Let’s begin…

MATT WOODCOCK, CYCLING UK TRAINING MANAGER

“Riding in the dark requires the cyclist to ensure they’re seen and can see the road surface clearly, without dazzling other road users. If you’re riding along unlit country lanes, you’ll need a different lighting setup to riding in an urban setting – or you may need to have a mix of lights if you’re riding though both environments. Wherever you are, it’s crucial that you are seen and you need to consider having reflectors on your bike and your clothing as well as lights. There’s a legal requirement during the hours of darkness (dusk to dawn) to have a front white light and a rear red light. The other legal requirement is to have a white reflector (front), red reflector (rear) and pedal reflectors. Studies have shown that having reflectors on your pedals, or ankles, will help you stand out more because other road users notice the elliptical movement of the pedal strokes. Reflective gear has been shown to be seen better than hi-vis wear at night, too. Having reflective piping on your clothing,