| Now that the summer is coming to an end and the | | | | custom bike, such as Marin bikes or even Whyte bikes |
| winter is starting to emerge, the nights are beginning to | | | | you may find these are missing. You should at least |
| get shorter and darker quicker. For those cyclists who | | | | have a rear reflector and reflectors on each pedal. If |
| regularly cycle in the evenings, possibly home from | | | | you have been consistently using your bike over the |
| work, will soon notice the difference in the number of | | | | summer then these will probably be covered in dust |
| daylight hours and you may be riding in the dark | | | | and dirt. Reflectors only work if they are completely |
| sooner than you think. | | | | clean so as the light from headlights can be reflected. |
| When the evenings become darker there are several | | | | They are next to useless if they are not clearly visible |
| things you need to consider in order to keep yourself | | | | or clean. These act as a support to the lights you |
| safe. | | | | should already have attached to cycle at night. |
| Lights - These are possibly the most important thing to | | | | Night cycling tips - When cycling at night or at dusk, it is |
| remember when you start cycling in the evenings. | | | | important to remember you are not as clearly visible |
| Many people would have forgotten about these during | | | | as you were in the summer. This means taking extra |
| the summer months as they haven't had to use them. | | | | precautions to prevent yourself from coming into |
| Some more expensive bikes such as Specialized | | | | trouble or even being involved in a collision. Wearing |
| bikes, will not have any kind of light attached due to the | | | | black clothes is not recommended when riding in the |
| fact they are usually custom built. However now that | | | | evenings or at night. This is because you are far less |
| the winter is approaching, you need to ensure that you | | | | visible to any driver approaching you. |
| have lights and they are in proper working order | | | | You also need to take extra care when riding on |
| before setting off just in case you get caught out and | | | | roads, using junctions and especially using rural roads |
| it gets dark. The lights attached to your bike should not | | | | with no street lights. Drivers at night will not be looking |
| only light your way but be highly visible to drivers in | | | | out for you so to them, you may spring up out of |
| order to keep you safe. You should have the brightest | | | | nowhere. You should aim to stay on the correct side |
| white light on the front usually attached between the | | | | of the road at all times and be very wary of cars at |
| handlebars, and a red light on the rear usually found | | | | junctions. Another thing to consider is that you may be |
| just under the seat. Nowadays the lights available | | | | caught in rainy conditions. During the winter the |
| come with at least three different functions enabling it | | | | weather changes fairly quickly so it is important to at |
| to be on constantly on or flash in a variety of ways. | | | | least carry a thin waterproof to put on over your |
| Using reflectors - Most bikes will already come with | | | | clothes in case of a downpour. |
| reflectors attached, however if you have built a | | | | |