Commuting by bike?

soon I'll need to get a bike light for the return trip in the evening...

<br><br>If you can afford it deffinitely go with an HID light. I have tried a couple other lights and they have all worked well but nothing compares to an HID. It's like having your own little patch of day light right in front of you.<br><br>I have the Nite Rider helmit mounted version, I believe it is called the Storm. It's nice because the light shines where you are looking. And it get's the attention of motorist real quick. Nite Ride has also jumped on the bandwagon and are now offering HID/LED light's. I don't now if this is really useful, probably another gadget to go wrong.<br><br>The one down side that I have found to the HID light's is that the bulb is very delicate and spendy. I think I have dropped my helmit, with the light on it, 4 times now. Each time the bulb brock. These bulbs are about $60 each. So going with the handlebar mounted light may be a better way to go if you tend to fumble with gear. <br><br>

And I agree that biking in the rain sucks.

<br><br>And biking in the rain doen't suck that bad. I like being one of the only riders out there when it is pouring and freezing.<br><br>Aaron<br>

These bulbs are about $60 each. So going with the handlebar mounted light may be a better way to go if you tend to fumble with gear.

<br><br>Yikes. And I drop my bike about as often as I drop my helmet!<br>

I somewhat inconsistently commute by bike -- Mine is a short (10 KM) ride from the Factoria area to Redmond.  <br><br>I use the a pair of Cateye HL-EL500 1 Watt 1000 candle power LED lights up front and a pair of Vista LED lights in the rear.<br><br>Those HID lights produce a huge amount of light -- sufficient for riding rough single track in dark woods at high speed.  <br><br>My needs are more modest.  I find the light from the HL-EL500 's to be suffcient for my moderate speed commute over a mixture of suburban streets and the 520 bike trail. <br><br>One big plus of the LED based lights is that one set of batteries lasts several weeks of my commute.<br><br>Riding in the rain isn't so bad with fenders on the bike and decient raingear. Shoe covers make a big difference -- and so does a mudflap on the front fender. These can be easy crafted from the side of a plastic milk jug and attached with a zip-tie. The mudflap not only protects your feet -- but it dramatically reduces the amount of gunk that gets thrown onto the chain -- lengthing the interval between cleanings.<br><br>

Use to. Even had a brief sixty workday streak once. But there is so much traffic with little shoulder between Mill Creek and the Burke Gilman now I just dont feel safe even in a daylight commute anymore. Suggestions? Any light bulbs going off?? Im stumped short of leaving at 3 AM or bus hopping. PS I really like moderate single track at night in drizzle.

I bike commute to Children's Hosp. from our place, about 4 miles. Not bad. They're very supportive...they have lockers, showers, and they even PAY me to not take my car to work...thanks Steph (another TAYer). I throw my bike on the bus as a when my long 12hr shifts get longer, rain delays etc. I mostly ride the bus in the winter though, the dark B-G is to scary for a little girl like me. Everyone should talk to their work about supporting those who do alternative commutes...You're saving them $$$ by not filling their lots.

I commuted by bike frequently when I worked on Lake Union several years ago. Burke Gilman Trail, Fremont Bridge. After my son was born and started daycare, I went back to driving. I enjoyed biking in the dark or in foul weather because it felt like elemental nature--sort of like a trip to the mountains. But I drew the line when it rained so hard that the water obscured the cracks in the city streets. Riding in those conditions gives me the creeps.