Lights and visibility: the only equipment that matters
Why bike lights matter more than helmets, gloves, or any other equipment — and the small kit that actually keeps you visible on the road.
Bike lights are the single piece of equipment with the largest measurable safety effect. Studies repeatedly show that running daytime lights front and rear cuts crash rates significantly, even on bright sunny days. Helmets, hi-vis vests, and gloves all matter, but lights matter more.
What works
Front: a 600+ lumen rechargeable with a wide beam. Rear: a flashing red, ideally one with a side-visibility pattern. Both should be USB-rechargeable; replaceable batteries are a maintenance burden you will eventually skip.
Run them in daytime mode all day. The hassle is zero and the effect is large.