Do not go gentle into that good night: Three mighty bike lights to slice through the darkness of autumn

This time of year, cycling becomes about getting ready for the darker, colder months ahead, whether that means investing in warmer gear, training harder to tackle those harsh winter headwinds, or — and this consideration is a month or so away, but it’s worth thinking about — picking up a pair of knobbier tires to better handle slush and ice.

First things first, though: it also, and critically, means making sure you can be seen as daylight dims.

We almost get spoiled by the summer months, with the sun dawning before 6 o’clock in the morning and remaining high in the sky until well into the evening, leaving us plenty of time to get in morning and evening rides amid full visibility. Like with anything else related to our favourite pursuit, though, the only major consideration as the seasons change is to ensure our gear remains up to date — and when it comes to lighting, there’s plenty to choose from.

Here’s a look at a few options to keep you seen and seeing as the days and nights grow darker.

LIGHT & MOTION TAZ 1200 LED LIGHT

In terms of seeing vs. being seen, this light falls on the former end of that scale, and for good reason. It’s a lightweight, contoured device, fitting most handlebars, but it packs a serious luminary punch. With four lighting levels, the Taz 1200’s three LED bulbs generate a maximum light output of 1,200 lumens, enough to light darkened streets and shadowy trails alike. There’s also the convenience of its design, with USB recharging making powering up as simple as plugging into a computer.

The Light & Motion Tax 1200 LED light is available at MEC. $299.00.

MJ-816-L2 MAGICSHINE 1800 LUMEN BIKE LIGHT

To look at this light, you’d think it was some sort of adorable cartoon character, with two smaller lights flanking a larger centre one that appear to make a face. That said, of course, this is one bike light that — when activated, at least — you most definitely do not want to be staring at. With 1,800 lumens of power, it would be something like staring directly at the sun or into the fireball of a nuclear blast — or into the handlebar-mounted equivalent of either, at any rate. The light also includes three adjustable levels of brightness, and an energy-efficient LED lifespan of over 50,000 hours after a 3-3.5 hour charge. Not bad for a light whose beam can pierce 800 metres of darkness.

The MJ 816-L2 Magicshine 1800 retails for 180.00

BONTRAGER ION 35 BIKE LIGHT

Sometimes, it’s not about cutting a swath through the darkness and the late-fall mist, but — especially if you’re a city rider — having something strong enough on your handlebars that you can be seen while drivers, while not so strong that you may blind them. The Bontrager Ion 35 fits that description nicely, with a high-powered, environmentally-friendly .5 watt LED providing its luminosity in a convenient, versatile package. The focused optics of the light certainly make you visible on the road, but also provide a 270-degree range of vision — facilitated by high, low and flashing modes. A convenient mounting bracket, meanwhile, allows for quick adjustment and removal.

The Bontrager Ion 35 retails for $30.99.