Bike Lights Compared

Types of bike lights

Since the early days of cycling their have been constant attempts to improve upon the technology of bike lights; the days of candle lit lanterns strapped to the front of shaky wooden cycles is thankfully over and we can enjoy more choice than ever before. If you are not particularly technically minded, the array of bike lights available is quite mind-boggling. To simplify and further explore your choices there are various explanations of some of the more popular bike lights below.

LED bike lights

LED lights are a cheaper option than some alternatives and are considered particularly suited to those who do not ride their bicycles frequently. LED lights are suited for front and back use, a white LED light for the front of the cycle and a flashing LED for the back. It is only in relatively recent years that white LED bike lights have passed muster as far as regulations are concerned for the front of bicycles; in the past they were not considered suitable at all and current laws are in the process of taking new developments into account. When deciding which LED bike lights are suited to your needs, you need to consider the amount of time you spend on your cycle and under what conditions. Very low power LED lights are fine for riding in brightly lit Suburban Street during the evening but as their output is not large they would not be ideal for darker lanes and roads. For those who require a brighter lights it is now possible to run an LED light from a dynamo and it is possible to generate a very bright light even at a low speed.

Halogen bike lights

Rechargeable halogen bike lights are a very popular option for many regular cyclists. Once the preference of mainly off-road cyclists they have become a good choice for many urban cyclists because of their brightness and the fact that the rechargeable systems are good value for money. A drawback is that the wide and bright light can dazzle oncoming traffic; it is for this reason that it is important to check regulations.

HID bike lights

HID or High Intensity Discharge are extremely powerful bike lights, the brightest available on today’s market. They use a lot of power but the advantage of a rotationally symmetrical beam which is capable of illuminating as much space up as down. These lights are great for off road use and should they be used in a busy area then it is important to adjust the beam to avoid dazzling the oncoming traffic.

Additional bike lights

Some cyclists like to maximise their visibility by using supplementary safety gear and lights. High visibility clothing with reflective patches are popular as are arm and leg bands. Automatic turn signals which are worn on the hands and which react by flashing when the rider signals an imminent turn are a relatively recent development; there are also manually operated models available.

When choosing the lighting for your cycle, it is important to consider when and where you will be riding it, how often? Investing in the latest lighting can be a good move in certain circumstances. Safety on the road is after all paramount.