<p>S1 and DIL are riding their bikes to work on a regular basis. It’s about five miles, with the first 1/2 mile on a major road with bike lanes, then another half mile of residential side streets, and the bulk of the remaining ride on paved trails that goes through property easements in the community (trails are not lit at night).</p>
<p>They have helmets, saddlebags, locks and headlights. Is there any other gear that would be useful? Suggestions for reflective gear (for bike and person) would be great.</p>
<p>This is a pet peeve of mine, as I live in a rural area with windy roads and lots of cyclists. Reflectors on bikes tend to look a lot like reflectors on rural mailboxes, even flashing ones. What really helps is reflective neon yellow jackets–they are much easier to see and make a huge difference to a driver.</p>
<p>DH commuted everyday by bike for 20+ years. Ten mile each way. (I periodically fielded calls from insurance agents wondering why we had 2 cars but neither was listed as being used to commute to/from work.) DH only drove if it was actively snowing. He rode in the rain, in the really cold winter weather, and when the mercury was hitting 100 degree mark. </p>
<p>Some things that he liked: Winter weight cycling gloves. Beanie that fits under the helmet for cold weather. Winter stretch fleece cycling tights. Water bottle with an ice insert for summer. Battery powered flashing red clip-on light (wear on your backpack or the back of the seat to let people see you from behind). Tire patch kit. Minature tire pump. Sticker flickers. Pants clips. </p>
<p>(And on a more cynical note–a 2.5 ft length of rebar or a can of mace–to defend yourself against dogs while riding.)</p>
<p>As I mentioned, the vast majority of the trip is not on streets with cars – but yes, they follow the rules of the road. They live in an area where many people ride bikes to work, so there is a good bit of awareness for others on the road. It’s just at this time of year when it gets dark early, visibility is an extra concern. OTOH, it does not snow where they live!</p>
<p>DIL rode throughout college in a city where many folks ride to work/school. S1 is a rookie and he has said he walks his bike if the traffic is beyond his comfort level, so I don’t think anyone will ever have to worry about him dodging between cars to cut in front of them!</p>
<p>S1 works in a bike shop in DC and rides his bike everywhere – including his daily commute on DC city streets, across the Mall and the GW bridge, highly recommends the clip-on flashing red and white light sets. He always suggests that you clip them on the bike (white in the front, red in the back), and then take them with you when ever you lock up the bike. In addition always keep a second set in your backpack – there is nothing worse then coming out of work in the gathering dark and discovering that someone has stolen your safety lights ( and he says they are the number thing stolen off of bicycles in his shop). They are not expensive – I saw some in the doller bin at Target that would work in a pinch – so multiple sets are a good idea.</p>
<p>He also tells me that they make some that are small enough that he can slip them in his front pocket – perfect for when he rides his bike to the bar at night (something I don’t really recommend!)</p>
<p>We bought light for DD (so she could see the pavement better if caught at dusk) and a flasher to clip onto her backpack. Note - she tells it is embarrassing to stop at the grocery store and leave it flashing. (Atl least the shopper that told her didn’t say - “red light special in aisle 8”). </p>
<p>Make sure bike has decent safety plugs for handbar ends. The flimsy ones that come with handlebar tape kits often pop out and then you risk getting shish kababed on unprotected steel handlebar if you fall. Bike shops sell safety plugs that will remain secure in end of handlebar.</p>
<p>LED lights are often fairly directional, and may be ineffective when attached to a backpack or clothing, as opposed to something more stably aimed horizontally on the bicycle.</p>
<p>Also, flashing lights may be harder for others to determine the position of than steady lights.</p>
<p>If riding anywhere but very well lit streets (on which a headlamp is merely needed to be seen by others), a headlamp that can light up the road at a distance further ahead than you need to stop or swerve is necessary at night.</p>
<p>If they have helmets, lights and reflective gear, the only additional thing I would suggest is a mirror - much easier than turning your head to look behind you, and crucial to see what is behind you.</p>
<p>In the event of an accident and can’t speak for themselves, all cyclists should wear (not just carry) some form of ID. My preference is an Ankle ID from Road ID.</p>
<p>The SuperNova lights are great. Very small. Very bright. Could easily be carried in a pocket. Clip on a shirt, or there is one with bike attachment.</p>
<p>The reflective ankle bands would be great for biking. Elastic bands that wrap the ankle and close with velcro. Keep pant legs from flapping and they would be very attention-getting with the movement.</p>
<p>Brooks Running specializes in reflective high-visibility clothing. </p>
<p>The mesh reflective vest is a nice product, made to wear over your regular clothes. The Essential Run Jacket or Vest would be good cycling options. Or, I can’t imagine anything more useful than the L.S.D. jacket. Superlight wind breaker. Stuffs into its own pocket, the size of a baseball, so you can always have it with you. Enough rain resistance for a shower and hoodie wind resistance. I keep mine in my car at all times.</p>
<p>There are lots of rain gear options, but Marmot PreCip is one of the better semi-affordable versions (i.e. non-Goretex, under $100 for jacket or pants. They make it all colors including yellow. They make the pants in regular style with zip cuffs or a full zip leg that can be put on over shoes. They also make the pants in tall, regular, and short lengths which is nice. Basically a PU coated shell, so 100% waterproof, not terribly breathable, but packs small and light. Generally a “best buy” in affordable high-quality rain gear.</p>
<p>I recommend a rear “blinky,” a blinking light. As ucbalum says, blinkies are directional. Any light is directional, and for that reason, blinkies and other lights should be attached firmly to the bike, not to fabric where they can shift around and point in useless directions. Normally blinkies are on a clip that mounts to the bike, so that they can be unclipped easily in case the bike is parked where theft is a problem.</p>
<p>It used to be that flashing lights didn’t flash fast, but now their frequency is faster, so that the former situation of not being able to track someone with a flashing light is no longer a problem. </p>
<p>LED lights are far superior, because they use less power. That means longer time between battery changes for battery lights, and brighter lights for generator lights.</p>
<p>Please do not make the mistake of mounting front lights so they shine in the eyes of oncoming traffic. Front lights should be pointed directly ahead, not up. Also, rear blinkies should be pointed directly behind, not up, unless the cyclist is trying to prevent planes from landing on them rather than trying to prevent traffic behind them from hitting them.</p>