There are many light/radar combos like Garmin’s Varia RTL515, but this one is tough to beat. It’s consistently on sale for 25 percent off, and it’s hard to beat. Garmin’s rear-facing radar system—and many others like it—pair with your head-unit, giving you an early visual and audible warning when cars are approaching. That’s why many of us in the office treat bike radars like helmets: we rarely ride without them.
Our very own Dan Chabanov tested a number of cycling lights late last year, and NiteRider’s Lumina 1200 OLED front light proved to have the best battery life. While it outputs 1,200 lumens at its brightest setting, the Lumina also offers nine power settings to optimize battery life—along with an OLED screen that displays remaining battery life. When you reach critical battery levels, it dims the brightness to extend your battery life and still gives you enough light to make it home safely.
Normally used to make a trailer’s backside more visible, this reflective tape is the most cost-effective item on this list. Many of you who commute to work on two wheels will know that you’re normally on the road before the sun comes up. That’s where this reflective tape can prove invaluable, reflecting the illumination from a set of headlights back at the driver. I can attest to adding what felt like a whole roll of the stuff onto my backpack in college when I’d commute to and from campus daily.
While tons of brands make high-vis cycling apparel with reflective sections, we gravitated toward Castelli’s Squadra vest for its no-frills approach. It’s currently on sale for $56, which is what we’d call reasonable for a basic wind vest. The coated ripstop fabric—with several reflective sections sewn in—will help block wind and spray while still allowing it to pack down small.
Earth tones have become all the rage for cycling apparel, and while it’s certainly fashionable, you’re effectively camouflaging yourself with the surrounding terrain. I’m guilty of this myself, and that’s where bright accent pieces are a great way to remain visible. I’ll often sport a high-vis orange or green vest similar to the one above, along with a pair of bright gloves. Along with keeping your hands warm and toasty, bright gloves will also make your hand signals more visible to the drivers around you.
Matt Crisara is a native Austinite who has an unbridled passion for cars and motorsports, both foreign and domestic. He was previously a contributing writer for Motor1 following internships at Circuit Of The Americas F1 Track and Speed City, an Austin radio broadcaster focused on the world of motor racing. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona School of Journalism, where he raced mountain bikes with the University Club Team. When he isn’t working, he enjoys sim-racing, FPV drones, and the great outdoors.
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