Visibility and lighting

Cycling on public roads is not as dangerous as some would have you believe. Of course, accidents happen, and unfortunately that will never change. However, there are a few simple things we can do to drastically reduce the risk of an accident.

Many collisions happen not because someone broke a rule, but because a driver, pedestrian, or even another cyclist didn’t notice the rider in time. Fortunately, as a cyclist, you can easily do something about this! Simply put: make yourself visible!

Be seen, even in daylight

Ensuring that you are visible as a cyclist is not only important when cycling in the dark. Even during the day, there may be circumstances that compromise your visibility. Think of fog, low sun, but also the environment in which you cycle. It certainly does not help if you cycle in green-coloured clothing through a wooded area!

It is absolutely not necessary to invest in expensive cycling clothing. You can buy a reflective safety vest for a few pounds, or wear a brightly coloured T-shirt. Of course, you can always use bicycle lights – these also contribute to better visibility during the day.

Bicycle lights

When it gets dark or visibility is reduced — for example, in fog or heavy rain — good lighting becomes essential. Polish law requires every bicycle to have:

• a white or yellow light in front,
• a red light at the back,
• a red rear reflector (must not have a triangular shape),
• indicators (if, for whatever reason, you are unable to indicate with your hand).

You can also have white or yellow reflectors on the pedals and wheels. If you use a headlamp mounted on your helmet or handlebars, make sure it points slightly downward — enough to light the road ahead, but not so much that it blinds oncoming cyclists or drivers. Your goal is to be visible, not dazzling.

Before each ride, take a few seconds to check that your lights are charged and your reflectors are clean. A thin layer of dirt can make them useless, especially at night.

A little courtesy goes a long way

Powerful LED lights are great for lighting the way, but they can be unpleasant — even dangerous — for others if misaligned. If you often ride in traffic or on bike paths, tilt your beam down and use a lower brightness mode. You’ll still see the road perfectly well, and everyone else will thank you for it.

In the past, Polish law stated that a rear light may flash (suggesting that a front light may not flash). This provision has been removed, meaning that flashing lights are no longer prohibited. (Note from author: Unfortunately.)