{"id":4742,"date":"2014-10-29T13:57:57","date_gmt":"2014-10-29T20:57:57","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/livetoplaysports.com\/news-press\/?p=4742"},"modified":"2015-09-14T12:48:22","modified_gmt":"2015-09-14T19:48:22","slug":"lighting-to-keep-you-safe-while-you-ride-your-bike-this-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/livetoplaysports.com\/news-press\/2014\/10\/lighting-to-keep-you-safe-while-you-ride-your-bike-this-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"Lighting to keep you safe while you ride your bike this winter"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"serfas_sunet_3\"<\/a>

Photo courtesy of Serfas<\/p><\/div>\n

A good friend of mine used to start every mountain bike ride by asking the group, \u201cdid ya bring lights?\u201d No matter if was a Tuesday afternoon, or Sunday morning.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d be greeted by laughter, because the question was an old joke referring to the numerous times we had been caught on the trail as the sun dipped below the horizon\u2026and we were without lights.<\/p>\n

And while we all love retelling those stories of unanticipated adventure on familiar trails, I finally smartened up and started coming prepared! Making it back to the trailhead at dusk might provide a fun challenge, but being stuck in the backcountry, or riding in urban areas without sufficient reflectivity can be downright dangerous, so make sure you get the right lights for the job!<\/p>\n

There are many lighting options on the market for urban commuting, road riding, and mountain biking \u2013 here\u2019s a review of a few:<\/p>\n

Urban commuting:<\/h2>\n

If you ride in a well-lit urban area with streetlights, you can generally get away with a pair of lower-powered lights in the 20-60 lumen range, which provide 360 degree visibility in traffic. This, combined with reflective clothing and other accents on your bike (pedals, fenders, tire sidewalls, etc.) will help to keep you safe around cars.<\/p>\n

When you stray onto unlit side streets or pathways you\u2019ll want a front light around 100-300 lumens to illuminate your path.<\/p>\n

Always make sure to ride with a red taillight to keep you visible in traffic and comply with any local road regulations.<\/p>\n\n\t\t