If you are going to do any riding at night you must use lights on your bike, this not only the law but also critical to your safety. Most people think headlights are so the motorists approaching you can see you, but its not. If you are riding correctly the motorist approaching you is on the other side of the street. The headlight light is for the motorist whose path you are crossing or crossing your path. The rear light is for the one approaching you from behind. This is important; the white light is on the front and red light in back.
Lighting technology has greatly improved over the years and there are some very high quality lighting systems that illuminate by LEDs, halogen, or xenon bulbs. The very bright ones light the road in front of you and be seen by motorists. However these are not inexpensive and can run anywhere front $50 to $400. Less expensive ones will meet the legal requirements but they may not do a good job of lighting the pavement. However, if you are like me and do not ride a lot at night you can get by with less expensive lights. By law your lights just need to be seen by the motorist from certain distances. In Florida, it is 500' for the front light and 600' for the rear light. It doesn't take much to comply with the law. In a pinch a flashlight taped or strapped to your handlebars will work for a front light.
When you purchase your lights don't be fooled by how bright the light is the daylight. The lower priced LED lights are very bright and are good for being seen but generally do not project enough light to light the road very far in front of you. If you are going the inexpensive route, to light the road in front of you and be seen by the motorist, you may need to use two lights; one pointing straight ahead and one pointed down at the road. I use both and LED light and an incandescent light on front.
Another option is a helmet mounted light. This is a more expensive option, but it gives you benefit of pointing the light where you are looking or directly at a motorist to get their attention. The least expensive helmet mounted light systems cost around $60. Prices then jump to around $130 and higher
Also, if you use rechargeable batteries be sure to charge them after each use. Unlike alkaline batteries when they lose power it is all at once. Your light will not get dimmer, it will go out without warning.
Lighting technology has greatly improved over the years and there are some very high quality lighting systems that illuminate by LEDs, halogen, or xenon bulbs. The very bright ones light the road in front of you and be seen by motorists. However these are not inexpensive and can run anywhere front $50 to $400. Less expensive ones will meet the legal requirements but they may not do a good job of lighting the pavement. However, if you are like me and do not ride a lot at night you can get by with less expensive lights. By law your lights just need to be seen by the motorist from certain distances. In Florida, it is 500' for the front light and 600' for the rear light. It doesn't take much to comply with the law. In a pinch a flashlight taped or strapped to your handlebars will work for a front light.
When you purchase your lights don't be fooled by how bright the light is the daylight. The lower priced LED lights are very bright and are good for being seen but generally do not project enough light to light the road very far in front of you. If you are going the inexpensive route, to light the road in front of you and be seen by the motorist, you may need to use two lights; one pointing straight ahead and one pointed down at the road. I use both and LED light and an incandescent light on front.
Another option is a helmet mounted light. This is a more expensive option, but it gives you benefit of pointing the light where you are looking or directly at a motorist to get their attention. The least expensive helmet mounted light systems cost around $60. Prices then jump to around $130 and higher
Also, if you use rechargeable batteries be sure to charge them after each use. Unlike alkaline batteries when they lose power it is all at once. Your light will not get dimmer, it will go out without warning.
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