Bicycle lighting

Buying advice for: Bicycle lighting

• Types of bike lights

  Bicycle lights are essential for road safety, especially in poor light conditions or in the dark. The most important types of bike lights are front lights, rear lights and side lights. Front lights are white and are mounted on the front of the bike to light the way and increase visibility for oncoming road users. Rear lights are red and are fitted to the rear of the bike to warn vehicles coming from behind. Side lights, often in the form of spoke lights or LEDs mounted on the pedals, increase visibility from the side and are particularly useful at junctions and in busy urban areas. There are also combination sets that include both front and rear lights and are often sold together.

• Bike light brands

  There are numerous brands that specialise in the manufacture of high-quality bike lights. The best known include Lezyne, Cateye, Knog, Busch & Müller and Garmin. Lezyne is known for its powerful and durable lights, which are often made from high-quality materials. Cateye offers a wide range of lighting solutions characterised by reliability and innovative technologies. Knog is known for its stylish and functional designs that blend in well with the overall look of the bike. Busch & Müller stands for German engineering and offers particularly bright and robust lights. Garmin, known for its GPS technology, also offers innovative lighting systems that are often compatible with other bike gadgets.

• Materials and workmanship

  The materials and workmanship of bike lights are decisive for their durability and performance. High-quality bike lights are often made of robust plastic or aluminium to ensure high resistance to impacts and weather conditions. The lenses are usually made of polycarbonate, a resistant material that ensures clear and bright light beams. Waterproofness is another important feature, especially for commuters who are out and about in all weathers. Many bike lights are therefore certified to IPX standards, which define resistance to water and dust. Workmanship plays a big part in ease of use, with well-designed brackets that allow for easy mounting and removal.

• Technical features

  Modern bike lights are equipped with numerous technical features that increase both safety and comfort. LED technology is now standard, as it offers high light output with low energy consumption. Many bike lights have different light modes, such as continuous light, flashing light and pulsed light, which can be adjusted according to requirements and surroundings. Rechargeable batteries are also widely available and offer a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to disposable batteries. USB charging capability makes recharging easy and flexible. Some models are equipped with intelligent sensors that automatically adjust the brightness to the ambient conditions to ensure optimum visibility at all times.