The clothes a bicyclist wears when out for a nighttime ride may reduce the chance of an unwelcome encounter with an automobile. In other words, the more reflective clothing a rider wears, the better.

Most accidents between motorists and bicyclists at night usually occur because car drivers are unable to see a biker before it’s too late. To help reduce the chance of a nighttime biking accident, cyclists always should consider the following before going out for a ride:

¢ Make sure the bike has the reflectors required on all new bicycles. Each bike should have front and rear reflectors, pedal reflectors and side rim or wheel reflectors. Use front and rear lights to help make your bicycle more noticeable to cars at night. Small battery-operated lamps strapped to your legs also help.

¢ Reflective clothing helps make a bike rider more visible to automobile drivers. Consider wearing a reflective vest, reflective arm and leg bands, and reflector tape on your helmet.

¢ Whether in the day or at night, don’t go out for a bike ride without a good helmet fitted with a rigid (but crushable) interior material, which may help absorb the force of an impact.

¢ Never allow children to ride at night.

¢ Avoid riding on dark, narrow roadways where the posted speed limit is more than 35 mph.