Many of you, because of your job or for personal reasons, may not be able to get a ride in on a weekday during daylight hours, or while there is at least a little sunlight left.

If you take your BH bike out for a spin at the end of the workday, you are likely to find little light left, especially during winter, when the days are shorter and the sun goes down much earlier. Yet even during summer, many cyclists are out on the roads and trails in the evening, when the day’s heat slips into cooler temperatures.

Be that as it may, if you decide to take your bike out at night, you need to stick to one basic rule: “see and be seen.” Keep that refrain in your mind at all times, because it is so important that the rest of the people on the road see you with enough time to react, and thus avoid an accident from happening.

So, to stick properly to this rule you must wear reflective clothing such as ankle bracelets, wrist guards, reflective vests and helmets. Remember, it also gets cooler at night.

Another important aspect is where you will be cycling. Choose the proper spot by avoiding dark and high-traffic areas. You might ride along city streets or bicycle lanes that have good artificial light, and if you are out on your MTB, take a trail without automobile traffic. But in any case, take a route you are already familiar with, and leave your exploring for the daytime.

Safety: since you probably won’t meet anyone along the way, better let a friend or family member know where you are going, and of course, don’t go out alone, or without your mobile phone… with its battery fully charged up, naturally.

Your bicycle must be in perfect shape to avoid any mechanical problems, which at night can be much worse. You should always carry with you the tools needed to fix any problem, such as tubes, patches, a pump, etc. You can also improve your visibility with reflectors on the bike itself, on the pedals or on the tool bag below the saddle.

And it is just as important for us to see out properly as it is for others to see us, so make sure to have proper lighting. Ideally, you should have LED-type front lights, which are strong and yet low on battery consumption, light, and their direction can be easily adjusted. One on the handlebar and one on the helmet allows you to shine light on the road and in any direction you look. And you should also put a red LED-type light on the back of your bicycle.