Family (Biking) Matters is a monthly column that addresses questions and issues you may have as a person or family biking in the city. Don’t forget–– families come in all different shapes and sizes! If you have a question, write to hillfamilybiking@gmail.com.–– María Helena Carey
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Dear Family (Biking) Matters,
I attended the Hill Family Biking Holidays Lights Ride and loved all the creative ways participants lit up their bikes and themselves. Are you aware of some of the products used and generally what’s the most effective way to use lights for fun and safety while biking? ––In Need of a Glow-Up
Dear Glow-Up:
The December Holiday Lights Ride was truly magical. It was so fun to see all the different ways people illuminated their bikes. We are thrilled you want to know more about how to light up the night while riding! In addition to looking great, bike lights are a critical part of bike safety, and per DC law, bicycles when used at night must be equipped with front and rear lights.
First and foremost, buy a solid set of rechargeable front and rear lights. The Daily Rider (600 H Street NE) has a great selection and can help you find the right lights for your price point. On their website they list the Cygolite, which has a permanent mounting bracket and allows for the light to be removed for USB charging. Wirecutter also has an in-depth review of the best bike lights, including Cygolite and more. Look for lights that are easy to remove and charge and can put out at least 350 lumens.
Once you’ve secured your basic front and rear lights, you can experiment with wheel and frame lights for added illumination. Wheel lights are a fun way to really light up the night and help drivers to see you from the side.. Glowy Zoey offers waterproof rechargeable lights with a battery pack connecting to the wheel hub and encased LED lights that you wind in and out of the spokes of each wheel. Frame lights attach to your frame with adhesive. Several of our HFB team use ActionGlow, a Shark Tank winner with lighting options for your bike, snowboard and more.
Looking for simple and multi-purpose ways to be bright? Camping string lights work well, especially for cargo bikes and will bring your kiddos even more bike joy. Lighted helmets are also great for ensuring drivers can see you. There are also rechargeable lighted vests that work great for runners as well– and are available in kid sizes too: Lighted vests for littles
And while our next Hill Family Biking ride is during daylight, February tends to be dreary, so be sure to pick up some lights before the Clean-Up Ride on February 22nd.