Yo, Cyclists. Light up!

The epic increase in the amount of cyclists hitting the streets this summer is wonderful. But plenty of folks are hitting the road at night without lights. It’s a good way to get thumped by a Taurus.

This weekend, a car pulling up to the intersection of SE 8th and 15th almost sideswiped an unlit cyclist, flying by in stealth mode. And all throughout the city, cyclists are moving through the night like ninjas. And while ninjas are undoubtedly rad, cars can’t see them. The influx of such night riders has the potential to create an unwanted tragedy. Biking is great. But getting hit by a car that cannot see you sucks.

Minnesota law also frowns upon it:

Statue 169.22 states:

“No person shall operate a bicycle at nighttime unless the bicycle or its operator is equipped with a lamp which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and with a red reflector of a type approved by the Department of Public Safety which is visible from all distances from 100 feet to 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle.”

Aside from the lawyer-speak, jamming some lights on your bicycle at night makes the bicycle cooler, kind of like slapping an Obama card in your spokes. And one can pick up a set of lights for around $25-50 any local bike shop. That’s less than a tank of gas, and will last you for a few years… It’s a pretty cheap ass security investment.

Okay? I’ll stop sounding like a mom now…