Riding with a Rear Light During the Day

I started riding with a rear light during the day because I do a lot of long rides with no shoulder or bike lane. Cars tend to give me more space when they pass if my rear light is on. Reading this blog post by Steve Tilford, it makes a lot of sense. We become significantly more visible with the rear light, even during the day.

"I saw the results from a couple different studies that show that the lights reduce chances of collisions with cars somewhere between 19-35%.  That seems pretty significant, but you have to realize the odds of getting hit by a car is super low, so you’re just reducing a super low chance that much more."

See the full blog post.

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Permalink Reply by CITGO Cycling on February 11, 2016 at 9:29am

I think your opinion on this issue is in the minority.  Sate law requires motorcycles to have their headlight on all the time as a safety issue.  IL state law requires headlights on cars to be on when its raining,... day or night.  All General Motors cars and trucks have had Daytime Running Lights for over 10 years.

Using a light on the front and rear of a bicycle day or night increases the chances that drivers will see them. That is a good thing!  I agree with you that the lights shouldn't be so bright or aimed in such a way that they blind or annoy drivers.

BTW,.. new safety products are coming to market all the time.  Sigma has a brake light for bikes.  http://www.sigmasportstore.com/Sigma-Sport-Brake-Light-p/brakelight...

Garmin has a rear light with integrated radar to warn the rider of vehicles approaching from behind.  http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/07/garmins-varia-radar-lights.html

Permalink Reply by R W on February 11, 2016 at 4:20pm
I have to disagree as well. I switched from a little Lezyne blinker to a Luminia NiteRider this winter, and feel much on my rides home. I've had fewer near misses and tight passes than before. I'm always struck by how hard it is to see bikers whenever I do end up in a car. I think whatever temporary irritation you feel due to my light is less than the irritation from an accident.
Permalink Reply by micah bayer on February 11, 2016 at 2:38pm
I ride with my rear light on during the day in some places and when the sun is in front. I've noticed it's nearly impossible to see anything under a dark overpass area when leaving daylight area, so on the light goes.

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