Whether you like to ride in towns, the open road, or off-road; making sure that you pick the correct bike lights and set them up correctly will make riding conditions much safer when the sun goes down.
Road and commuter lights
When cycling on the road after dark, you must have front and rear lights on your bike. When cycling on lit roads you only need lights to be seen rather than to see by. But on unlit roads you will also need a more powerful light to illuminate the road ahead of you.
Off road lights
When going off-road it’s best to use more powerful lights than on the road with a wider spread at the front to illuminate the path ahead and any obstacles.
Front Lights
Carefully chose your front light for the type of night riding you’ll be doing. In urban areas its main purpose is to make you easy to see, a light with 100 lumens will suffice. In unlit areas you’ll need a more powerful light to help you see road conditions and hazards ahead, lights of 400-700 lumens are best suited for this. More powerful lights are widely available, but consider other road users who you may dazzle.
Rear Lights
The purpose of a rear light is to be seen, which is why they are less powerful than many front lights. Make sure your rear light is at least 50 lumens so you can be seen from a distance. Most manufacturers abide by industry agreed limits for brightness, so your main considerations are the size of the light and battery life.
Helmet Lights
Many riders also attach a light to their helmet to help them see where they’re looking , which is often different to the direction the handlebars are pointing. This is very helpful off-road, but be considerate on the road as the power of many modern lights can easily dazzle other road users. Look for small and light lights to avoid carrying too much weight on your head.
Flashing lights
Provided lights flash between 60 and 240 times a minute, they are legal. Recent research indicates they make you more visible to motorists and therefore make you safer.
Backup lights or batteries
It’s difficult to know when your batteries might run out, so consider carrying spare batteries or a pair of small backup lights. They don’t take up much room and can get you out of trouble.
Fitting bike lights
For security reasons, most bike lights are designed to be fitted and removed from your bike without tools. It is generally best to hang front lights below your handlebars leaving more room on top for your hands. Make sure that front lights point down slightly to avoid dazzling other road users. Most rear lights attach to the bike’s seat-post, but take care they are not obscured by saddlebags or coats.
The safer the better
When you’ve set up your front and rear lights, consider other ways to improve your visibility. Hi-Vis clothing can make a huge improvement to being seen on your bike, and reflective tape can help motorists spot you sideways on.