
Brighten Up Your Ride For Safety: Let's Talk Bike Lights
Visibility is one of the most important aspects of cycling safety. In large part, this means lighting. A well-lit bike can drastically reduce your chances of suffering an accident, especially in low-light conditions. Whether you’re riding during the day or night, equipping your bike with front and rear lights is essential for ensuring that you’re seen by drivers, pedestrians, and other cyclists.

Why Bike Lights Are a Must
Visibility can even be an issue during the day (especially in the UK!) as overcast weather, shaded streets, or busy traffic can all make it harder for drivers to spot you. Adding lights to your bike helps to make sure that you’re visible from a distance, which will give other road users enough time to see you and react safely to you being there.
You'll want both front and rear lights to make sure that you’re visible every which way. Bike lights become even more important at night or in poor weather conditions, of course. A bright front light illuminates your path ahead, which helps you to see potential obstacles – potholes, debris, sharp turns, road works, passing children, animals… the list goes on. Meanwhile, rear lights make sure that drivers and other cyclists can see you.

Consider Flashing
You should seriously consider using flashing lights for added safety, irritating as they may be to passing pedestrians. Flashing lights catch attention more effectively than constant beams (hence the irritation – they can be very hard on the retinas!). This can be particularly the case in traffic or on city streets where movement can easily blend into the background. A flashing rear light is especially useful for making sure drivers notice you from behind, while a flashing front light can help you stand out to oncoming traffic.
A combination of steady and flashing lights might be a good bet. You can use a steady beam to light the road and a flashing mode to make themselves more visible to others. This combination ensures that you can see and be seen, offering the best of both worlds. Safety is key.

Choosing the Right Lights
Brightness matters when selecting lights for your bike. Make sure that both your front and rear lights are bright enough to be seen from a distance no matter the conditions. Most bike lights are measured in lumens – in short, the higher the lumen count, the brighter the light. A front light with 200-500 lumens is usually enough for city riding, while rural or unlit areas may require a stronger light. Rear lights typically range from 20 to 100 lumens.
Rechargeable LED lights are a great option as they’re long-lasting and eco-friendly. Be sure to keep your lights charged and check them regularly to avoid dimming or even cutting out entirely during your ride.
