19. Biking in the Dark

Love night rides?

Me, too! There are lots of people who do, all around America.  See some of them in the 2 minute, 34 second video from People for Bikes, “Bikes Make Life Better.”

In Monterey County, check out the monthly Twilight Rides at Mazda Raceway, Laguna Seca.   Or join the MORCA crowd (Monterey Off-Road Cycling Association/MORCA) on their frequent night rides.

And since HER Helmet Thursdays discounts apply until midnight on Thursdays year-round, more people in Monterey County are biking at night all the time!

July 14, 2012:  Colmo Night Parade, in advance of the California Rodeo, Salinas (July 19-22) is back, and Alex Cappelli of Velo Club Monterey is initial organizer of a bike presence.  See important notes in 3/29/12 Calendar post, then check in with vcmonterey.org. Mark your calendars!  The Kiddie Capers parade begins at 6:30 p.m., and the Colmo Parade at 8 p.m.

Legal requirements for night riding

For California laws regarding required equipment for biking in the dark, see the California Department of Motor Vehicles (and bicycles) Vehicle Code 21201.  (Spanish? The DMV website does still not include Spanish translation of that text as of December 16, 2011.  However, Spanish translation is available on this site’s en espanol webpage; you may download PDF here: SPANISH Summary of bicycle section of CA Vehicle Code – Leyes de ciclismo de California)  Beyond the DMV’s requirements about visibility from a specific number of feet, consider beam pattern and be mindful of conditions such as fog.

Charge up your bike light, don some high-visibility apparel and accessories, and have a great time!  For additional safety tips, see CA Bike Laws and Personal Safety section of this site.

Bike lights

Low-cost lights

If your budget doesn’t allow the bike light you most desire, don’t be discouraged from night riding!  Many of us had a flashlight on our bike handlebars in decades past, and there’s no reason that can’t work just as well  today.  Check out these tips from bicyclelighting.com – including flashlight-type lights.

Other inexpensive lighting solutions:

Here is a simple do-it-yourself solution for mounting a flashlight to your handlebar, which a bicyclist could do with just about any type of flashlight.  Listed here are some Harbor Freight flashlights for under $3 each; there is a Harbor Freight at 117 Abbott Street in Salinas.

Here is another example of an effective light for cheap that takes one AA battery.  There are plenty of stores where you can purchase rechargeable NiMh batteries. 

Stepping up

Personally, I’ve never had a better headlamp than one made by Light and Motion, a local manufacturer of lightweight, high-powered lights. Find them at most Monterey County bike shops, a shop nearer your home, or online.

More high-visibility accessories, and apparel

Hi-vis items are smart during the daytime and essential at night!  See high-visibility apparel and accessories section for tips.

This man’s vest keeps him highly visible on the bikeways, day and night.

“Are those lights I see around the bay?”

Some visitors have asked about lighted bike paths. If you are a long-distance cyclist and find yourself arriving here at night, or taking off before dawn, you may appreciate the lighting along many sections of the bike paths.  From the north end of  Sand City to Fort Ord, there are 3′ ballards that shine onto the path, and these don’t interfere with views of the night sky.

A stretch of trail that enjoys an uninterrupted view of the night sky–though beware of “cool with a chance of fog.”

(Photo courtesy of Leo Kodl)

For much of the City of Monterey portion of the bike path, and for a three-quarter mile stretch of the seaward side of the bike path from Humboldt Street in Seaside to Tioga Avenue in Sand City, there is also lighting.  However, these areas feature 25′ tall overhead lamps that shine down on the bike path, which demonstrate one disadvantage to lighted bike paths: adverse effects on views of the night sky!  Another downside to bike path lighting is energy use.

Just how valuable bike path lighting is to personal safety (especially in terms of preventing a bike accident/mishap) is debatable. However, a good personal biking headlamp (a front light fastened either to your handlebars or helmet) like those discussed above is highly recommended!

Lighting on bike trails may have more value, however, in terms of preventing nighttime assaults in these often isolated areas.  Is this common in Monterey County?  No.  Nonetheless, common sense precautions are in order.

Safety

Use common sense.  In some locations,  it makes sense to bike with a friend, or even in a group.

Changing your usual route is sometimes wise at night.  For example, some cyclists might skip the multi-use/bike path at night and instead bike in more traveled areas, even if it’s a road shared with cars–and sometimes even a sidewalk (more on sidewalks in the CA Bike Laws and Personal Safety section).

Here’s one example of what helps make this is a safe, bike-friendly county–even at night:  “Constables of the Peace–Cops on bikes.”

Looking for great places to star-gaze?

No doubt about it, there’s a lot to be said for being at a high altitude during the annual Perseid shower.   A trip to the Sierra is mighty appealing come August.   But I’ve seen many a shooting star right here in Monterey County, including directly on the coast in Big Sur, way out Carmel Valley Road, out many other rural roads, and–though not on a foggy night–even in my own backyard, about a 20 minute bike ride from the coast.

A big plus about being outdoors in Monterey County at night:  no need for bug repellent.  I think I’ve swatted a maximum of two mosquitoes in 35 years on the Monterey Bay.

One place where I’ve loved star gazing is Fremont Peak, a favorite Monterey Bay spot for many local night sky lovers.  Many other federal forests and state and regional parks are a good choice, too.  Check them out in the Camping in Monterey County post.

Most years for the Perseid shower, getting away from the coast a bit is a good idea—due to chance of fog, as well as city lights.  There are many rural roads with wide open skies that offer great opportunities for star-gazing.  To avoid frustration (running into neighborhood dogs, private property signs, and the like), check things out a bit earlier in the evening so you are all ready to kick back and enjoy when those meteors start rapid-shooting into view.

Pack up a tarp to stretch out on, along with some warm clothing (it’s rarely warm in MoCo at night–so this advice applies not just to December’s Geminids but to the August Perseids too!). And remember your bike lights and such for that return trip in the dark.  For many locations, you may want to do the bike-and-ride, perhaps putting your bike on your car’s bike rack and drive part-way there, then bike the remaining distance to your primo star-gazing spot.

If you want to keep tabs on the night sky, or perhaps even attend one of their star parties, visit the Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy (MIRA) website.  Also see Earth Sky.org for annual updates.

High visibility?  Keeping it fun

Discovered this one on the Portland Bureau of Transportation website.  If you want a good chuckle, see Let’s get visible (B:C:clettes’ video).