Riding in peak hour 'at night'

So I initially bought my bike for commuting to and from work, however, sometimes i need to work a bit later and would be riding in peak hour as the suns setting and whilst dark (approaching winter was a geat time to get my licence ). As a new rider im quite nervous about my initial commute, is there any advice, experiences anyone can share?

 

1. People aren't out to get you. They're just self absorbed, distracted, in a rush, etc. Or any combination of the previous. They'll still kill you, but chances are it isn't personal. You don't factor into their world.
2. Keep a safe distance to the car in front of you. Doesn't mean a 10 second gap, but also don't tailgate.
3. Buffering is good, but so is owning the road. What I mean by that is if you buffer away from something too much, you might hide yourself from it, making the car not be able to see you. I've done it. Nearly got hit, was in the right, but also unseen to him.
4. If you're happy enough to ride on the weekend, not much harder during the week, just more cars.

Apart from that just some generic stuff about right gear for the weather.

 

Put a strip of gaffa tape along the top of your visor if you're riding into the setting sun (works like a cars sun visor).
Wear a high visibility vest and have your headlight on if it's not already hardwired.
Keep your visor clean.

 

Keeping a level head & staying relaxed is I good idea, it'll help your observation & riding be on point

Also as you're quite new to this know when to quit: if it's all getting too much for you & stressing you out, pull over somewhere safe/convenient or delay your departure by 20-30 minutes & wait for the sun to go down completely & the traffic to ease until you build up the confidence & skill to get home safely

 

Enjoy it, better than being stuck in a car

 

Avoid riding into the sun for 30 minutes or less after sunrise, and for 30 minutes or less before sunset if you can manage it.

 

Don't underestimate how tired you can be after a day of work. I find as a new commuter I make more mistakes on the way home then when fresh in the morning. Being aware of your mental state helps counter the effects.

 

Wear all the gear that you ride to work with on the way home.

As the captain said, enjoy it.

 

Keep aware of every car around you. If you do need to quickly avoid some idiot who wasn't looking then at least you will know where the gaps are to squeeze into. Keep your wits about you at all times.

 

Pick the lane you need to be in eventually and stay in it. If its the "aaargh, how are they going slowly" lane, even better, you're less likely to be divebombed. Need to remember this myself

 

I don't claim to be an expert or an experienced rider for that matter. But my thoughts - Be hyper vigillant. Drivers (and you) are more tired on the way home and are more prone to do, on the most part unintentional, stupid things. My sense is that more people seem to use their phones on the way home for instance.

That said you will soon get used to it. I find commuting in the dark is fine - just scan the road surface a little more carefully as hazards are harder to see and watch for roos wherever they are likely to be. If it is raining on the commute I slow everything down and take an ultra-conservative approach - makes for a non-relaxing and not particularly enjoyable ride but in my head significantly reduces risk.

 

Double posted and can't work out how to delete

 

So how's the riding at night in peak hour going? Not quite so nervous about it now?

 

It's actually going well, the nerves have settled and I'm quite confident to ride in most traffic conditions now. Although I still need a bit more practice on the constant start/stop but I'm getting there

 

Good job! Keep at it and you'll be start/stop like a pro in no time! And from my humble experience with riding in peak hour darkness, always expect the unexpected so-to-speak.

 

Like the Spanish Inquisition ?

 

No one expects the spanish inquisition

Among our chief weapons are fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency. ....