mine but don't seem to illuminate my side of the road. In fact they throw it into shadow.

     Anyone else have this problem? 

    • CommentAuthorrward325
    • CommentTimeFeb 18th 2008
     
    rward325

    I do the commute 2 times a week. I agree with aju not to try this without lights. Even on well lit streets with bike lanes it is a bad idea to ride without a light front and rear. I am also looking at investing in a reflective vest to stand out even more. I am blessed with wide bike lanes and well lit streets and people still act like they don't see you. I love the ride to and from work and like the money savings a the end of the month.  Shop around for a light, in most cases that $20.00 dollar light from your local shop isn't going to be enough. Especially late at night, the brighter the better to see and be seen!

    • CommentAuthorteamgoslow
    • CommentTimeMar 22nd 2008
     
    teamgoslow

    I've done night commuting and it can be great.  Do what you need to do to be seen lights front and rear, I have tires with reflective side walls that are really effective.  Reflective clothing  such as anything with illumiNITE fabric really helps define your shape to drivers.  Beware drunk drivers.  Avoid trafic as much as possible even if it means taking a much longer route.

     

    • CommentAuthoranjuanja
    • CommentTimeMay 7th 2008
     
    anjuanja
    I got a cheapo headlamp and attached it to my "nighttime" helmet (which also has reflective stickers a-plenty) and also use front and rear lights.  And wear reflective gear.  I love night riding.
    • CommentAuthoranjuanja
    • CommentTimeMay 7th 2008
     
    anjuanja

    PBA Wrote:  The problem I always have is not being able to see where I'm going when there is a vehicle coming the other way.  Their lights are always better than mine but don't seem to illuminate my side of the road. In fact they throw it into shadow.

     Anyone else have this problem? 

     

    ---

     

    I shake my head up and down (I use a headlamp) when a car is coming.  It seems to alert cars that there is something up ahead, and they lower their brights.  If you then look at the road directly in front of you until the car passes, it's usually just enough to track you right.

    • CommentAuthormikep
    • CommentTimeJun 21st 2008 edited
     
    mikep
    In the ealry spring/late fall my commute to work starts in the dark.  I have dual handlebar light, tail light, and a light on my pack as well as reflective tape on it.  I wear my P. Izumi yellow shell.  I'm thinking of adding a helmet light by the fall.  It's definately diferent, first couple of times I ws nervous but i feel confident enough and feel that I'm visible (I hope) to drivers.  Also i rigged a helmet mirror to my my M Frames and it's been a huge advantage to be able to see behind me without having to look over my shoulder, I highly recommend adding a mirror if you commute alot or ride on roads with mod to heavy traffic.
    • CommentAuthormikep
    • CommentTimeJun 21st 2008
     
    mikep
    great idea about "night helmet".  I still have my old Giro MTB helmet I tink I'll add some tape and put a helmet light on that instead of my good helmet
    • CommentAuthoranjuanja
    • CommentTimeJun 23rd 2008
     
    anjuanja

    Beware the geek factor.  Or folks thinking you're a coal miner.  LOL. ;)

    • CommentAuthorgtronan
    • CommentTimeJun 25th 2008
     
    gtronan

    i know it's not technically legal but on busyish roads at night i ride facing into oncoming traffic. i feel a lot safer than when they're coming up behind me as you never know if they've seen you or not. seems to make drivers take more care when passing you and gives you a chance to get out of the way if necessary...

     when i was a kid i had red and white lights on both the frount and back of my bike which i suppose would catch a motorists eye, therefore making him pay more attention....

     tired motorists tend to slip into somewhat of a trace, try something different to snap them out of it...

    • CommentAuthorMalak
    • CommentTimeAug 2nd 2008
     
    Malak
    Lighting is most important, not only to be seen but to see as well. All my morning commutes are early morning while it's still dark. Once I hit something that knocked me out of the handlebars and I thought damaged my front rim. I never even saw it coming! Luckily the rim survived but I've since upgrade my lighting to a Cygolite TridenX. Oh my gosh! I can now easily see anything coming in time to take evasive action even though my avg speed is about 22mph. I use a helmet mounted light as well. More for the directional abilities than forward lighting. I can give a car approaching from a side street a quick flash to say "I'm here and coming fast". Not to shine in their eyes or annoy them, just to get their attention. I've found this works excellent. It goes without saying to use a good tail light. Some good advice in all the other posts as well. I certainly agree with dobovedo. Riding at twilight is the worst. People seem to loose their ability to judge speed/distance in this lighting. I've had more problems at twilight than any other time.

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