A reflector is easy to overlook until mud covers it or its bracket turns sideways. Before riding at dusk, look at the bicycle from the front, rear and both sides: are the reflective surfaces clean, firmly attached and visible to passing traffic? After a wet ride, a few minutes spent wiping away grime and checking the mounts can restore a part of the bicycle’s visibility that is often taken for granted.
Alignment matters as much as a clean surface. Front and rear reflectors should face the traffic approaching from their respective directions, while spoke reflectors should sit in the plane of the wheel so they can be seen from the side. Check again after fitting a bag, mudguard or rack: new equipment can hide a reflector or a lamp without the rider noticing. A loose bracket or damaged reflective surface deserves attention before the next ride.
Reflectors return light only when another vehicle’s lamps or street lighting reach them. They therefore cannot stand in for a working front and rear lamp. Switch on both lights before setting off, check that they remain secure and confirm that their batteries have enough charge. This short routine pairs passive reflection with active lighting and makes the bicycle easier to notice from more than one angle.