Lights
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Lights and reflectors
Legally you must have lights and reflectors on your bike between sunset and sunrise, but what are these and how do you know which ones to buy? You can read more about the legal requirements here.
Reflectors
Before we get to lights, let’s talk about reflectors. These come in several different forms but they all have the universal property of reflecting light and making you or your bike more visible.
Pedal
Pedal reflectors are a legal requirement and come as standard to most bikes. They’ll normally be amber and will be on the front and rear of each pedal.
Spoke
3M make spoke reflectors which are a cheap way of lighting up your bike from the side. They’re easy to fit and make such a big difference when being seen from the side.
Rear
It’s a legal requirement to have a rear reflector on your bike. A lot of bikes will have one fitted as standard but if not they can be picked up pretty easily from local bike shops.
Ankle
You can purchase reflective ankle bands which have the dual purpose of preventing flapping trouser legs catching in the chain and making you more visible.
High ViZ
High visibility clothing is very much a cycling cliché but it is not a requirement to dress head to toe in neon colours to ride a bike.
That said, contrasting colours can help you to stand out during the day, and having reflective details on your clothing is useful in low light conditions. A reflective ankle band is a good idea as it moves with each pedal stroke and catches the attention of drivers more easily.
Lights
Lights fall into one of two categories. To see and to be seen. This refers to the intended use. If you are cycling under street lights then you only need lights for others to see you, but if you’re cycling in the countryside at night you need to be able to see where you’re going.
To See
To help you navigate pot holes and debris on poorly lit or unlit roads at night you’ll need stronger lights. These are measured in lumens and it’s worth doing some research into what you need before buying.
To be Seen
‘To Be Seen’ lights have a lower power output and are purely meant for others to see you. They can be flashing or static. You would use these when riding through urban street lit areas at night or in low light conditions.
Front lights
Front lights should be fitted in a place where you can easily operate them. You may want to swap from a flashing light to a static light at some point on your cycle. Check you can operate them with gloves on as well if cycling in winter.
Rear lights
Rear lights should be mounted on a part of your bike that is visible to other road users and not impeded by anything else on the bike. If you cycle with bags then make sure they aren’t masking your rear light.
power
In most cases, bike lights will be powered by batteries. Many lights will be chargeable batteries while others will have single use batteries. Always be prepared by either ensuring your lights are charged regularly or carrying spare batteries or back up lights.
Some bikes will be equipped with dynamo lights which charge as you ride, and many e-bikes will have lights powered by the bike battery.
