Riding at night can be fun, but there are also plenty of hazards.

 

Riding at night can be very satisfying with the roads less crowded and distractions swallowed up in the dark, but you have got to take some extra precautions to make it safe as well as satisfying.

For a start, check your bike's lighting before the off, grubby lenses can cut your headlights effectiveness by 50 per cent, and if they ca¹t see your rear light youre asking for trouble.

You've cleaned the glass, now clean the visor on your lid.

If it's scratched, a scored visor can create light refraction and make two headlights seem like four; you won't know what's coming from where.

Finally, make sure the beam isn't adjusted too high so it dazzles oncoming cars (if you get zapped by their lights, focus your eyes on the left-hand side of the road away from their blazing headlights and you should be able to keep your bearings more easily).

When you're out riding stay near the centre of the lane when practical.

This is where you are best seen. Riding on the edge of the road causes you to blend in with street lighting.

Always give yourself plenty of room when passing other vehicles travelling in the next lane in case they decide to change lanes while you're passing. This will give you more time to react.

And never stay in their blind spots. There's also Tom and Bambi to consider; as pet cats and wild animals like deer, badgers and foxes tend to be more active after dusk.

Use the lights on the car ahead to get a better view of the road ahead.

Bouncing taillights on the car in front of you indicate bumps in the road or a dreaded pothole.

Remember that it's difficult to judge distance in the darkness, both for you and for other drivers.

People rely on shadows and light contrasts to determine the distance and speed of oncoming objects, and these contrasts are distorted or missing at night.

But if you leave yourself plenty of margin and focus hard, night riding can be a buzz. 

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