Comments on: Night-time Cycling

By: Frank C

Frank C — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 11:38:35 +0000

I’m a convert. Been reading about air pollution…. my lungs feel like they have just had a clean… after an 11 pm ride. No more daytime rides in traffic for me

By: Katherin Brown

Katherin Brown — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 03:30:21 +0000

Just like driving, sometimes it’s better to drive at night than in daylight because of the calmness it gives and despite the danger that might happen. Just be sure that you have your long-lasting lights and reflective with you and stay vigilant. Thanks a lot for this blog!

By: LennyBoy

LennyBoy — Thu, 17 May 2018 03:45:01 +0000

In reply to Criggie. 15+ km to ride from my place to the airport; not what I want to do before hopping on a plane (or at the end of a long day). So I park up at the bus interchange after a much shorter ride.

By: Criggie

Criggie — Mon, 14 May 2018 01:01:07 +0000

Lennyboy – why don’t you ride to the airport? Or do you leave your bike at the bus station?

By: Criggie

Criggie — Mon, 14 May 2018 00:59:36 +0000

You missed some additional advantages…

The traffic lights often go onto sensor control rather than a timed schedule. So pick the right road and you could have the mythical Green Wave all the way.

Once warmed up, petrol engines feel extra peppy on a frosty cold morning, due to the increased oxygen density of the air. I’m positive there is a similar advantage to the rider too, once you hit the a steady state of cooling from airflow and muscle’s heat output. As long as its not cold enough to impact your breathing.

By: Anouk

Anouk — Mon, 14 May 2018 00:15:57 +0000

Biking in the dark is just magic! Whether it’s for commuting or sport. Especially a MTB ride gives you more confidence as you cannot see all the potential obstacles and suddenly you just get over them without any issues. Try to do it in daylight and you see what you actually achieved! Great mental boost. Road riding with your buddies creates a special connection as you need to be well lit up and look out for each other more than necessary.
But still the best is riding in the dark with your children. They hear noises and see things (nothing nasty) that they never would in the back of the car. Don’t forget to give them colourful spoke lights. Everybody loves those!

By: Anne

Anne — Fri, 11 May 2018 20:12:15 +0000

As a young woman who’s been biking daily for transport for over ten years, I absolutely agree that biking at night is safer than walking at night. I’ve had one single minor incident during these ten years, where a guy kind of lurched towards me from the footpath (still meters away though), waved his arms out and said something to the effect of “Bleurgh”. Just a stupid guy trying to give me a fright.
There are many places I feel comfortable riding at night that I would definitely not walk through, like Hagley Park.
And yes, the wide, traffic free streets are wonderful . It was my solace of sometimes working late back in Wellington, when finishing work at 9pm would see me sailing down the tree-lined lanes of Lambton Quay, no cars in sight – what a lovely way to end a day!

By: Sylvia

Sylvia — Fri, 11 May 2018 19:32:36 +0000

I love cycling at night, it so much quieter and the darkness seems to help with boosting your senses. Like smell, you notice the flowers scent and trees more. I am in London, UK. Your sentence about not coming across many people made me smile as years ago, I was driving in some parts of New Zealand and we could drive for quite sometimes before seeing another car. Sometimes none at all, just sharing the way with a train! Thanks for this blog!