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How to Ensure You're Seen When Cycling
Written by
Greg Kaplan,
Don't let dwindling daylight keep you off the road. Follow these few tips to enhance your safety on the bike when riding at night.
Light it Up
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Use a headlight on your bike wisely: solid on—not flashing—and aimed at the ground about 20 feet ahead of you. This is the best way to see what's ahead, as well as let others see you without blinding them.
Pro Tip: When cycling in low- or no-light conditions, keep your headlight at a medium or low setting so as not to blind oncoming traffic.
Pro Tip: When cycling in low- or no-light conditions, keep your headlight at a medium or low setting so as not to blind oncoming traffic.
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Your Next RideNo Surprises From Behind
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When you ride your bike at night, use a tail light. Set it to flash mode to help traffic approaching from behind judge the distance to you.
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Your Next RideHi-Vis Clothing
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Most cycling clothing has reflective elements built-in. For additional visibility, choose light-colored clothing: Light green, yellow and white are better than dark blues or blacks for night-time riding.
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Your Next RideHi-Vis Clothing
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Most cycling clothing has reflective elements built-in. For additional visibility, choose light-colored clothing: Light green, yellow and white are better than dark blues or blacks for night-time riding.
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Your Next RideKeep an Eye Ahead
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Performance eyewear with clear lenses will not only protect your eyes but also help stop them from tearing up, which in turn allows you better visibility.
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Your Next RideBroad Shoulders
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If you're riding on the road, stick to routes with ample shoulders. If you can, opt to ride on a multi-use path protected from motorized traffic, this is your safest bet.
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Your Next RideRide With Traffic
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If you're on a multi-use path—which may be safer than riding on open roads—always ride in the same direction of traffic and never against it.
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Your Next RideStick to Familiar Roads
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Save the wandering and exploring on your bike for daylight hours when you can see potholes and other road hazards that could unexpectedly derail your ride.
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Your Next RideRide With A Group
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There's safety in numbers. If you can make it to a group ride, you'll likely be safer than riding alone. This is a good rule of thumb for daylight and nighttime hours.
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Your Next RideTell a Friend
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Let someone else know you're out for a ride—even if you're riding with a group. This holds true for cycling at any time of day.
Pro Tip: Many social apps—like Garmin Connect and Strava—have features that allow your linked and permitted followers to track your location.
Pro Tip: Many social apps—like Garmin Connect and Strava—have features that allow your linked and permitted followers to track your location.
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Your Next RideAbout the Author
A lifelong endurance sports athlete, Greg raced bikes on the road as a junior prior to changing his athletic focus to rowing. Upon retiring from elite rowing competition, Greg revisited his passion for racing bikes and also added some swimming and running into the mix, competing at the ITU Age Group World Championships on multiple occasions. He and his wife Shannon—also a rower, bike-racer, and triathlete—enjoy traveling, learning about wine and keeping up with their rescue cats when they are not training or racing.