In community, Fun, Portland

Summer is over, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun this fall! Halloween is coming up this month, and you know what that means! Candy, costumes, parties, and trying to forget the Christmas commercials you’re going to endure for the next two months.

You might be staying out on the road a little later than usual these coming weeks, what with Halloween parties or finding the best neighborhood to do your trick-or-treating (you’re never too old to like candy). Portland Pedal Power wants to remind you that even though you may think your Zombie-Batman costume stands out among the crowd, People on the road might not be looking for the undead Dark Knight… in the dark night.

One of the most important things we can do when we’re on the road is make sure we are seen. Here’s a couple of ideas you might want to implement if you’re out celebrating All Hallows Eve a little late:

Illuminate: Flashlights, flashlights, flashlights! Make sure you’ve got some source of light while you’re on the road. You probably know your regular routes by heart, but that doesn’t mean everyone else on the road knows you’re there. If you’re looking for some new additions, take a look at these great lights from Knog. Knog has some great products that are easy to clip on your bike, and as we said in prior blogs, the lights are all rechargeable through USB.

If you want to add some lights to your wheels, check out Monkeylectric, a kickstarter group down in California. These guys have some fantastic designs, from basic rings of patterns to the classic Space Invaders, even Rosie the Riveter! You can be a little creative and keep yourself visible at the same time.

Reflect: Even in the darkest hours, reflective strips can usually be seen even with the smallest light sources. O2 Rainware based in Minneapolis has some great rain gear which has a lot of visibility. Odds are it’s going to be raining, so we might as well be prepared for both occasions.

If you’re looking for some style, check out these reflective ankle straps offered by North St. Bags. These straps come in a huge variety of colors, from goldenrod to bone white to “toast.” Yes, there is a color called toast! These straps are easy and stylish to wear and easy to see from a distance. Everyone wins!

If you’re more of a sticker kind of a person, check out these reflective bike decals from Brooklyn-based company Rydsafe. These decals are easy to apply and can hold up to at least seven years of weather. Designs range from simple hexagons to dolphins to moustaches, if thats your kind of style. You can even order your own custom designs.

Above all, have a Happy Halloween. If you dress up, show us your costume on Twitter, @pxpedpow or Facebook! Bonus points if you show us how you stayed safe while on the road.