Make:

Ask MAKE is a weekly column where we answer reader questions, like yours. Write them in to becky@makezine.com or drop us a line on Twitter. We can't wait to tackle your conundrums!

This week's question comes from back-to-college student Andrew:

My class schedule this semester has me riding home at night, so I need some safety lights. The lights at the bike store are not only expensive, but unattractive. How can I make them myself?

I can't imagine a better combination than bikes and LEDs. You could build your bike light from scratch, or you could hack a dollar-store gadget to blink a few LEDs. We have lots of bike light projects here on MAKE to get you started. Be sure to keep an eye on our bicycle archives for the latest bike projects, too!

Battery-powered lights:

• How-To Tuesday: Mini bike light
• Make a LED Bike light system
  
• How-To: Make the ultimate 18v bike light!
  
• Antique bike light LED mod
  
• Tape case bike light
  
• How-To: Build a simple Luxeon LED bike headlight
  
• DIY: NES controller bike light
  
• DIY: High power LED bike light
  
• Convert your vintage bike light to LED power
  
• LED Bike helmet
  
• Home Depot homebrew bicycle headlamp AND a huge LED array
  
• HOW TO - Make a 40-LED bicycle light
  

Blinky lights! Use a 555 timer chip to make your rear light blink:

• 41 LED Flasher circuit using 555 IC
• The Biggest Little Chip from MAKE, Vol 10
• More 555 timer projects
  

Alternative energy bike lights:

• Contactless dynamo bike light
• How-To: Make a solar bike light
  
• No-friction bicycle dynamo light kit
  

Style points:

• Monkeylectric LED bike wheel lights
• Light up animated Pac-Man bicycle wheels
• CRAFT Video: LilyPad Arduino Bike Patch
• RGB SpokePOV
  
• Obama SpokePOV
  

Show us your bike lights! Post up a link to your styling safety lights in the comments.

This week's Ask MAKE has been sponsored by Jameco Electronics.