Motorcycle & bicycle in autumn: staying safe in the dark and on wet roads

A low autumn sun, earlier dusk, wet leaves on the road: according to ADAC, accident risk for motorcyclists and cyclists rises noticeably in autumn. What that means for visibility, braking behaviour and gear — and what actually matters in the dark and on wet roads.

Two risks combine in autumn: it gets dark earlier and wet more often. Both change how well other road users can see you — and how much grip your tyres still find. For motorcyclists and cyclists this matters twice as much, since both are more exposed than someone in a car.

Motorcycle: visibility and glare in autumn

The low autumn sun noticeably changes light and visibility conditions — glare risk increases, both for the rider and for oncoming or overtaking drivers.

On top of that, other road users already find it easier to miss motorcycles because of their narrow silhouette – according to ADAC, this effect gets even stronger during the dark season. So the rule is: dipped headlights on at all times, even during the day, and where possible a bit more safety distance so there's still reaction time if you do get missed.

The view through the helmet matters just as much: the visor must be clean and free of scratches, since both amplify glare from a low sun or oncoming traffic. A Pinlock visor insert prevents fogging far better than a standard visor — a real difference given the gap between cold outside air and warm breath.

Motorcycle: wet roads, leaves and braking behaviour

Especially in the morning hours, expect a slippery road surface from moisture and frost. Wet leaves can get extremely slippery – lower road temperature additionally reduces tyre grip.

Careful riding and a sensitive touch on the brakes are essential in these weeks; extreme lean angles are absolutely off-limits. Braking should be finished before turning into a bend, so the front wheel stays under control instead of being caught out mid-corner.

Tyre pressure and tread should be checked before every autumn ride – with less grip from cold and wet, worn tread is the difference between braking safely and sliding.

Cold also dulls finger sensitivity, a real disadvantage for modulated braking. Heated, waterproof gloves keep hands warm without limiting how precisely you can work the brake and clutch.

For a clear view through the visor in rain and fog, dedicated visor cleaning wipes clean streak-free without attacking anti-fog or scratch-resistant coatings.

Bicycle: lighting and visibility in the dark season

A white front light and a red rear light are mandatory, along with reflectors at the front (white), rear (red) and on the pedals (yellow). Anyone without a fixed lighting system must retrofit battery-powered lights – these must be approved for road use and must not dazzle other road users.

In practice that means: an approved bicycle light set for front and rear belongs in your bag from the start of autumn – waterproof and rechargeable saves the hassle of swapping batteries in any weather.

Beyond the mandatory kit, bright, reflective clothing is recommended. Reflective sleeves and gloves are especially effective, because they make hand signals for turning visible in good time. Moving reflectors on feet or pedals have an extra benefit: drivers recognise the pedalling motion of a cyclist from a distance.

A rain poncho with built-in reflectors combines both in one piece of clothing: protection from wet weather and better visibility at dusk, such as this rain poncho with reflectors. Reflectors attached to the helmet or a battery-powered rear light are also worthwhile.

Bicycle: wet roads and leaves

Changing weather conditions in autumn also affect a bicycle's braking performance. In rain or on slippery leaves, adjust your speed accordingly and start braking earlier than usual.

Special tyres with a siped tread pattern – comparable to winter tyres on a car – further improve grip on wet, slippery roads. Anyone riding through winter is also allowed to use dedicated studded tyres.

ADAC: Motorradfahren im Herbst und Winter · ADAC: Sichtbarkeit von Radfahrern im Herbst