The Chainlink

Best location for rear lights - thoughts, suggestions, discussion

I did a search and couldn't find anything in regards to talking about where folks have found the best place to run a rear tail light.  I have usually run them on either a saddle bag or the seat post, but recently I have it mounted to the left side upper seat stay.  But I realize that approaching cars behind other cars may not see the light.  I do ride with a yellow back pack, bright yellow windbreaker, and I ride predictably so I am not darting to a fro, or running lights/stops.  

I am by no means against another light, but I don't want to look like a nightclub DJ from the back!  I have been thinking about getting another light, I currently run a PDW Radbot 1000 (REALLY like the light) on the back but couldn't hurt to get another.  

Where have other been running theirs?  Or perhaps where have you seen other cyclists mount theirs and made it more visible?  Perhaps something helmet mounted?  What is making you the most noticeable to our fellow (distracted at times) road users?

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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Permalink Reply by Gopher Biker on February 14, 2014 at 2:53pm

I strongly disagree with Haddon's statement "The best place for your rear light is on the front of the bike." White lights are for the front of a vehicle, red lights are for the rear. A red light on the front might give the false impression you are moving away.

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on February 14, 2014 at 2:54pm

Nope, my Topline uses 2xAA batteries.  There is a dyno powered version, too

Permalink Reply by Barry Niel Stuart on February 14, 2014 at 4:20pm

I have three Planet Bike rear lights.  Two mount on my panniers and one on either my seat bag, or in cold weather, on the back of my helmet cover.

Permalink Reply by El Dorado on February 14, 2014 at 4:52pm

I use two Blackburn 3.0 tail lights. One on seatpost steady and the other on my rear rack flashing mode.

Permalink Reply by Haddon on February 14, 2014 at 6:59pm

Derision not meant, if your going to get hit it's far more likely to be from someone coming at you and turning than from approaching behind.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on February 14, 2014 at 7:54pm

That's my favorite combination.

Ryan Stahlman said:

My vote is for a combo of permanent fender mounted rear light and a helmet mounted rear light. 

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on February 14, 2014 at 7:54pm

+1

Gopher Biker said:

I strongly disagree with Haddon's statement "The best place for your rear light is on the front of the bike." White lights are for the front of a vehicle, red lights are for the rear. A red light on the front might give the false impression you are moving away.

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on February 14, 2014 at 7:56pm

There is nothing false about it-- you have much more control over avoiding what a driver in your line of sight does than over one coming up behind you.

The numbers above may be accurate but the extrapolation that putting your rear lights on the front instead will increase your safety is a stretch, to say the least.

Personally, I guess I think the best place is on the back of your helmet, since that's where I've had two of them  for years. I keep no valuable accessories on the bike and no way am I going to be putting something on and taking something off the bike and carrying it around with me every time.



Chitown_Mike said:

I guess I was thinking more about trying to reduce a hit from a direction I cannot control since I have a false sense of control of what is coming at me.

Permalink Reply by Fran Kondorf on February 15, 2014 at 6:18pm

I've run a Blackburn Mars 3.0 for years-it was the best value in the store at the time and has never failed me. I switch it up between the seat post mount or clipped to a backpack, when applicable.

I also have a red Knog Something-or-Other on the back of my helment but it's fairly weak as blinkies go.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on February 16, 2014 at 8:39am

This is how I have most of my lights. This works for dynamo and battery operated lights, although you will need a rack compatible light

Jeff Schneider said:

I like to put lights where people expect to see them.  Most of my bikes have a rear rack, so I adopt the European standard and put a B&M light there.  Fender mounting would be my second choice.

One bike I ride at night has no rack.  That one has two knog lights on each seatstay.  I can't honestly recommend that, but I am still alive so it may be OK.

Permalink Reply by Josh L. on February 16, 2014 at 8:51am

how many of you remove your back light when you leave your bike?  I have had a series of removable lights that go on my rear rack but inevitably they pop off when I go down a curb, whatever (don't realize it and buy a new light). so now I will fix attach my light but worry that somebody will damage it- or steal it.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on February 16, 2014 at 9:00am

My racklights stay on permanently. One bike with racklight I regularly park at the Ravenswood Metra. Never had a problem with anybody messing with it

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