Getting the Best Lighting for All Types of Bikes

Bike lights are an essential part of bicycle safety for a number of reasons. At night and in poor lighting conditions, the front light will place an arc of illumination directly on your path that can help you identify obstacles in your way. This front light also makes your bike easy to be seen on the road for the easily identifiable area of illumination around the bike.

But, night time I not the only time when visibility is low and the bikers navigating cities, streets and highways can be hidden away in the smog, shadows and colors of the city. Those who intend to navigate these areas at any time of the day, should consider how the use of lighting and brightly colored fabric coverings can improve their visibility and safety on the road.

The following article will include an overview of the various best bike lights available to the avid cyclist and how they can be applied to keeping you safe from injury and worse.

Types of Bike Lights

Those cyclists who have been patiently pedaling for the last 30 years will tell you what a great age it is to be a cycler. The technology that supports biking has seen monumental expansion and development in the last few decades. Nowhere is this more evident than in the advancement of bike lights that have made the prospect of biking in all situations a far safer idea.

Advanced LED lights and sophisticated batter power supplies allow the modern biker extended usage and enough lumens to light up the hillside if needs be. Furthermore, the compact nature of batteries and LED lights has inspired safety lights of all types to ensure your transportation sticks out like a sore thumb, keeping you safe from careless motorists or other hazards on the road.

Choosing the Best Bike Lights for You

There are two color systems for bikes lights. You have the white lights used for illuminating the roads ahead and there are red, or sometimes yellow, lights used for identifying your presence on the roads. In some place there could be laws about the colors you place on your bikes, so check with your local authorities before making any colorful additions. Some of the identifying/visibility lights will have blinking features that maximize their functionality.

How Many Lights Do I Need?

The basic setup will include a light in the front, often attached to the handlebar or helmet, and one in the back. You will find many package deals that include this comprehensive pair. Nevertheless, you will want to consider the locations you will be riding and the need for visibility in the urban scene where greater visibility in traffic can keep the cyclist safe.

For those in the city, too much visibility is never enough. Consider supporting your headlights and taillights with a LED-fitted reflective vest and triangular pennant. Actually, you can go ahead and place the compact LED system and an army of reflective materials anywhere you would like on the frame, axles, pedals and more. Just remember, the most ostentatious bikes are also the prime target for thieves. A stalwart lock-and-chain security system is another “must-have” for any urban cyclist.

Mounting your Bike Lights

The bike lights you select will invariably come with the proper mounting systems that will allow them to be connected to the handlebars or seat rod of your bike. This typically includes a mounting piece that is screwed or bolted into position and holds the attachable light and battery pack securely while the bike is in motion.

You can also carry the headlamp on a fixture connected with the helmet which is a good idea for keeping your line of sight visible. You will want to remove your lights and any other valuable features of your bike while leaving it chained and unsupervised, or they won’t be there when you get back.

Brightness

The brightness of your bike headlamp is measured in lumens, which can be roughly translated as their capacity to illuminate subjects at different ranges. But, the design of the lamp’s lens and reflectors will play more important role in using these lumens effectively, no matter how many lumens are being shed on your path.

There are some lamps designed to shoot a straight beam of great intensity in a small circle far ahead. Other lamps have the opposite effect and cast a broad sweeping arc across the road or path directly in front of you. The best way to know what to expect from your bike lamps will be to rear the reviews found online and buy from reputable manufacturers.

Battery Life

Battery life is an important consideration when selecting your bike lamps and you will need to have a clear idea of your distances, riding times and charging schedules before you make the best selection for your needs. Most top-grade lamps come with an energy-saving intensity selector or, in the case of lights to signal location, a strobe or blinking feature.

Even better options will have an indicator that shows how much power is left. And for truly unpredictable biking activities, some lamps can be powered by your standard “AA” or “AAA” battery types.

Road vs. Mountain

If you are a dedicated MTB enthusiast, you will want to throw all your cash on improving your visual range as opposed to your visibility to motorists. The standard urban headlamp and tail lamp combo is changed for a double-headlamp conjunction. Typically, one on the helmet and one on the handle bar, sometimes two on the handlebar is a good idea as well.

The headlamp fastened to the bar should be chosen for a quality broad sweeping beam and the helmet mounted lamp for a long-distance precision beam. You will need the most output possible and don’t forget to consider long-lasting battery life or back up power sources as well.

In conclusion, there is no longer any fear of the dark for the modern streetwise cyclist. But, getting the most from your lamps will depend on how you use them. Don’t forget how important it is that motorists can see you and you can see where you are going. Stay safe and stay free.