Don’t Be a Darkwad: Light Up Your Bike at Burning Man

If you’ve been to Burning Man before, you’ve heard the term: Darkwad. It’s not a compliment. It’s what Burners call someone who moves around at night with no lights—completely invisible and unintentionally dangerous on the Playa. Whether you're walking, riding, or dancing your way across the dust after sunset, visibility is everything. Lighting up your bike isn’t just a style choice—it’s a community responsibility.

Why Lighting Up Matters

The Playa turns into a surreal, glowing city after dark, but it also becomes chaotic and disorienting. Bikes zip by, art cars drift like neon whales through the night, and the dust can obscure vision fast. Without proper lighting, you're practically invisible. A well-lit bike:

• Prevent Accidents: With thousands of bikes and art cars moving in the dark, being seen is crucial.
• Be Found: It's much easier for your friends to spot you in a crowd when your ride glows.
• Contribute to the Vibe: Lighting up adds to the Playa’s surreal and beautiful nighttime environment.

People spend weeks (even months) preparing their outfits and art cars, but often overlook their bikes. And at Burning Man, your bike is your main mode of transportation. Treat it like the art piece it deserves to be.

VeloGlow: Designed for the Playa

At VeloGlow, we designed our LED wheel light kits with the Playa in mind. They’re bright, durable, easy to install, and rechargeable—ideal for long nights of adventuring. Multi-color modes let you express your mood or match your camp theme. Whether you’re cruising to the Temple or dancing until sunrise at Robot Heart, your ride will be glowing strong.

VeloGlow lights were designed for one of our first trips to Burning Man. Our goal was to be the brightest people on the playa at night.  It worked better than expected and some of our team earned a couple nicknames that year. They also keep the group together at night, being able to see each other a mile away or in a dust storm. We were able to stay together for a night of fun.

Unlike some basic clip-on lights that can fall off or fail in the dust, VeloGlow kits wrap your wheels in vivid light that stands out in every direction. You’ll be seen from afar—and admired up close.

The VeloGlow Difference

At VeloGlow, we’re all about safety with style. Our LED wheel light kits are:

• Bright, durable, and dust-resistant
• Rechargeable with long-lasting power
• Easy to install
• Color-changing with multiple light modes

They’re designed with the Playa in mind—just ask our customers who’ve ridden from Center Camp to deep playa and back, lit up and loving it.

Cheaper Alternatives (If You're on a Budget)

Not ready to go full VeloGlow just yet? No problem. There are a few budget-friendly options that will keep you visible:

• EL Wire (Electroluminescent Wire): Flexible and affordable, you can wrap this around your bike frame or basket. Just remember the inverter needs batteries and isn’t super bright.
• USB Fairy Lights: Available online or in craft stores, these lights can be taped to your frame or spokes. They’re cheap and effective—just not super durable.
• Spoke Reflectors + Clip-On LEDs: Found at most bike shops, these won’t light up the night like VeloGlow, but they’re better than nothing.

Whatever you choose, make sure it lasts the whole night and is rechargeable or replaceable. The Playa has no streetlights—you are your own lighthouse.

Pro Tip: Whatever lighting method you choose, test your setup before hitting the Playa. Always pack extra zip ties, batteries, and chargers.

Join the ranks of glowing Burners and ditch the darkwad label for good. 

Burning Man is a place of expression and participation. Your bike is your ride, your identity, and your moving art piece. Lighting it up is one of the easiest ways to stay safe, connect with others, and contribute to the event’s magic.

VeloGlow LED kits make sure you're never invisible—and always unforgettable.

Shop VeloGlow Kits Now and be Playa-ready.