Bicycle lighting - what is worth knowing?

Bicycle lights make us visible at dusk and on cloudy days. The law requires a front and rear light on your bike, but it's worth equipping it with additional lighting. This will increase your safety and allow other road users to spot you in time. Bicycle lights are just as effective in the city, in the mountains, as they are on long treks or fast road rides. There are many solutions available on the market, so every cyclist will find something for themselves.

Bicycle lighting – legal regulations

The Road Traffic Code specifies precisely what bicycle lights cyclists must be equipped with. These must be front lamps with white or yellow light, with either a steady or flashing mode. A bicycle lamp should also be located at the rear, but it must be red. This will make you more visible when cycling at night, making your ride safer. Bicycle lights must also be supplemented with red reflectors at the rear. Bicycle lights must be functional when riding at night, in tunnels, and when it's cloudy or when weather conditions reduce visibility. The legislature also specifies how the lights must be mounted. Their height must be no less than 25 centimeters and no more than 150 cm. The power generated by these bicycle lights should make you visible from a distance of 150 meters. Once these requirements are met, you can hit the road with a clear conscience.

Bicycle lights - power supply

The power source for your bike light depends on your activity. You can choose from traditional disposable batteries, rechargeable batteries, induction power, or a dynamo. This first method of powering your bike is ideal for infrequent cycling and long trekking trips. Battery-powered bike lights aren't particularly eco-friendly, but they're often much better than rechargeable batteries when you don't have access to recharging. Furthermore, for multi-day rides or overnight stays outdoors, batteries are available at any store. Of course, you can supplement battery-powered bike lights with a solar panel to recharge them. However, this is a more expensive solution and only works for the most minimalist trips to regions of the world with few shops. A battery-powered bike light is perfect for your daily commute. Then, you can simply charge it via a USB cable while you're on the go. Bicycle lights available on the market can also be powered by induction. This is achieved using magnets located in the wheel and the motion that acts on them. This solution is best suited for city bikes due to the heavier weight of the entire charging unit and its limited power. A bicycle lamp powered by a dynamo is perfect for everyday use. You can also use it on long bike rides. You can mount the dynamo on the wheel, which is the traditional mounting method. There are also dynamos available that mount to the wheel's fist. This is a more expensive solution, but it provides a lot of power to the bike light and doesn't cause any drag while riding. A dynamo isn't always a good option for those looking to minimize their gear's weight. However, if you're going off-road for a few days and carrying a tent and food, a few extra grams won't make a difference.

LED bike light – high energy efficiency

Traditional incandescent bulbs have become obsolete due to their excessive power consumption, which is not very effective on a bicycle. LED bicycle lights are available in all variants. Front bicycle lights with this solution are characterized by a long burn time and increased lumen output. LED bicycle lights can have one, two, or more diodes, each producing varying lumen output. A front bicycle light typically has between 5 and 300 lumens. Of course, the former can only be used as a bicycle light in position mode, but it won't be effective while riding. Some LED bicycle lights can even produce 1500 lumens, which is usually suitable for off-road use when you need to see everything. A rear bicycle light usually has between 20 and 100 lumens, which is more than enough to ensure everyone sees you. It's worth considering that when mountain biking, it's crucial to have more extensive bike lighting. You can mount it on your helmet, handlebars, and backpack. An LED bike light used in more challenging conditions is often a headlamp, which focuses light where you're looking. This provides highly precise bike lighting, allowing you to spot any obstacles on the trail in time. A headlamp is also useful for city riding, but only as a supplement to your bike's lighting, not its primary component. The lumen output of your bike light depends on the specific activity you're engaging in. However, it's worth remembering that the more lumens, the more expensive the bike light is and the more energy it consumes.

Bicycle lights - waterproof level

Moisture, dust, and rain are the enemies of all electronics, so manufacturers protect bike lights against these elements. The standard defining this protection is called IPX (International Protection Rating). Bike lights typically have an IPX4 rating, which protects them against splashes and dust. These more advanced designs achieve higher ratings, but this also comes at a higher cost. The highest IPX rating is 8, which allows for use in rain. This waterproofness will prove indispensable on long treks when you're completely at your own risk and at the mercy of the weather.

Bicycle lighting – lighting modes

Bike lights also offer various lighting modes, which are useful in changing weather conditions. A steady mode is essential for riding, while a flashing mode is ideal when stationary. A front bike light should be on constantly while riding, but when resting, you can activate the flashing mode. A rear bike light, on the other hand, is most visible when using the flashing light. LED bike lights also offer a variety of lighting colors. Those for riding should be white, yellow, and red at the rear, but the ability to set a different color is useful for reading a map, for example. This allows you to adjust the bike light so it doesn't blind your companions and allows for easy route guidance. A front bike light also allows for smooth power adjustment, allowing you to adjust the lumen output to suit your lighting needs.

LED bicycle lamp in the form of a headlamp

By law, a front bicycle light cannot be replaced by a headlamp. However, a headlamp can be an excellent addition to your bike's lighting. You can wear a headlamp barehead or over a helmet, providing very precise, directional light. It's worth noting that some models can be clipped to your handlebars, where they can serve as a front bicycle light. Furthermore, a headlamp is versatile, so you can even take it with you on night hikes. Text: Marcin Denisiuk