Tips and Tricks for Being Seen on the Road
Riding on the road can be intimidating, especially when the days are short, the sunlight is slightly lower, and the overall visibility diminishes. Fortunately, cyclists have plenty of tools to help boost their profile on the road and ensure they are better protected while riding.
While Lazer builds products to protect you in the event of a crash, we also work hard to include design features that help avoid crashes in the first place. By following a few easy tips to boost visibility, cyclists can make themselves more visible to others, whether that's drivers on the road, other users of bike paths, or even fellow cyclists flowing and moving through the bunch on their favorite weekend group ride.
With these tips, you can continue enjoying your rides in lower light conditions and hit the road with confidence.
Light Up Your Helmet with Lazer LED Lights
Help ensure you're seen on the road with one of Lazers' integrated LED helmet lights. Our taillight mounts directly to nearly all Lazer KinetiCore helmets thanks to a recess molded into the shell. Simply twist and lock the rechargeable light into the port on the back of the helmet and turn it on for up to 54 hours of flashing run time.
The light uses a magnetic recharging cable, which helps increase water resistance and will recharge within 2.5 hours from empty. For any Lazer helmets that don't have the integrated twist lock design, a Velcro strap can secure the light to the helmet for a quick and easy way to add some brightness to your cycling setup.
Add a Bright Colored AeroShell
Use one of Lazer’s colorful Aeroshell covers to boost your visibility on the road. Lazer helmets are designed to seamlessly integrate with these accessories, which help make your highest profile point (your helmet) more visible to other users on the roadways.
The AeroShell accessory is the perfect cold-weather addition to your Lazer helmet. It adds a little extra coverage and warmth for cool rides and can turn a low-profile black helmet into a high visibility beacon atop your head. The thin polycarbonate shell is molded to fit specific helmet models and sizes perfectly. The design blocks wind and rain from the front and sides while leaving the back vents open. Best of all, the flashy yellow and orange color options really stand out on the road, especially against the drab and dreary backdrop of winter.
Wear Loud Clothing
When it comes to riding on the road in low-light conditions, the brighter the better for those who prioritize visibility. Donning a bright-colored jersey makes riders more visible to others on the road and can help drivers better distinguish and avoid a cyclist. When selecting a color for your winter kit or jacket, consider something that will pop against the surrounding landscape.
Your shoes are another great place to consider a pop of color. Do this with a pair of high-visibility shoe covers. Pedaling at 90 RPMs means your feet move 180 times per minute. This undulating motion, combined with bright colors, adds some dynamic variation to your visibility game that can catch others' eyes and help them take necessary action to give you more space.
When choosing colors for visibility, keep in mind that while a red or even high-vis yellow jersey might boost visibility against the grey skies and brown leafless trees of winter, that same jersey might blend in at different times of the year during peak foliage times.
Light Up Your Bike
While a brighter helmet and kit boost visibility, the addition of LED lights to your bike will really help you stand out on your next ride. Adding both a front light and rear taillight on the bike will significantly boost your profile on the road and keep you visible should a ride extend past sunset (it really sneaks up on you during winter and early spring).
Generally, a rear taillight can attach to the seat post of a bike, and the red flash will not only stand out against dark, muted landscapes but will also distinguish you as a cyclist against the steady beams of other lights in lower conditions. When choosing a front light that attaches to the handlebar or stem, opt for one with both a steady beam and flashing options. The flash comes in handy as a visibility booster during the daytime, while the steady setting will help better illuminate the road ahead after dark. Generally, a front light of at least 300 lumens will do the trick to help you see and be seen.
Protection while cycling can start right when the rubber hits the road, no need to wait until you do. By taking some easy steps to boost your visibility, you'll be easier to see and better protected on that next great two-wheeled adventure, wherever it may lead.
