The Night Rider

(This article was originally published in my sports page column Self-Propelled

in the July 17 to 23, 2011 issue of the Baguio Chronicle

--- a weekly newspaper based in Baguio City, Philippines.)

Riding a bicycle at night is many times more dangerous that riding during the day. Riding at night should be avoided unless very necessary.

If you MUST ride at night or under conditions of very poor visibility such during an inclement weather, VISIBILITY is the most important factor.

Even on day rides, it pays to think things ahead. Always anticipate flat tires, mechanical problems or inclement weather which could radically slow delay your schedule. Always consider the consequences of getting off schedule. Riding after dark without proper lights or reflectors is totally insane.

The items that you need to carry “just in case” do not have to be elaborate. Though traffic is usually minimal at night, adequate lighting still is essential. Dusk and dawn are times when lighting is particularly essential because dim lights and reflectors do not show up as well at this hour, yet visibility is still quite poor.

When choosing lights, remember that there are two distinct functions you may want them to serve. The first is to make you a stand out so that drivers approaching you can see spot you from a long way off and won’t run you down. The other is to light up the road ahead of you well enough so that you can stay on the road, avoid most of the worst obstructions.

Modern reflective materials simplify the problem of making bicycles visible at night. You should make as much use of reflectors as you can since they require no batteries, using the bright lights of cars to achieve their luminosity. Reflectors weight less than any light and are brighter than most bicycle lights.

But it makes far more sense to mount several large reflectors on the back of your bicycle or on your jersey by arranging them to be easily removable that it does to fool around with a small, red light shining under your butt. Bike lights are usually so weak that if they are fixed and shine steadily, few drivers even notice them among bright signs and road reflectors.

It makes a good habit carrying a roll of Scotch brand reflector tapes in your repair kit to put on your bike and clothing if you are accidentally caught in the dark.

But reflectors have limitations and you should not rely on them to alert drivers of your presence. Flashing and moving lights are by far the most effective ways of attracting the motorist’s attention from the monotony of the white line or the confusion of other lights. The leg light has long been used for this purpose and is strapped to the traffic-side leg at the ankle or the calf just below the knee.

Riding at night also requires a slower speed than you would have during day time.

Until then and have a safe ride all the time. Put on that cycling helmet each time get on your bike. Remember: YOU CAN BEAT THE EGG WITHOUT BREAKING THE SHELL.*

-o0o-

Self-Propelled and the Baguio Chronicle pray for the immediate recovery of veteran newsman Gerry Evangelista, Sr. who is now under the watchful eyes of his doctors at the St. Louis University’s Sacred Heart Hospital.* (SP8)