LED Bike Lights: Be Safe, Be Seen
As oil prices and global warming concerns rise, more and more people are choosing to bike rather than drive. Many have already discovered the joys of biking to work, and can describe the warm fuzzy feeling that comes from knowing you’re saving the earth as you get a free workout.
If you’re looking to join the biking crew, here are some tips for a smooth, safe ride. Research bike routes. Some cities, like Portland, OR, have created bike lanes on certain streets to make for a safer ride. Dress for the weather. Layers are a good idea. If you’re biking to work, a spare change of clothes will likely increase your popularity with coworkers. Wear a helmet. This one’s a no brainer, and you could be a no-brainer if you don’t don this dorkiest, but most necessary, biking accessory. Consider attending a bike safety class to ensure that you know how to share the road.
If you plan to ride at night, equip your bike with lights and wear bright, reflective clothing. Choosing not to do so puts you in danger, as a recent fatal bicycle crash in the UK attests. Bikers who do not use lights are far more likely to be injured or even killed. Serious bikers recommend LED bike lights. As Andrew Leonard writes for Salon.com,
“…lighting technology is moving rapidly forward. The advent of new LED (light emitting diode) bike lamps, in particular, is of great interest, because they hold out a promise that dazzles with techno-utopianism. LED technology promises more light from less power. Such a magic trick, it should go without saying, offers up a potent metaphor for how technological advances might not be incompatible with a sustainable lifestyle in a carbon-constrained future.”
For the highest visibility, use both front and rear lights. DLK offers durable, versatile bike lighting options. The Biker Power Chip front light (shown right) can be detached from the handlebar finding and used as a powerful flashlight. This is a low-weight, highly efficient bike light that will help you see any oncoming obstacles.
Pairing the biker power chip with DLK’s Biker Back Light (shown below left) will ensure that you’ll be seen both coming and going. The Biker back light offers continuous or flashing settings for its attention-grabbing red light chip. Conveniently, you can simply clip this light to your backpack, back pocket, or rear of your bike– there’s no installation required. Just remember: you’ll be safer if you’re seen. Now get out there and feel the wind in your (helmet) hair!
Top photo by Tanakawho
