Let's not leave out the option of simply not using fixed, always-on lighting in many locations. The evidence for safety benefits from it is generally mixed: *

Let's not leave out the option of simply not using fixed, always-on lighting in many locations. The evidence for safety benefits from it is generally mixed: * There's definitely a benefit to lighting pedestrian crosswalks, though that benefit might be increased if the lighting is triggered by a pedestrian pressing a button before crossing. * There is a benefit where vehicles are prone to hit fixed objects or drive off the side of a curve, but reflectors or low-output marker lights can provide that benefit in many cases. * There does not appear to be a reduction in crime from installing fixed lighting in public places. Criminals require light to select victims and break in to vehicles or structures. Some studies have shown reductions in crimes; others have shown increases. Most show no significant effect. In addition, the capabilities of portable lighting have increased dramatically since most of our cultural assumptions about street lighting came to be. A pocket-sized bicycle light powered by a modern LED and an 18650 Li-ion battery can provide a generous amount of light for urban riding all night long and then some and recharge from a MicroUSB cable in a few hours.