Bicycle Safety Lighting and Bike Reflectors

For all bicycle riders, proper lighting is a key safety requirement. In fact, in most jurisdictions bicycle lighting is required. Lights are particularly important to night riders, even when they are riding in well-lit areas. Reflectors are also recommended to help motorists see riders.
 
With so many lighting technologies available, riders can mix and match bike light products and reflectors to suit their bicycling needs.
 

Different Bicycle Safety Lights

Bike lights are powered either by batteries or an electrical generator called a dynamo. Batteries can be either rechargeable or disposable and have a limited duration based on battery life.
 
A dynamo, on the other hand, can provide unlimited power, but the lights powered by a dynamo typically put out a lower level of light. Dynamos are frequently chosen by touring cyclists who find carrying fresh batteries or battery chargers cumbersome.
 
What bicycle safety lights a bicyclist chooses depends on his personal preferences, amount of light needed and availability. Cyclists should also verify their jurisdiction's requirements for bicycle lighting. Some jurisdictions:
  • prohibit the use of flashing or pulsating lights
  • regulate the color of lights allowed
  • require lights to be certified to meet certain standards.

For a bicycle commuter, a common bike light setup might include these bicycle safety lights:

  • front: A flashing or pulsating light-emitting diode (LED) light that allows others to easily see the rider
  • front: A quartz halogen headlight powered by either batteries or a dynamo
  • rear: An LED taillight (either a steady light or a flashing, pulsating light).

LED Bike Safety Lights

LED lights offer an affordable, quality lighting options for bicyclists. White lights are generally used for headlights, while red or yellow LED flashers are used for taillights. LED lights can be relatively inexpensive and are powered by alkaline batteries or by a dynamo.
 
Depending on the frequency used and the intensity of the light, LED lights can last anywhere from a week to a year. Low-power LEDs can be used in well-lit areas. High-power LED lights have an option to dim, which can double the battery life.
 
Advantages of LED lights including the following:
  • efficient
  • inexpensive
  • long battery life when used in flashing mode
  • provide good visibility.

Disadvantages of LED lights include:

  • attractive to thieves
  • illegal in some jurisdictions
  • limited light output
  • shorter life with rechargeable batteries.

Halogen Bike Lights

Rechargeable halogen systems, originally used for off-road biking, have become more popular in recent years. These light systems are easy to find, come in varying levels of brightness and power and are very reliable.
 
The downside, however, is that rechargeable batteries for halogen bike lights can be heavy and have limited life. Such systems are not optimized for regular road use.

Bike Reflectors and Reflective Materials

For optimal visibility, bicycle reflectors and reflective materials are necessary for all cyclists. Reflectors and reflective tape increase a rider's visibility, particularly when placed on moving parts of the bike, such as the wheels or pedals. Riders should choose reflectors that are either amber, red or white to provide the greatest reflection.
 
Reflective gear or clothing also helps make bicyclists visible to nearby pedestrians and motorists. Reflective vests, gloves and reflective strips that are worn on the sleeves are popular among cyclists.
 
However, because reflectors and reflective materials do not produce light and are only visible when in a beam of light, reflectors and reflective materials are not substitutes for lights.

Reflectors typically follow this color code:
  • amber or red on the back of the bike
  • white on front the front of the bike.
Resource
 
Bike Expert (n.d.). Reflector Performance. Retrieved December 7, 2006, from the Bike Expert Web site.