Just because it is getting darker and colder does not mean you should put your bicycle away. It’s still a great way to get around, but you will need to take some extra precautions.
For example, Nevada law requires you have a white light on the front of your bicycle, a red tail reflector on the rear and reflective material on each side of your bicycle when riding at night. While that applies all year round, you are more likely to be riding at night over the next few months as the days are shorter.
Remember those are minimum legal requirements, and supplementing with additional lights can help others see you, as can further reflective strips on your clothing or luggage at night and bright colors in the day. Many cyclists now use flashing lights day and night.
Careful road positioning also helps. Motor vehicles have significant blind spots you’ll need to avoid sitting in. You might also consider exchanging routes that are fine in daylight but lack sufficient street lighting at night. Again, it is about making it easy for motorists to spot you.
Staying warm
If you get cold, the body will focus its efforts on protecting the core at the expense of the extremities and the brain. Being cold can not only mean cold fingers and toes but slower decision-making. Using additional clothing to stay warm will not only make your journey more pleasant, but it will make it safer.
You can only do so much, however. As with any time of year, your safety depends on the motorists around you. If they are distracted or make a poor choice, they could injure you. Showing that you did your part to stay seen and alert will help your cause if you ever need to claim compensation in the wake of a wreck.
