Bicycle LightsDefined #bikelights

Bike Lights Defined

What are Bike Lights?

Bike Lights or more properly known as Bicycle Lights are essential pieces of equipment for any cyclist who rides at night. They help with illuminating the pathway before you and lets others see where you are.

There are 3 types of bicycle lights,

• The “head”light, which can either help you be seen from far, or it could be used to help you see the road / path in front of you.

  

  Old Fashioned Head Light

   
• The “tail”light which is typically a blinking red LED light from the back. 

  

  Tail Lights
• And then there are the “visibility” lights which are used to illuminate the cyclist on the bike as he pedals past. Examples are the wheel lights which are put on the bike spokes, flashing lights worn on the cycling vest or on the bike handlebars. 

Some nice wheel lights

Here are good requirements for each type of lights

1. Visibility / Brightness
1. For Headlights, depending on what you would use it for :
2. At least 50 Lumens: For strobes to be seen by other road users.
3. At least 150 Lumens: To see the road ahead, for normal city, suburb commute by bike. 
4. 250 Lumens and up: for good visibility of the path / road ahead especially for long rides on dark roads, through woods.
2. Theft Proof / Mobile: Most bike lights are easy to put on and take off as they are rechargeable. If left on the bike, they are easy targets for thieves or the light fingered. So you would want either lights that are not easily detached from the bike, or lights which you can just pocket when you park the bike. 
1. Check out the Fortitude Defender, Aviator and Afterburner bike lights for some theft-proof lights.
3. Ease of Installation and ability to stay fixed in the direction that you put them. 
1. Some bike lights are fiddly and difficult to put on the bike without help.  Pick those that are easy to put on and take off (making sure they are easily portable).
2. Some lights are prone to slipping after being jiggled on the ride. Getting those lights with rubber grips helps alleviate this problem and helps to protect your bike’s finish.
4. Waterproof – obviously, biking is an outdoor sport and eventually you would be in the rain. Hence the bike lights should be water proof or at least rain proof. 
1. Have a look at the Night Owl series from Cycle Torch Products, now with a free tail light. 

Given the hassle of choosing which lights to buy, sometimes it makes life easier to just buy a set. An all inclusive one of a headlight, taillight and wheel lights gives you adequate lighting for everyday use. (For example this HeroBeam Bike Lights Double Set).