Hello, I’m Eri from the web shop photo team! The sun is setting earlier now, and on cloudy evenings, it feels like it gets dark in the blink of an eye—almost to the point of being unsettling. Being "in the dark" brings a variety of risks for cyclists. Your field of vision narrows at night, significantly increasing the danger of falls and accidents compared to daytime, and it also heightens the risk of your bike being stolen.
So, this time, I’d like to introduce some necessary safety gear for riding your bike. That said, it’s not just about any safety gear; for those of you who want to select items with great design and functionality, here is the safety gear we’ve curated from a Circles perspective!
Illuminating the Path Ahead
BOOKMAN Block Light
With a max runtime of 25 hours and a lens that diffuses light to effectively illuminate the road ahead, this light is impressively reliable despite its small body. It comes in a wide variety of colors, making it great for matching with your bike or adding a pop of color for fun.
SON NABENDYNAMO Hubs
I’m sure many of you have had the experience of going out for a ride and forgetting your light or finding it out of battery. For those with touring experience, the sense of security that comes from having a bright path ahead as the sun sets and the sky turns dark is a familiar feeling. More than just being fast or light, hub dynamos are sturdy, reliable products designed to keep you safe from your daily commute to your long-distance tours.
Circles' wheel-building department, "Gorilla Spun," also accepts requests for custom wheel builds using hub dynamos!
Making Yourself Visible
PROFERRED ANSI Class2 Hi-Vis
When it comes to safety measures from us at Circles who love American gear, this is it↑. It’s the safety wear worn by people working in high-visibility environments like airports or construction sites. You see a lot of cyclists wearing this on night rides, and I love that it’s a product that transcends concepts like being "uncool." I want to be the kind of confident adult who can wear this proudly.
SAFETY PIZZA
A safety vest might be the most "correct" choice, but if you’re not mentally ready for that yet, I recommend this. Despite its cute appearance, it’s a reflector made with world-class materials used for emergency vehicles and safety clothing. Your custom-decorated PIZZA might just make the drivers heading home from work hungry!
Protecting Against Theft
OTTOLOCK Cinch Lock
Born in the U.S. in 2016, OTTOLOCK is a brand built on the concept of fulfilling the three things outdoor enthusiasts have always wanted: lightness, compactness, and sturdiness.
The Cinch Lock is extremely easy to use as it functions like a zip-tie. Since it’s a dial type, you don’t need to worry about carrying a key, making it highly recommended for long rides where you want to minimize your gear. With the combination of compactness and sturdiness, the OTTOLOCK might just be the optimal solution for a bike lock.
KRYPTONITE Keeper 12Mini-6
I’m sure many cyclists have at one point longed for a U-lock. Why is that? Perhaps it’s the style loved by real cyclists, or the fact that they’re perfect for city riding with frequent stops. What’s more, as seen by the number of people using them at the parking area for the MADE show this year, you can tell that they are trusted and used effectively even overseas where theft is prevalent. (It’s a fact of life that nothing is 100% safe, but it’s important to use things you can rely on.)
KNOG Scout Bike Alarm & Finder
The SCOUT is a groundbreaking bike security system that combines both alarm and tracking functions.
If there is movement in a bike equipped with a SCOUT, an alarm of up to 80dB is triggered. At the same time, it automatically sends a warning notification to the owner’s iPhone. If the stolen bike is left somewhere, you can pinpoint its location through integration with Apple’s Find My app.
With a long-lasting battery that lasts up to six months, a lightweight design, and a look that doesn't scream "security device," it keeps your precious bike safe from theft.
Protecting Your Body from Falls
Helmets
It’s been about two years since Monja wrote about this, and quite some time has passed since helmet use became mandatory. Looking around town, I feel like there are more people wearing helmets than before, and I hope the mindset that "convenient and fun cycling only exists because of safety" continues to take hold.
Many imported helmets are difficult to fit to the Japanese head shape, but POC and KPLUS (which is currently having a POPUP event here) offer "Asian Fit" options.
I don’t really think I have an unusually large head. Western-fit helmets fit me to some extent, but while riding, I’d wonder, "Huh? Why do my eyes or temples hurt?" Only to realize that the headache was caused by the helmet pressing against my skull! I nodded and accepted, "I am, indeed, Asian!"
Since it’s something you wear for long periods, I absolutely recommend something that fits perfectly, is light, and is safe. This is one item where I really recommend getting fitted in-store, but you can see our lineup here!
Protect your precious bike and your precious body, and let’s keep having fun and active rides!
