While the event is coming up with solutions to make up for this issue, bikes are still a very important mode of transportation, whether in the daytime or nighttime. When it comes to getting top-quality bike lights for Burning Man, you want to get something that is both flashy yet also useful in the dark desert when nighttime comes around. In this article, we’ll go over a few of these to determine which might be the best for you.
Headlights
Victagen bike headlights are ideal for burners that are traveling at night and need a safe method of transportation. Since the desert gets very dark outside during this time of the year, it is important for riders to have complete visibility as to where they are going. This is doubly true for the number of people that are out and about at night. Stumbling into a walking couple or individual is bound to happen without the proper headlights installed and these bike headlights can make all the difference.
Tail lights
The great thing about Ascher tail lights is that they are rechargeable and have multiple light mode options that vary based on brightness. The tail lights themselves can be charged while you are in your tent at your laptop, so by the time nighttime rolls around, you will be able to clip your headlights onto your bike and ride on without fear of not being seen as you ride around on the crowded grounds.
Spoke lights
Spoke lights are great for people of all ages that want to add a little bit of pizzazz to their bike riding experience. Activ Life wheel lights come in multiple different colors to match your vibe and approach to the event. You can even mix and match to create a true spectacle as you ride through the playa.
Wheel lights
WheelBrightz is one of the most popular LED wheel lights that you can find people zipping around the playa on during the festival. They consist of 20 micro-LED lights that, while spinning, can create a brilliant flash of color that will turn you into your own art installation. The colors can be mixed and matched according to your style.
If you think ahead as to how you want your “personal” installation to look as it gets darker outside, you can come up with some pretty impressive concepts that are sure to stun other guests in the desert.
The LEDs can last up to 48 hours, so make sure to turn them off when not in use. Additionally, the lights are weather-resistant, so if you find yourself in a bit of a dust storm, you will still be able to show off your cool wheels.
LED strip lights
LED strip lights like the DANCRA LED bike frame are excellent choices for customizing the look of your bike. In addition to adding to the overall artistic expression of your bike, they also serve as visibility guides for others who may not see you reading during dusk and nighttime hours in the desert. Up to 19 different color variations can be achieved which can make your bike riding and viewing experience that much more striking. Installation is also quite easy and can be done in just a few minutes.
But that’s not all. These LED light strips can also be placed into different light modes like “dynamic”, “static”, “flashing”, “jumping”, and many others to really allow your design to stand out as you make your way to and from different events.
DIY
Nothing speaks more to the spirit of Burning Man by just doing it yourself and helping others with their bike lights. The good people over at Playa Labs have come up with some pretty interesting solutions for when the need to create your own bike lights comes into play. While some of these materials can be easy to find at Burning Man (and some not so much), it can be a great way to bond with your fellow burners while you create cool and interesting bike designs that are personal to you and forge memories at the same time.
Christmas lights
While they are not the ideal light to use, there is a strong chance you will find many artistic burners bringing them to design their tents or even for their own art installations. You might get lucky in trading for them and then designing your own bike lights in a creative way. Be careful, however, as the bulbs and wire can yank out of the battery pack if you don’t install them properly. The trick is to attach duct tape to the wire in order to prevent it from being yanked out as you ride.
EL Wire
Neon EL wire can be wrapped around your bike in multiple different ways to create a customized look. The different lighting modes, like solid, flash, and fast flash can provide an additional distinction that greatly adds to your appearance. In order to attach them, you’ll need to use a combination of zip-ties, snips, and double A batteries. Working together with your fellow burners will make installation easy.
Monkey Lights
While these are quite difficult to find, if you look hard enough around the playa, you might find someone willing to trade for these awesome lights. A staple of Burning Man of years past, these lights can actually move in animated patterns as you ride. These lights are arguably the coolest type of light there is.
Bicycles have been a staple of Burning Man since its inception in 1986. With transportation a necessity to go from event to event during the week-long event, bicycles are essential to the proper functioning of the community. While safety through having the proper headlights and taillights will always be important, the ability to design your bike with LED spokes and DIY Christmas light decorations can be an opportunity to create your own work of art and bond even closer to others at the same time.
