Bells and Whistles - Safety Lights & Horns

All the Lights, Bells and Whistles to help keep you safe!

As we enter Marathon Season, many of us may be training before the sun comes up and even after it sets. While we are aware of the light restrictions, it does not keep us from running outdoors as opposed to using an indoor treadmill. Still there is a need to be both seen and heard while tripping the lights not so fantastic. I have a few suggestions for both runners, walkers and cyclists who want extra visibility and safety out there in the dark. Here is some new gear to consider this fall.

Vespertine NYC Vest

Vespertine Vests are made right in NYC and are extremely light and easy to incorporate with your current running gear. Folds into it's own little built in pouch so you can keep it with you in your bag. Easily fits over both fitness and outer-wear, i.e. bulkier coats and jackets. Gives you 360 degree reflectivity while walking, running or cycling. See them all at VespertineNYC.

Lights, Action!

Shoe Safety Clip Light - Power Spurs
Kick up and LIGHT UP your heels with these! These are very easy to use and clip securely to your running/walking or bicycle shoe heel. Choose steady green or flashing with just a press of a button.Weather resistant. I would not recommend these for use on leather running shoes as the little gripper could scratch the finish. Otherwise for most shoes these are a win. Cool runnings from www.4id.com

Bike Lights & Reflective Wear

On the NYC Bike Path: CatEye's latest & brightest tail light, the TL-LD 1100 & Portland Design Work's Danger Zones both clip onto bikes, backpacks, panniers and jackets for optimum day & night visibility.

Danger Zones clip on easily to your gear or bike

Fall outdoor activities mean cooler weather but also less light due to rainy conditions and shorter days.  You really want to make sure to be seen on the roadways when you take your morning jog or bicycle ride/commute.

One of the best ways to do that is to mount very bright lights on yourself if you're walking or your bicycle if you're riding.  The two that I showed in the film were some of the best and brightest I've found.  CatEye's TD-LD 1100 Tail Light and the Danger Zone lights from Portland Design Works.  Each offers a choice of three operating modes which include flashing and steady but the PDW Danger Zone has this crazy "A-Ha!" sequence that is just soooo cool!  Better still they are both rain resistant and these LED's are SUPER bright even during the day.

CatEye's TD-LD 1100 LED Tail Light

PDW's Danger Zones on a Basil Basket

The toe & heel of the Synchro Guide has reflective details.

Needless to say, clothing and bags with built in reflective strips are going to be very important in low light situations. Terry Precision Cycling has a clothing line with pieces that have reflective accents on them.  Terry's new Signal Hoodie has reflective right & left sleeves and is a bright red.


I like to make sure that my performance shoes have light reflectors as well and my Pearl Izumi Synchro Guide and Sperry Topsider SB-1070 running shoes both have large light sensitive panels for high visibility.

NEW!  Terry's Signal Hoodie is bright and easy to spot on the road.  Plus the left and right sleeves are reflective. Reflective Backpacks are available from DontGetHit.com.

Really, there's no excuse to go out without proper lights either on yourself or your bike.  New York City law requires a bike to have both a working head and tail light when riding at night. You'll find most other cities have the same restrictions.

I've found one website operated by Bright Ideas that offers very affordable lights for walking, running and cycling.  Below is their Planet Bike dupe, a really great 3 watt Rechargeable LED Bicycle Headlight.  It has high & low beam plus flashing that can be seen for over a mile away even during the daytime. At night, you will feel safe on even the darkest roads.  You can also add extra visibility by wearing a reflective vest, backpack or shoulder straps found at Don't Get Hit.

We're all trying to stay healthy.  If we use lights and reflective wear, we can extend our cross training time into the night.  That, for many of us is precious since our days are often packed with other responsibilities that eat up our time.  This is one way to be safer out there so you can come home. 

Rechargeable LED Headlight from Bright Ideas