Reddit mentions of Cygolite Hotshot– 50 Lumen Bike Tail Light– 6 Night & Daytime Modes– User Tuneable Flash Speed– Compact Design– IP64 Water Resistant– Secured Hard Mount– USB Rechargeable– Great for Busy Roads

I usually find the Google maps estimate a bit generous - on a 25-minute estimate I might get 20 minutes, and ride 14-18mph on an upright hybrid. I know some people here on their road bikes ride faster.

Safety-wise, I actually would say your vest is even more important than lights. I personally prefer these straps. I've been using them for over 2 years. They light up like day, and don't overheat you in the summer like a full vest would while allowing you to layer multiple coats in the winter.

A nice 1000+lumen front light is another must - you want to not only be seen but in dark conditions to be able to see hazardous objects on the road, particularly a country road. This is the light I've been using for over 2 years (plus backup batteries to easily swap out), but anything bright will do. I prefer steady beam on my front light rather than having it blink - again for visibility.

For rear lights you (again) want something very bright and visible from far away, but that blinks. This is the one that I use, but again anything bright is good.

Good luck out there!

I made my first taillight out of a 12 volt trailer light I purchased from a autoparts store. It worked very well. It went well with a 12 volt LED flood light that I purchased from a electronics store and made a custom housing out of. Both ran off the same battery.

I also have the older version of this:

https://www.amazon.com/CygoLite-Hotshot-50-Rechargeable-Bicycle/dp/B013FIWBCS/sr=1-9&keywords=tail+light

Which is nice.

Tail lights are less important then headlights because typically you are going with traffic and thus are lit up by the headlights of the car behind you. The really dangerous cars are the cars coming towards you (they may turn left into a side road or drive way and hit you) and cars at a angle to you at intersections (driver may not see you and pull out in front of you).

As long as they are reasonably bright and can be seen for a ways away then you are gold. Bonus points if they can be seen from the side.

May also consider getting a helmet light.

A bright headlight on the handle bars and then a reasonably bright light on the helmet is a nice combo. This way you can turn to see things without turning your handle bars. Also by quickly looking at cars and pedestrians, how you tend to do naturally, you will also flash them making yourself more likely to be noticed. (which is also why you don't want a super bright light, don't want to blind them or ruin their night vision).

Adding a tail light to the helmet is really good idea as well which is good in case your main tail light is obscured by a rear rack, a long jacket, or something else.

Fenders: these or these

Rack: Axiom Transit

Lights: Front and tail. If you want a rack-mounted tail light: light and bracket.

Helmet: go to your LBS and try on a few. One-size-fits-all helmets are not as comfortable.

Other: I'd also recommend a puncture kit for when the inevitable happens. Tube, tire levers, CO2 inflator and cartridge.