Lighten Up Boulder

Biking can be a great way to travel all year around. However, as fall sets in and daytime light is reduced, visibility is very important especially when riding at night.

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Stay safe, stay seen!

Use proper lights and reflective gear to stay visible while riding between dusk and dawn, year-round.

The Boulder Revised Code requires all people biking traveling between sunset and sunrise to equip their bikes with both a mounted white light on the front and a red reflector on the back (B.R.C. 7-5-11: Bicycle Headlight and Reflector Required). Scooters and other similar devices should also have lights.

Riding at night

  • Use a white front light, red rear blinking light at night or when visibility is poor.
  • Wear bright colors and/or reflective gear.
  • Add sidelight or reflectors on wheels to be more visible.
  • A stronger headlight (300 lumens or above) is recommended on multi-use paths, where light is low and is much darker at night than compared to city streets.

Walking at night

  • Wear light-colored or reflective clothing, especially in stormy weather or at night. Carry a flashlight at night to see and be seen.
  • At a crosswalk, only cross when the "start crossing" symbol is on. It's illegal to enter a crosswalk when a steady "don't walk" symbol or flashing red hand symbol is on. If you are close to an intersection with a traffic signal, you must cross at the crosswalk.
  • Where a sidewalk ends or where there are no sidewalks, walk on the outside edge of the roadway, facing traffic.
  • At intersections, make sure motorists have seen you before you step off the curb. Don't assume they will see you or stop.

More information about walking in Boulder.