Biking at night can be dangerous if you are not using the right equipment. A large number of fatal biking accidents occur at night, primarily when cars overtake cyclists that they could not see from behind. By thinking ahead and wearing the correct gear, you can greatly reduce the risk of injury. It is also important to use common sense and obey traffic laws while you are biking at night. If you are driving at night, you should be especially aware of the potential for cyclists, and make sure to give them a wide berth.
The most important piece of gear for biking at any time is a bicycle helmet to protect your head. Make sure to purchase a helmet which fits you well, and replace it if you are involved in an accident. When biking at night, attach reflectors and/or a bicycle light to your helmet both in front and behind to make your head clearly visible. In addition to increasing your visibility to drivers, the helmet will also protect you if you are in an accident.
Most regions require cyclists to use reflectors and bicycle lights at night. Make sure that your wheels and pedals have reflectors that will help make you visible from the side and the back, and also mount reflectors behind your seat and in front of the handlebars. Use a bright, sturdy bike light on the front of the bike to help you see and increase visibility, and a smaller light to illuminate the area behind you. This will help to make you highly visible to drivers while you bike at night, and will also roughly outline the area of your bike so that drivers can avoid it.
Finally, dress with care when you bike at night. Try to wear reflective clothing, if possible, but at least wear white or another light color. In addition to protecting you while you bike, light clothing will make you a visible pedestrian as well. Many companies make shoes and gear for biking at night with reflective strips, or you can purchase a roll of reflective tape and cut segments for your pants and shirt. It also helps to wear reflective gloves.
If you are biking at night with a group, make sure to obey all prevailing traffic laws. You may find it more safe to bike in a line, rather than taking over a lane, as an inattentive driver may hit members of the group either by driving too quickly or mistaking reflectors for the lights of a distant car. Look out for other members of your group, and do not be shy about shouting or using a bicycle horn to alert them to dangers. Biking at night can be fun and safe, if you equip yourself properly.
