I thought this week I'd write a little about bike lights. This might not be a subject close to your heart. It's certainly not as exciting as say talking about your favourite chocolate (perhaps I'll try and write that one next week), but bike lights are so crucial they can literally mean the difference between life and death.

I usually cycle into town of an evening, but occasionally get the bus. What shocks me looking out the window is how invisible cyclists are.

I'd always just used the small standard lights and worn my usual dark coloured coat, but I felt a real chill of fear at how easy it would be for a car or bus driver not to notice me.

But what do different light types matter - a light is a light, right? Well, not any more.

Did you know in the past, lights could cost up to a pound an hour in batteries, only lasting five hours?

Technology has come so far that these days LED bulbs in bike lights use so little power batteries can last 20-50 hours.

Also, because lights are flashing, the light lasts longer, and if you choose a brighter light or a light with more bulbs, then you can use rechargeable batteries so saving lots of money.

If you imagine how long it takes you to cycle home or to meet mates at the pub, then the lights are on for very little time.

Of course, things are a little different if you live in the sticks or are doing a night cycle ride. You may need a brighter light for the front of your bike to spot those potholes.

In Oxford, I'm not sure if it's the people I hang out with but people seem to put their latest lights on the table in pubs - like mobile phones, these dinky lights are status symbols.

Lights that you bash together to switch on and off, magnetic lights or the latest cool toy, The Frog - yes, it is still a light and looks nothing like a frog (and no amphibians have suffered in the making) but they're cute and trendy and come in many colours - check them out at the bike workshop on Magdalen road.

Small single LED bulbs are best used as back-up lights. Flashing ones really work on getting other vehicles to notice you. And remember, you need to be seen by other bikes too, not just cars and buses.

My favourite back light is one I ordered online. It looks like some sort of '80s throwback but it's solar, waterproof (they can be fitted in swimming pools!), and it has multiple attachments with it so you can wear it on elastic round your arm or leg as well as the standard fit to the seat pole.

You stick the light on the windowsill by day and even through the winter, it shines long enough for your evening ride home.

These days - and especially if I'm cycling with the kids - I take an extra back light as well as always making sure we've all got yellow jackets.