A complete guide to cycling at night

Safely cycling at night goes beyond buying a few reflectors and lights—it also takes preparation, keen awareness, and knowledge of your route. Whether you’re biking by night for the first time or you’re a seasoned cyclist, it’s crucial to prioritise safety. 

In this guide, we cover essential tips for cycling at night so you can have a safe and enjoyable ride whenever you’re heading out. 

1. Increase your visibility with lights

Reduced visibility is the primary danger posed by cycling at night—not only yours but pedestrians’ and motorists’ too. For this reason, it’s important to make yourself as visible as possible.

At the risk of stating the obvious, this means equipping your bike, body, and helmet with lights and reflectors. But you might not know that the types of lights you use and where they’re placed can drastically impact their effectiveness. Here are some tips:

• Use front lights—Evans Cycles recommend 200-500 lumens for road cycling, 500-1500 lumens for off-road cycling
• Use blinking and static lights—blinking lights for dusk and daytime, static lights for total darkness (as they offer continuous visibility)
• Add side-facing lights—small lights attached to your front forks will improve side-on visibility
• Keep your lights clean—dirt and mud can drastically reduce their brightness, so make sure they’re free from debris before setting off

Finally, you should attach red lights where they’re rear-facing and white lights where they’re front-facing, as with other vehicles like cars and motorbikes. This will alert motorists to the direction you’re facing. Additionally, you can add lights to your front forks to give you side-on visibility.

2. Wear bright, reflective clothing 

This increases your chances of being seen in the dark, not just by motorists but by pedestrians, too. Luckily, bike shops are fully stocked with a variety of options. Our tips are as follows:

• Wear bright colours—bright clothing, especially neon or fluorescent shades, to increase your visibility (such as high-vis jackets, vests, and arm or ankle straps)
• Use reflective gear—placing reflective strips on your helmet, jacket, or pants will help you stay visible, even in dim lighting. You could use reflective wheel strips or spoke reflectors to further increase your profile.

Related: The essential bike safety gear for your next ride

3. Choose a safe position on the road

Proper road positioning can make a world of difference in keeping you safe while cycling at night. Here are our tips for riding where other road users can see you:

• ride in the centre of the lane—ensures you’re visible whilst helping you avoid hazards like potholes and debris
• claim your space—motorists are required to give you as much space as they would another car when overtaking, so make sure you take up more space if you need to
• avoid blind spots—never ride too close to vehicles, especially at night, as drivers may not see you in their peripheral vision 

4. Plan your route ahead

Before heading out on your bicycle night ride, make sure you plan your route for maximum safety. 

Choosing a well-lit urban route is ideal for cycling at night, as visibility is maximised compared to rural areas with poor lighting. However, these areas are typically more crowded, so be cautious of pedestrians and vehicles.

Always check if the route has uneven roads, gravel paths, or other potential hazards if you choose a rural area. Knowing your route in advance can help you know what to expect, whether it’s potholes, sharp turns, or roadworks. 

Related: The 5 best cycling hydration packs on the market

5. Manage your speed

It’s easy to forget the importance of managing your speed when cycling at night compared to travelling in motorised vehicles. But monitoring this is crucial to ensure you’re staying safe. Remember to:

• reduce your speed—slowing down gives you more time to react to obstacles, especially when your headlights only illuminate a small portion of the road
• consider weather conditions—wet or icy conditions increase your stopping distance, so adjust your speed when riding in this weather
• keep a safe following distance—it’s important to remember that motorists may be less attentive at night and that you should avoid riding too close to other vehicles 

6. Ride with a group

Cycling at night with other riders increases your overall visibility—the combined lights from multiple cyclists are more noticeable to motorists and pedestrians. 

You can also share safety responsibilities by notifying each other of hazards or looking out for one another in an emergency. Plus, it’s a great way to make friends while staying safe on your bicycle at night. 

Related: How to stop squeaky bike brakes

7. Don’t forget to maintain your bike

Keeping your bike in top condition should always be a priority, but it’s particularly important if you’re regularly cycling at night. Our quick tips for bike maintenance include:

• check your brakes and tyres—ensure your brakes are responsive and your tyres have enough tread to handle all conditions
• regularly inspect your lights and reflectors—check your lights are in working order and your reflectors are clean and in good condition
• keep a spare light or batteries—always carry a backup light and spare batteries in case any of your lights run out during a ride 

8. Stay aware and focused

Staying aware is never more important than when you’re cycling at night. Ensure you always keep your head up and stay alert to be aware of pedestrians, vehicles, and other hazards around you. 

You should also always ensure you’re visible in the driver’s line of sight. Be mindful of their blind spots, and always ride where you’re most visible. 

Never use your smartphone while cycling. It only takes a matter of seconds to lose focus and cause an accident. 

Specialist cycling insurance through Cycleplan 

Cycling at night can be as enjoyable and safe as cycling during the day if you take the right precautions. However, you may want to consider specialist cycle insurance for extra peace of mind.

Through Cycleplan, you’ll receive Personal Accident and Public Liability cover to protect yourself and your bike in the worst-case scenarios, alongside up to £30k of cover for theft, loss, or accidental damage. 
Get an instant online quote today.