Commuting Lights

When the nights start drawing in there's a whole new set of gear out there to think about if you're going to ride your way, safely and comfortably, through the winter months.

It's rapidly getting to the point when you'll start and finish the working day in darkness, so to continue with a daily commute it's essential that you kit yourself out with some decent lights.

All the products on offer can be overwhelming but, there are plenty of simple and easy to use lights to choose from and you don't necessarily need to fork out loads of cash either. Choose the right lights to suit your route and there's no reason you can't ride all year round.

With so many lights on the market with high-power capabilities it can initially be difficult to choose which lights will suit you. But, fundamentally your priority is being visible on the roads so you won't need to worry about all the jargon that comes with some of the high-power lights. If some of your route falls on unlit roads, like country lanes, you may need to think about having a beam that's strong enough for you to see far enough ahead to anticipate any hazards or inconsistencies in the road.

180 degree illumination

Commuting generally happens in town or on lit roads, so the actual seeing where you're going part isn't quite as important as being seen by other road users. With that in mind you can't be illuminated enough in terms of staying safe. You need to make sure that you can be seen from the front, rear and the sides, so bear that in mind when chosing your lighting. Some lights and LED's allow 180 degree visibility, meaning that the light source can be seen from 3 sides, worth considering when faced with a huge selection to choose from.

LED lights were legalised in October 2005, www.ctc.org.uk but you could always consider doubling up a flashing unit with a seperate constant mode light to keep you safe and well seen. If you do opt for LED lights then it must emit at least 4 cadela in constant state.

Some super-bright white LED's offer an affordable option, they won't cast a strong beam but are designed so that people can see you. Being lightweight and easy to attach to bags, panniers and clothing, they are a perfect choice for commuting on the road.

Things to look out for

There are certain requirements to keep your lighting legal, general stuff like where lights should be positioned and beleive or not the use of reflectors on pedals, not always a trendy or stylish option but they do standout in the dark. The CTC have a useful section on legal lighting requirements if you're unsure www.ctc.org.uk

Battery power

Firstly, you can choose to use rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries. While small commuting lights can run on regular alkaline batteries, you're looking at ridiculously high running costs if you try to use these in high power designs. You can put non-rechargeables straight into the light without the hassle of chargers and they're a perfectly convenient way to power a commuting light. However, if you're want higher visibility it's best to go for rechargeables and avoid throwing tons of flat batteries in the bin. You'll get a much more impressive run time from rechargeables and with the constant improvements in the efficiency of smart chargers, charging is now relatively hassle free.

When you start talking about rechargeable light batteries you'd be forgiven for ending up bewildered by all the abbreviations you'll hear. When you get onto rechargeable territory we're talking Ni-MH, Ni-Cad and SLA's, which can make a difference to the weight of the light. As confusing as it all sounds, all you really need to worry about is following the instructions that come with the charger. You do need to consider where you'll put the battery pack, some come as bottle style units and others as strap on separate units. There are some great integrated systems too, which are lightweight and have decent run times too.

Getting the right fit

Finding the right light for your commute may not just be about the power of the lamp or type of battery set-up, you also need to work out how it fits to your bike. Front lights generally fix to the handlebar, work out how often you need to remove the light, ie. when you leave the bike unattended etc and opt for a bracket system that you find easy to attach and remove. It must be secure and stable on the handlebar to avoid any unforeseen trips off the bike, but it's no good if you struggle to remove it everytime you stop at the cafe to buy your lunch.

LED's are easy to fit, most come with a bracket that mounts to seat post, handlebar or seat-stays, the light slides into the bracket and can be quickly removed. They also usually come with a clip too which can attach to straps, bags and clothing for fully versatile useage.

So, whether you go for a basic alkaline powered lighting system or decide to flood your commute with a high-powered rechargeable light, there's absolutely no reason why you can't take to the roads any time of day.