What is an essential safety practice when riding at night?

Wearing reflective clothing is an essential safety practice when riding at night because it significantly enhances a rider's visibility to other drivers. At night, visibility is drastically reduced, and many drivers may not notice a motorcycle on the road if it's not adequately illuminated or visible. Reflective clothing helps to ensure that riders can be seen from a distance, which is crucial for safety. This visibility can alert drivers, allowing them more time to react, thus reducing the risk of accidents.

In contrast, riding without lights is dangerous as it greatly diminishes visibility, both for the rider and for other vehicles, effectively increasing the likelihood of collisions. Following closely behind other vehicles can be hazardous as it reduces the rider's ability to react to sudden stops or changes in traffic, and it also puts them at risk of being tailgated. Keeping a steady speed without adjustments does not account for the changing conditions on the road, which can vary significantly at night, thus potentially leading to unsafe riding situations.