When You Need Bike Lights, Not Only in Dark

Winter has arrived, days are shorter than at any other time of the year. This means an increased chance that you may be riding in darkness in the morning and evening hours—and that means that you will need to make sure that your bike is equipped with the required lighting equipment. Many people thought that bike lights are only needed in dark. But it’s not the truth. The required lighting equipment must be used during “limited visibility conditions.” It’s important for you to understand exactly what that means. Limited visibility condition” means “any time from sunset to sunrise; and any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles are not clearly discernible on a straight, level, unlighted highway at a distance of 1,000 feet ahead.”This means that you must be equipped with the required lighting equipment if you are riding at any time between sunset and sunrise, and at any other time when visibility conditions prevent you from seeing at least 1000 feet ahead. Such limited visibility conditions could include fog, rain, snow storms, dust storms, smoke, volcanic eruptions, solar eclipses, or any other condition that creates limited visibility.You are not required to have lighting equipment during daylight hours when visibility conditions are not limited. But if you want to ride with lights on during daylight, it’s legal to do so. It's not only because the law requires it, but more importantly, because your safety requires it.For more information about bicycle lights, conspicuity, and riding, see Xeccon.