Riding a Bicycle at Night: What I've Learned Over the Years

I've been riding bicycles at night for more than 20 years. Sometimes it was for fun, sometimes it was to get to work, and other times it was simply because I needed to get somewhere and it happened to be dark outside. Over the years, I've ridden mountain bikes on dark trails, spent countless early mornings riding through city streets, and used my bicycle to get around when most people were still asleep. I've also made plenty of mistakes, especially when it came to using lights and making myself visible. Riding at night comes with additional risks, but it can also be one of my favorite times to ride.

How I Got Started Riding at Night

I first started riding at night in the early 2000s. My dad and I would go mountain biking after dark using NiteRider lights, which were pretty impressive for the time. We also went on long nighttime rides along local bike paths. Back then, bicycle lights were a lot different from what you can buy today. Some of the better lights had bulky external batteries that you had to strap to your bicycle or carry in a water bottle holder.

Later, some friends and I started our own little bicycle club. One of the things we came up with was an initiation ride. To join, you had to complete a ride of more than 10 miles at night during winter, following a long, dark section of the Santa Ana River Trail toward Mount Rubidoux and back. Looking back, it was a pretty funny idea, but those are some memorable rides.

Eventually, riding at night became less about recreation and more about everyday transportation. I didn't own a car, and if I needed to get to work early in the morning or get home after dark, I rode my bicycle. Sometimes I'd combine riding with the bus, but plenty of times I just pedaled the whole way.

Why I Always Use Bicycle Lights Now

I'm not proud to admit it, but when I was younger, I rode without lights far more often than I should have. I knew lights were important, but I didn't always make them a priority. As I've gotten older, I've become much more safety-conscious, especially knowing how much my dad and girlfriend worry about me when I'm out riding in the dark.

For a while, my solution was simply taping a flashlight to my handlebars. It actually worked reasonably well, at least until the flashlight started pointing downward. Since I couldn't properly adjust or secure it, I'd eventually have to stop and tape it back into position. I also remember getting stopped by a police officer early one morning because I didn't have a light. He gave me a warning and told me that if he saw me riding without one again, he'd give me a ticket.

Eventually, I bought an inexpensive rechargeable bicycle light from Amazon for less than $20. It came with a white front light and a red rear light that mounted to the seatpost. It wasn't anything fancy, but it was a huge improvement over taping a flashlight to my handlebars. One thing that still surprises me is how good inexpensive bicycle lights have become. Some of today's budget lights are brighter and more convenient than expensive lights I remember using years ago, and you don't necessarily need a bulky external battery anymore.

These days, I use a steady white light in front and a red light in the rear. If I'm riding through an area with good street lighting, I might lower the brightness of my headlight to conserve battery. When I reach a particularly dark stretch of road or bike path, I'll turn it back up. My dad has always been big on making sure I'm visible. I can remember getting ready to leave for work early in the morning, and he'd remind me to put my rear light on the fast-blinking setting so drivers would notice me. I'd be thinking, "Daaad, I know!" But I understand why he reminds me.

One thing I recommend is checking your lights before leaving home. I can't count how many times I've started a ride only to discover that my light was nearly dead. Having a good light doesn't help much if the battery runs out halfway through your commute.

Reflective Clothing Can Make a Difference

Lights are important, but I've also learned to appreciate reflective clothing and accessories. I haven't always owned cycling-specific reflective gear, but I've used whatever I had available. For example, I've had jobs where I was required to wear a reflective safety vest. If I was riding my bicycle to or from work, I'd sometimes just leave the vest on. It was an easy way to make myself more visible without buying anything extra. Some regular clothing, shoes, backpacks, and bicycle accessories also have reflective details built into them. Even small reflective areas can help drivers notice movement when their headlights shine on you, although they shouldn't replace proper bicycle lights.

One experience I remember was when a woman I worked with at Food 4 Less gave me a small homemade reflective keychain. It was shaped like a little safety vest and made with reflective material. She told me she made them and gave them to people who worked or traveled in the dark. I still have it, and it's one of those little things I've held onto. It was a thoughtful gesture, especially coming from someone who understood that I regularly rode my bicycle to work.

I've never been someone who wears a bunch of specialized cycling clothing, but a reflective vest is one inexpensive piece of gear I think is worth considering if you regularly commute in the dark.

Pay Extra Attention to Cars and Opening Doors

One thing I've noticed about riding at night is that I tend to look over my shoulder more often. I know that even with lights, I'm not as noticeable as I would be during the day, and it only takes one driver passing too closely to cause a serious accident. This is one reason I've considered getting a bicycle mirror. I've ridden without one for most of my life, but I can see how it would be useful for commuting, especially on roads where you're sharing space with cars.

Another thing I watch out for is parked cars. People usually associate getting doored with daytime city riding, but it can happen at night, too. Someone might be getting home late, sitting in their car, or preparing to get out just as you're approaching. If I'm riding alongside parked vehicles, I try to leave enough room that a suddenly opened door won't be directly in my path whenever the road allows it. I also watch for signs that someone might be inside, such as interior lights or movement. A bicycle light helps you see what's ahead, but it doesn't eliminate the need to pay attention to everything happening around you.

Watch Out for Other Cyclists Without Lights

Cars aren't the only thing you need to watch for when riding at night. I've had some surprisingly close calls with other people on bicycles. There have been times when I've been riding along a bike path in the dark, staying on my side, when another cyclist suddenly appears coming toward me on the wrong side of the path. Sometimes they don't have a light at all, making them extremely difficult to see until they're almost right in front of you. I've had moments where we both suddenly realized what was happening and had to swerve to avoid hitting each other.

It's even worse when neither person has a light, which is another reason I regret how often I rode without one when I was younger. I try not to assume that everyone else on the road or bike path is following the rules or using proper equipment. Even on a path separated from traffic, you still need to pay attention.

Know Where You're Riding, Especially Late at Night

Something else I've learned is that not all nighttime riding is the same. The time of night matters, but so does the neighborhood you're riding through. For example, riding through downtown San Bernardino at 10 p.m. can feel very different from riding through downtown Irvine at the same time. Even riding through the same neighborhood at 4 or 5 in the morning can feel different from riding there late at night. I've always preferred early morning rides. It's not just about the amount of traffic or how dark it is, but also the activity going on around me. In some areas, I feel more comfortable riding before sunrise than I do late at night. That doesn't mean early mornings are automatically safer, but it's been my experience.

And if you're using a bicycle for transportation, it's worth remembering that your entire route might not be through the same kind of neighborhood. You might live in a quiet residential area but have to pass through several very different parts of town on your way to work. My advice is to know where you're riding, pay attention to your surroundings, and adjust your level of caution depending on where you are. Sometimes taking a slightly longer route is worth it if you feel more comfortable going that way.

I've had a few strange experiences over the years. On one ride, around the time the sun was coming up, a large man suddenly jumped into my path about 20 or 30 feet ahead of me with his arms spread wide. He didn't look friendly, and I remember thinking, "Oh shit, what am I going to do here?" As I got closer and prepared to go around him, he suddenly said something like, "You're not so-and-so," apparently realizing he'd mistaken me for somebody else. I just kept riding.

I've also occasionally had things thrown at me from passing vehicles, including eggs and bottles. Fortunately, those incidents have been rare, happening less than once a year. I remember one period when I was riding to work at a car wash and noticed a lot of vehicles around downtown San Bernardino had eggs on them, too. It seemed more like people were causing trouble around the neighborhood than anyone specifically targeting me as a cyclist. I don't mention these experiences to scare anyone away from riding at night. They're just reminders that being aware of your surroundings involves more than watching for traffic.

Why I Still Love Early Morning Bicycle Rides

Despite the additional risks, some of my favorite bicycle commutes have been early in the morning. I've always considered myself more of an early morning person than a night owl. There's something about riding through the city at 4 or 5 in the morning, with the streetlights still on and the cool air hitting your face, that I really enjoy. The roads are often quieter, the temperature is more comfortable, and everything feels a little different before the day gets started. I've had plenty of mornings when I was simply riding to work, but I still enjoyed the ride itself.

That's one of the things I've appreciated about using a bicycle for transportation. Even a regular commute can turn into something you look forward to. Of course, I still take precautions. I use my lights, watch for traffic, and pay attention to where I'm going. I also know there are places and times I'd rather avoid when possible. But I wouldn't want to give up those peaceful early morning rides just because it's dark outside.

Final Thoughts

Riding a bicycle at night has been part of my life for more than two decades, from mountain biking with my dad to commuting through city streets before sunrise. I've made mistakes along the way, particularly when I was younger and didn't always use lights. I've also had some close calls that made me take nighttime riding more seriously.

If you're planning to commute by bicycle in the dark, my biggest advice is to use reliable front and rear lights, make yourself visible, keep your batteries charged, and pay attention to both traffic and your surroundings. Learn your route, and don't assume that every road, bike path, or neighborhood will feel the same at night. Most importantly, don't let the fact that it's dark automatically discourage you from riding. With the right precautions, nighttime transportation by bicycle can be both practical and enjoyable. Some of my favorite rides have happened before the sun even came up.