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Best bicycle lights for commuting
Commuting to work by bike can be a scary experience, can’t it? More so when it’s dark or nearly dark.
This morning, as I was cycling into the office, I decided to do a little bit of research. My plan was to count the number of vehicles that clearly had to swerve at the last minute to avoid hitting me as they sped past.
The total? 7 cars and 1 truck. Just to put this into perspective, my commute is a 30-minute pedal along quiet country lanes. We’re not even talking about a busy city commute.
It’s a little unnerving, isn’t it? I think the more that we can do to tell other road users that we’re there as early as possible the better. We have to assume that those car and truck drivers are (1) not very awake, (2) applying make-up / changing clothes / brushing their teeth, and/or (3) using their cellphone or mobile. So we need to fight back with bike lights that really grab their attention.
I’ve done some research to find the best cycling lights for commuting, based on the key features and customer reviews. Shall we take a look?
Best cycle lights for commuting
When you start to research bike lights for work commutes it can get fairly confusing fairly quickly as there are just so many different options to choose from. The key thing to remember is that there are two things lights need to do: allow you to be seen and allow you to see.
You will need a front light to show vehicles in front that you’re there (and light the road ahead for you), a rear light to show vehicles behind that you’re there, and I also like to use a helmet rear light to raise up some of that rear illumination in case drivers aren’t looking low down for anything in their way. I’ve got a recommendation below for each of these, let’s take a look at them now.
This is a great light set from Night Owl that actually a front AND rear light.
One of the features that I particularly value with this light set is that they are USB-rechargeable – use the included USB cable to charge them from your laptop or a suitable wall socket and you’ll always have enough juice to illuminate your bike ride.
Super bright lights and super easy to fit (see the simple process on the Amazon page). These are, in a word, super.
The Blitzu Cyborg USB-rechargeable tail light is a great option for letting vehicle users behind you know that you’re there.
The enclosed easy fixing makes the light simple to fit on to either your bike, backpack, you, or your helmet. It also has a very wide angle beam (260 degrees arc) so drivers will see it whether they’re approaching you from directly behind or off to either side. And when you finish your ride, just plug the tail light into a suitable socket using the included charging cable.
Best bike helmet light
Do some research and you’ll see loads of lights that you can fit onto your bike helmet. 99% of these will be rear lights only. In contrast, this light from Brightside Bike Lights fits onto the top of your helmet and has both a front and rear light.
Weighing in at a tiny 2.3 oz it won’t make you feel like you’ve got a lighthouse strapped to your helmet like some bike lights do. Plus you can leave the helmet mount in position and clip the light in and out. That’s useful for re-charging (using a USB cable) as it means you won’t need to carry the helmet round with you.
How to become a bike commuter
If you’re new to bike commuting, then check out this video below. It’s got some great hints and tips for making it a safe and fun experience!
Best bike lights for city commuting
Thanks for joining me to look at commuter bike lights today. I hope that this selection gives you a few ideas for choosing the perfect lights for your bike commute. Cycling is a fantastic way to travel to work but only if you have the right gear. Having the right lights is an essential to keep you safe on the roads as you travel.
Have fun and stay safe.
**Please note that our reviews are based on customer reviews, star ratings, and online complaints. Therefore, Bicycle Volt are in no way liable**
